Coastal defense vessel support continues RICHMOND, British Columbia, May 17 (UPI) -- Canada's MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. will continue providing systems support for the country's coastal defense vessels. Its services come under a contract signed with SNC-Lavalin Defense Programs Inc., which designed and built the 12 Kingston class ships operated by the Canadian Department of National Defense. SNC-Lavalin Defense Programs Inc. recently received a government contract for in-service support for the vessels as part of the government's Minor Warships Auxiliary Vessels project. The primary mission of the vessels is coastal surveillance but they also perform search and rescue, fisheries and environmental monitoring, disaster relief and scientific research. "MDA has significant expertise in providing integrated ship systems and services," said MDA Vice President David Hargreaves. This contract extends our support of SNC-Lavalin and the navy for many years to come. Tony Thatcher, general manager of SNC-Lavalin Defense Programs Inc. said: "MDA has been a significant partner in the MCDV support since 1992. We are pleased with MDA's ability to continue to support the program in a manner that meets or exceeds our client's expectations in this significant project.