Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax has been awarded an $8-billion contract to start building new warships for the Royal Canadian Navy.

The contract will fund the first six years of construction for the initial three River-class destroyers.

It will also pay for the necessary training, spares and maintenance products needed to operate and support the ships.

Officials said a contract extension will follow as the ships are completed.

It is expected the total cost to build the three ships will be more than $22 billion. That also includes costs related to equipment, systems and ammunition for the ships.

National Defence Minister Bill Blair said this work will create more than 5,000 jobs in Halifax and across Canada.

“By investing in our own industry, Canadian workers are helping to build the fleet of the future, equipping the Navy and our members in uniform modern and versatile ships they need for Canada’s important contributions to peace and security at home, and abroad,” Blair said in a news release.

Officials said the new vessels will have enhanced underwater sensors, state-of-the-art radar and modern weapons.

The first three ships will be named His Majesty’s Canadian Ships Fraser, Saint-Laurent and Mackenzie after Canada’s most important waterways that reach the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic oceans.