Naval Technology

Daily Newsletter

06 October 2023

Daily Newsletter

Cohort subsidiary SEA expands to Canada after recent acquisition

Newly formed SEA Canada will deliver on the Canadian Surface Combatant programme and expanding strategic operations in the country.

John Hill October 06 2023

Systems Engineering and Assessment (Sea), a UK based defence supplier and subsidiary of the Cohort Technology Group, has launched in Canada after acquiring JSK Naval Support, a Montreal-based manufacturer.

The wholly owned subsidiary will now be known as ‘SEA Canada’ – a unified company that will leverage the collective expertise of both organisations to deliver on the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) programme, while also strategically expanding its business operations across the country.

SEA Canada will develop its skills and infrastructure resulting from work on CSC and increased legacy support business, and with support from SEA UK, will seek to grow the maritime defence business in Canada.

The newly formed company will further enhance its capabilities by expanding support, repair, and refurbishment services for minor sonars and related equipment on the Navy’s Victoria-class submarines previously carried out by JSK.

Formerly a joint venture set up by SEA and Kaycom in 2014, JSK won long-term contracts with the Canadian Government, the Royal Canadian Navy and others for projects based in the country.

Delivering for Canada

Richard Flitton, managing director at SEA, explained the decision to form the company: “Our creation of a full Canadian SEA subsidiary is aimed at upholding JSK’s legacy and providing the best naval technology to Canadian customers.”

Just after the announcement of the newly formed subsidiary, SEA Canada, the company has been included in the first tranche of Canadian companies invited to join Canada’s Team Vigilance Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Preferred Suppliers Program at the DEFSEC exhibition in Halifax between 3-5 October.

Team Vigilance aims to deliver a versatile and capable multi-mission OPV that can meet the demands of naval operations at home and abroad.

SEA’s global portfolio

SEA is currently working on various global contracts. In the South Pacific, before the decision to form the new Canadian company, New Zealand’s Ministry of Defence contracted SEA for $32.9m in early July to integrate a cost-effective, modular communications system on board the Navy’s two Anzac-class frigates.

Soon after, in early September, the company subcontracted RF Products to deliver a multi-mode, multi-band radio frequency system on the two warships.

Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) are beginning to see combat deployment

The recent introduction of hypersonic missiles into the global threat matrix has led some observers to consider the potential of DEW as an effective countermeasure to this emerging technology. Consequently, the DEW market presents significant potential for growth due to rising global demand and extensive opportunities for technological innovation, though the exorbitant cost of most DEW systems poses its own challenges, most notably higher financial risk during R&D as well as a relatively limited pool of viable customers.