Germany's Rheinmetall Defence has been contracted to equip the Canadian Navy's Halifax-class frigates with the MASS (multi ammunition softkill system) naval countermeasures system.
Under Canada's FELEX frigate modernisation program, a total of twelve frigates will be equipped with MASS as part of Project Shield.
Guided missiles pose a constant threat to naval vessels and civilian shipping. MASS protects ships from attacks with advanced, sensor-guided munitions on the high seas and in coastal waters as well as from asymmetric terrorist-type threats. If the ship is attacked, MASS fires decoy ammunition diverting the incoming missile from its intended target.
Fully automatic, MASS offers significant tactical, operational and logistical advantages, and can be installed on any type of ship. It can be integrated into all naval command and control systems, but can also operate in a stand-alone mode. Programmable and omni-spectral, the innovative ammunition used by MASS provides protection in all relevant wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Since its market launch in 2002, MASS has attracted orders from nine nations for a total of 130 launchers for 15 different classes of naval vessels.
Deliveries to the Canadian frigates will take place between 2010 and 2014.