The Royal Canadian Navy
Alan Goulding
???? Information Technology Senior Business Platform Analyst : Retired from Manulife. Family Historian and Biographer.
Part 3 of 6: Canada's Arctic Storm Rising
A series of articles shedding light on Canada's military status in defence of the nation's sovereignty.
Articles undergo constant updates, bookmark this webpage to always refer back for updated and/or new content.
An acknowledgment of the unified Armed Forces who safeguard Canada's airspace, open waterways, sovereign land mass and exclusive economic zones (EEZs) in the High Arctic region.
In the changing geopolitical climate reigning over the Arctic, there's increased frequency in activity by foreign actors looking to establish a stronger presence in this frigid inhospitable region.
Now more than ever, the unified branches of the Canadian Armed Forces have been called to exercise their presence in all three environments . . . . in the air, on the ground and along the waterways bordering Canada's northern Arctic Archipelago.
Three environments served by one force, agile and combat ready in the protection of Canada's sovereignty.
Canada's Arctic coastline represents 162,000 kms of sovereign territory defended through the enactment of the NORAD Agreement. The renewal of the NORAD Agreement in May 2006 added a maritime warning mission, which entails a shared awareness and understanding of the activities conducted in U.S. and Canadian maritime approaches, maritime areas and internal waterways.
Joint Task Force North (JTFN) is one of six regional joint task forces of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
The JTFN Commander has the authority to form mission-appropriate task forces. This includes tasking any and all CAF resources (Operation LIMPID) held in the AOR (Area of Responsibility) by the Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Navy.
NORAD and USNORTHCOM Strategic Vision & Posture Statement
Acknowledging NORAD for some time has lacked newer technologies permitting the system to perform effectively for the purpose it was originally designed, the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Joe Biden committed to a modernization of NORAD?during a virtual meeting held on February 23, 2021.
On March 15 2021, General Glen D. VanHerck, USAF, Commander NORAD and USNORTHCOM released The Strategic Vision for NORAD and USNORTHCOM.
The Strategic Vision is a combined strategy that shares a common goal in the defence of the United States and Canada, and one which aligns with objectives identified in the Interim National Security Strategic Guidance, National Defense Strategy, and Canada’s Strong, Secure, Engaged policy.
On April 14 2021, VanHerck presented the USNORTHCOM and NORAD Posture Statement to the House Armed Services Committee.
Guardians of Canada's Arctic Waters
The Royal Canadian Navy
In the changing geopolitical climate reigning over the Arctic, there's increased frequency in activity by foreign actors looking to establish a stronger presence in this frigid inhospitable region.
Canada's Arctic coastline represents 162,000 kms of sovereign territory defended through the enactment of the NORAD Agreement.
In May 2006 a Maritime Warning Mission was added to the NORAD Agreement.
The maritime warning mission, which brings forward a shared awareness and understanding of the activities conducted in U.S. and Canadian maritime approaches, maritime areas and the internal waterways of Canada's northern Arctic Archipelago.
Canada’s arctic coastline is vast, extending more than 176,000 km from the Yukon in the west to Labrador in the east, and encompasses more than 70% of all Canadian coasts.?
This necessitates the need for a robust naval force with the capability of operating at home in the Arctic's extreme ocean conditions, alongside the Canadian Coast Guard and allied naval partners
Vital to facilitating this capability is the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) project, which is just one part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, and involves the delivery of five to six ice-capable ships to the Royal Canadian Navy.
The Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships will serve to maintain an armed, sea-borne presence that ensures the enforcement of sovereignty in Canadian waters.
The Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel
HMCS Harry DeWolf?Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel was officially launched on 15 September 2018. HMCS Margaret Brooke?was launched on 10 November 2019.
The Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS), designated the Harry DeWolf-class, will enhance the Royal Canadian Navy’s ability to assert Canadian sovereignty in Arctic and coastal Canadian waters, and support international operations as required.
In August 2017 the Government of Canada awarded Thales Canada the contract for In-Service Support (ISS), refit, repair, maintenance and training for both the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) and Joint Support Ships (JSS).
Known as the AJISS for the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) and Joint Support Ships (JSS), the contract includes an initial service period of eight years for up to $800 million CAD with options to extend services up to 35 years, for a total value of $5.2 billion CAD, making it the largest ISS contract in Canadian history.
The six Harry DeWolf-class Arctic and Offshore Patrol ships are:
This is the first time in its history that the RCN has named a class after a prominent Canadian Navy figure. The remaining ships in the class will be named to honour other prominent Royal Canadian Navy heroes who served their country with the highest distinction. All ships in the Harry DeWolf class will be affiliated with the six Inuit regions in the North.
Integrated Bridge Navigation System (IBNS)
OSI Maritime Systems (OSI) was contracted in February 2024 for In-Service Support (ISS) for the RCN Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) Integrated Bridge Navigation System (IBNS).
