Washington Marine Group (WMG) announced the signing of a Teaming Agreement with Thales Canada forming a strategic alliance to provide the Government of Canada a single solution for the future build and in service support of the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS). The AOPS program is worth over $2b dollars, delivering six ice breaking patrol vessels to the Canadian Navy, as part of the Federal Government’s National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS). It will provide 700 to 800 skilled jobs to BC shipbuilders and 40 to 60 high technology jobs, in Ontario.
WMG is currently supplying in service support for the Canadian submarine fleet, Mid Life extension for Canadian Patrol Frigates, and building Motorized Lifeboats for the Canadian Coast Guard. Previously, WMG has built ORCA training vessels, Coast Guard Motorized Lifeboats, RCMP Patrol vessels, and buoy tenders and ice breakers for the Canadian Coast Guard.
The AOPS is one of the initial programs forming part of the $40b Federal Government’s NSPS. WMG’s goal is to form a Centre of Excellence to supply programs to meet the needs of the NSPS.