SEA Canada opens new facility for TLS production

SEA Canada, the domestic arm of the UK-based SEA Group and Cohort plc, has formally opened a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Ottawa as it gears up to meet the requirements of the Canadian Navy. The new SEA Canada facility in the nation’s capital will be a centre of excellence for torpedo and decoy launcher production, the September 29 press release states. 

Specifically the site will serve as the primary manufacturing hub for the company’s naval launcher solutions, which include its Torpedo Launcher System (TLS) and the Ancilia trainable decoy launcher. The Canadian Navy ordered the TLS for its River Class frigates, which are based on the Type 26, through JSK Naval Support. At the time of selection, in 2021, JSK was 50% owned by SEA, with the remainder owned by Kaycom Inc. SEA acquired Kaycom’s 50% share in November 2021 and the contract for the TLS was finally awarded in 2024. 

The new site marks a significant expansion of SEA Canada and its ability to deliver high-tech systems to both regional and international customers. The facility is equipped with advanced production technologies that align with the company’s global standards for quality and environmental sustainability, according to the press release.

The factory’s initial focus is the delivery of the firm’s £15.1 million contract to supply the TLS for the Royal Canadian Navy’s flagship modernisation effort: the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) programme. This project, which will see the introduction of up to 15 new next-generation frigates (referred to as the River-class), is central to the RCN’s future combat capability.

“The opening of this facility marks a major milestone for both SEA Canada and defence manufacturing in the nation’s capital,” said Keith Cunnane, General Manager at SEA Canada. “We’re proud to contribute to regional economic growth and job creation, while also supporting Ottawa’s reputation as a centre for innovation and advanced manufacturing.” Mr Cunnane added that the increased capacity to deliver these systems would “further cement our position as a trusted global supplier of innovative and flexible countermeasure capabilities.”

The TLS, manufactured at the new centre of excellence and supported by a robust Canadian supply chain, is a weapon-agnostic and configurable solution. Its design enables it to fire all NATO-compatible standard lightweight torpedoes, a feature that offers navies crucial supply chain flexibility and choice over their ammunition suppliers.

Richard Flitton, Managing Director at SEA Group, commented on the broader strategic implications, stating that the new Ottawa site “represents a significant step forward for SEA Canada – expanding our manufacturing capabilities and strengthening customer service and support offer across Canada and North America.” Following the domestic contract, the facility is expected to quickly pursue global export opportunities for the systems.

Calibre comment: The River Class

The Canadian vessel programme for which SEA Canada is delivering the Torpedo Launcher System (TLS) is the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) programme. This is the Royal Canadian Navy’s next-generation frigate/destroyer class, based on the BAE Systems Type 26 Global Combat Ship. The ships were offered by BAE in partnership with Lockheed Martin and will carry a variant of the AN/SPY-7 radar, which is also being delivered to Japan and Spain. Contracts for three ships have been placed so far with the possibility of 15 being built in total. 

It is an immense programme, and despite contracts being awarded for the design in 2018, production only started in 2025, with the first of class expected in service in the 2030s. All 15 ships are projected to have been delivered by 2050. There is a long road to travel before that stage, but SEA Canada is demonstrating its commitment in the opening of its new site, and the expectation that further orders will follow. If the £15.1 Million contract awarded in January 2024 was for three launcher sets, then it could expect up to £75 million in revenue from the domestic Canadian market alone out to 2050. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on October 3, 2025. The lead image shows the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new facility. From left to right is are Keith Cunnane, General Manager at SEA Canada, Cathy Curry, City Councillor for Kanata North Ward, MPP George Darouze, British High Commissioner to Canada, Robert Tinline, Julia Whalvin, Finance & Commercial Director at SEA Canada, and Richard Flitton, Managing Director at SEA Canada. Credit is SEA Canada.