The six Harry DeWolf-class ships will also serve as a major addition to the Canadian Coast Guard’s existing search and rescue capability.
The RCAF CH-148 Cyclone - Canada’s new main ship-borne maritime helicopter, provides air support to the Royal Canadian Navy. The Cyclone is one of the most capable maritime helicopters in the world.
The Canadian Surface Combatant
Fifteen new Canadian Surface Combatants (CSC) will ensure that Canada can continue to monitor and defend its waters and make significant contributions to international naval operations. These ships, built by Irving Shipbuilding Inc. at the Halifax shipyard in Nova Scotia, will be Canada’s major surface component of maritime combat power.
Currently, Ottawa estimates the cost of the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) project could be up to $60 billion.
Start of construction activities
28 June 2024 – Halifax, Nova Scotia: Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, was joined by Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and Dirk Lesko, President of Irving Shipbuilding Inc., as he announced the start of construction activities for Canada’s new fleet of Canadian Surface Combatants (CSC).
It was also announced that the new fleet of warships will be known as River-class destroyers, and the first three ships will be named His Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Fraser, Saint-Laurent, and Mackenzie.
Integrated Bridge and Navigation Systems (IBNS)
OSI Maritime Systems (OSI)
OSI Maritime Systems (OSI) of Burnaby, BC., announced in November 2023 the signing of a contract with Lockheed Martin Canada (LMC) to design the Integrated Bridge and Navigation Systems (IBNS) for the first three Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) Canadian Surface Combatants (CSC) based on the BAE T26 Global Combat Ship (GCS) design.
A Suite of Sonars for the CSC’s Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
Towed Low Frequency Active Sonar (TLFAS)
In February 2021 Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems Inc.?was awarded a subcontract?to provide the Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) system for the Canadian Surface Combatant program – named the Towed Low Frequency Active Sonar (TLFAS).
The subcontract moves the development of?the vessels suite of sonars for the?CSC’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability from the program definition phase to the full manufacture and delivery stage.
In the two years since having been originally awarded program definition studies for the?Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC), and working in close partnership with Lockheed Martin Canada and Irving Shipbuilding Inc., Ultra’s Canadian team grew by over 150 employees, with yet another 80 high-tech roles schedule to join.
Hull Mounted Sonar (HMS)
As a follow-on order?confirmed in October 2022, Ultra is to provide the?Hull Mounted Sonar from Lockheed Martin Canada Inc.?for the Canadian Surface Combatant with?an initial three ship set production order from Lockheed Martin Canada Inc. (Lockheed) for the supply of Hull Mounted Sonars (HMS) for the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) ship.
Remote Minehunting and Disposal System (RMDS)
In December 2022, Kraken Robotics signed a contract to deliver AquaPix-equipped remote minehunting disposal drones for the Royal Canadian Navy Minehunting Program.
Supported by Innovative Solutions Canada’s funding, they tested and delivered a sophisticated robotic sonar for the Navy.
The vehicles will be handed over to naval bases in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Esquimalt, British Columbia, and used for anti-mine warfare missions with partner nations and United Nations peace operations.
A brimful of missiles for the Canadian Surface Combatant
The new ships, which already sport an impressive arsenal, will include two types of point air defence missiles, and possibly Tomahawk cruise missiles.
CSCs armed with such an array of weaponry would provide the fleet autonomy in its ability to stand up an anti-access / area-denial deterrent in responding to challenges to the country's sovereignty and national security interests, particularly in Arctic territorial waters.
Naval Guns for the Canadian Surface Combatant
Leonardo will supply Lockheed Martin Canada with four OTO 127/64 LightWeight (LW) Vulcano naval guns, including the Automatic Ammunition Handling System (AAHS) as an optional solution, for the new Canadian Surface Combatants (CSC).
Operating in Ottawa, Ontario and Halifax, Nova Scotia, Leonardo DRS's interests and opportunities in Canada span from naval systems to helicopters to airport solutions to logistics. The company has been a trusted Canadian partner for more than 50 years, and with a complement of more than 400 employees in the country.
Imbedding the Canadian Royal Navy with multi-tier visibility and risk monitoring to mitigate systemic and adversarial disruptions from cyber, geopolitical, regulatory, catastrophes and other sub-tier supplier risks.
In a transformative collaboration, Interos announced on 17 January 2024 that it will deploy its cutting-edge supply chain risk intelligence to support Irving's commitment to delivering the new Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS), as well as the Canadian Surface Combatants, for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), and to two AOPS for the Canadian Coast Guard.
Combat Management System 330 (CMS 330)
Lockheed-Martin Canada's Combat Mission System (CMS 330) provides the Royal Canadian Navy with the operational ability to carry out multi-mission operations while defending its ships in an ever-evolving, threat environment.
