Ontario Construction News staff writer
Construction is underway on a land-based testing facility intended to support the Royal Canadian Navy’s future River-class destroyers, according to the Department of National Defence.
The Land-Based Test Facility (LBTF) is being built on Department of National Defence property at Hartlen Point in Eastern Passage, N.S. Construction began in November 2025 and is scheduled to be completed in early 2028.
PCL Construction of Dartmouth, N.S., is the contractor for the project. DND said construction activity is expected to sustain about 200 jobs over the course of the build.
“Having the right infrastructure in place to support a modern naval fleet is mission critical. This facility represents an important step in the River-class destroyer project,” said David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence. “Once completed, it will play a vital role in bringing the new ships into service and preparing our personnel to work with the incoming ship systems.
“Beginning construction on this testing facility is another step forward in providing our Canadian Armed Forces with the capabilities required to protect Canada’s sovereignty.
The facility will be used to integrate, test and commission combat systems for the River-class destroyers before those systems are installed on the ships. DND said the complexity of the systems requires land-based testing to reduce technical risk during ship construction.
Design work on the LBTF progressed alongside the design of the River-class vessels, with early site preparation starting in 2023. Completed work to date includes road access, grading, extension of municipal services, culvert installation, excavation and backfilling, and concrete work such as footings, foundations, retaining walls and elevator and stair shafts.
The project site covers about 10 hectares and includes the main testing facility, access roadways, security infrastructure and a stormwater outfall control trench. The main building will span 12,567 square metres across two floors and a topside, with additional gatehouse and guardhouse structures.
Hartlen Point was selected for the project because it is federally owned, meets security requirements and allows for testing over open water. The location provides a 130-degree transmission arc over the ocean, which DND says is required for testing combat systems. The department noted the facility will not be used for weapons testing.
The LBTF is the first major shore-based infrastructure project tied to the River-class destroyer program. Additional facilities, including jetties, warehouses and training buildings, are expected to be required as the program advances.
Canada plans to procure 15 River-class destroyers to replace the navy’s Halifax-class frigates and the retired Iroquois-class destroyers. Defence Construction Canada is acting as the contracting authority for the LBTF project.
