More on new Dutch version of Joint Support Ship

It looks almost as if a post here in November 2009,

Dutch moving forward on their version of Joint Support Ship

has been read by a journalist:

As the Canadian Navy’s Joint Support Ship remains stalled, the Royal Netherlands Navy is moving ahead with the construction of its own similar vessel.

The Royal Netherlands Navy has signed a contract for the construction of its JSS with Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS) slated to build the vessel. The JSS will replace HNLMS Zuiderkruis, a supply ship more than three decades old.

Canada’s JSS project is still in limbo, waiting for the Harper government to move on producing a national shipbuilding strategy. Canadian defence industry representatives told Defence Watch on Friday that they expect the shipbuilding strategy to be completed by the spring. “There are indications it’s coming by the end of the first quarter,” said an industry official said...

The difference between the Canadian and Dutch JSS is in the procurement approach. The Dutch vessel's hull will be built at the Damen shipyard in Galati, Romania, with the rest of the construction in the Netherlands.

Canada’s JSS fleet would be built entirely in Canada.

The JSS was originally announced in 2004 by the Martin government but the focus on Afghanistan diverted DND's attention to equipment issues related to that war.

As a result, JSS went on to the backburner for a bit. It did eventually proceed, only to derail in August 2008 after industry failed to meet the government’s specifications within the allotted budget.

“We’re pretty much ready to be talking to the [defense] minister about what we need to do to advance the JSS so we’re ready to go,” Vice-Admiral Dean McFadden told Defence Watch in the summer [more on the admiral here].

Below: Artist's concept of Dutch JSS.

If Afghanistan was instrumental in the JSS delay--and I doubt it (more here)--it's worth noting that quite a few other major projects very active in 2006 still have not led to contracts--see four of them here. To my mind the main reason for delays is actually the demand for Canadian industrial pork, along with the inability of Canadian industry to provide capabilities required for the funds government has allocated--which do not appear so far to have been affected by the Afghan mission (though current budget problems may soon have a major impact).

Lots more here on the JSS from the Navy League (via Spotlight on Military News and International Affairs).