Alongside a new suite of sensors and weapons, CMS 330 has proven successful integration with third party components - including Saab 9LV, Harpoon Block II, Thales Smart-S 3D radar, ESSM, and the Sea Ceptor missile system.
The system was also designed as a modern, affordable solution for mid-life upgrades in the international market.
CMS 330 serves as a backbone for Canadian Halifax Class frigates and Harry DeWolf Class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships.
It is also set to be the central system for upcoming Canadian ship classes, including the Canadian Surface Combatants, the Protecteur Class Joint Support Ships, and the Canadian Coast Guard variant of the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships.
Lockheed Martin Canada facilitated the smooth integration of upgraded systems on two New Zealand Anzac-class Frigates . . . HMNZS Te Mana and HMNZS Te Kaha.
Over twelve months of operations and testing in 2023, the Operational Testing and Evaluation of the Frigate Systems Upgrade project culminated in December with two successful test-firings of Sea Ceptor missiles from HMNZS Te Mana.
The ‘threats’ were uncrewed aerial platforms, two-metre long QinetiQ Air Affairs Australia Phoenix target drones simulating inbound missiles. One was aimed at Te Mana and, two days later, one was targeted away from Te Mana to replicate an attack on another vessel operating with the ship.
The ship’s Combat Management System identified and classified both threats and Sea Ceptor missiles were launched, intercepting and destroying the targets.
This test demonstrated that the frigates have an increased ability to both defend themselves and defend another ship.
All other aspects of the two frigates’ surveillance, counter measures, self-defence capability and Combat Management System were also successfully proven. The frigates move from a solely ‘defend self’ position to a ‘defend others’ capability.
According to the manufacturer, the 3.2-metre Sea Ceptor has a range in excess of 25 kilometres.
The VIGILANCE Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV)
In conjunction with Team Vigilance partner companies VARD of Norway (a Fincantieri Company), Ontario Shipyards, Thales Canada, SH Defense, and GeoSpectrum, VIGILANCE will provide the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) with a state-of-the-art, capable, operationally flexible, and globally deployable multi-mission naval offshore patrol vessel.
Under the second pillar of the Government of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy as a replacement for the Kingston Class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels, VIGILANCE will be designed, built, and equipped in Canada.
The vessel is intended for vital sovereignty missions with the interoperable capability for deployment globally.
Naval tactical missions supporting Arctic and Nordic operations
ARCTIC OPERATIONS
Operation NANOOK is a Northern Sovereignty operation
Members of Canadian and U.S. Special Operations Forces were embarked on HMCS Harry DeWolf during Operation NANOOK 2023 to exercise their ability to conduct joint and integrated operations in the complex and challenging Arctic environment.
HMCS Harry DeWolf was the only Canadian Navy vessel participating in the Operation NANOOK 2023, collaborating and conducting exercises with the Canadian Coast Guard and vessels from the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard and a French patrol craft.
NORDIC OPERATIONS
Exercise NORTHERN COASTS is one of the biggest exercises in the Baltic region with some 30 warships and 3,200 personnel from 15 nations in the Baltic Sea, primarily off the coasts of Estonia and Latvia.
Over two weeks commencing Saturday 9 September 2023, NATO Allies trained in amphibious operations, air defence strikes from sea to land, and securing sea lanes.
Described as realistic as possible, Rear Admiral Stephan Haisch of the German Navy was in charge of leading Exercise NORTHERN COASTS.
Standing NATO Maritime Group One and Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One participated in the manoeuvres, which involved personnel from Allies Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, the U.S. and NATO invitee Sweden.
Held annually, the exercise was run for the first time from Germany’s new Navy Command in Rostock.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has long been a critic of NATO and has tried to limit the Western military alliance’s expansion, especially to countries that used to be part of the Soviet Union such as the Baltic nations of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia who joined NATO in 2004.
The NORTHERN COAST exercises in the sea area off the coasts of Estonia and Latvia were under constant vigil by Russian vessels and aircraft whose personnel behaved as expected, with no provocation or escalation.
Russia's Ocean Shield 2023 exercises
The Ocean Shield-2023 exercises involved Russian forces practicing how to “protect sea lanes, transport troops and military cargo, as well as defend the coastline,” the Ministry of Defence stated.
The live-fire naval exercises that began Wednesday 2 August 2023 in the Baltic Sea, ratcheted up tensions with nearby European nations that were already high over NATO and Ukraine.
More than 200 combat exercises were conducted involving a force of some 6,000 personnel, 30 warships and boats, and 30 aircraft.
ICEX 2022
ICEX is a three week bi-annual multi-national military exercise in the Arctic led by the U.S. Navy.
The 2022 exercise began in the Arctic Ocean on Friday, 4 March 2022, after the building of Ice Camp Queenfish and arrival of two U.S. Navy fast attack submarines.
Ice Camp Queenfish was built on an ice sheet floating in the Arctic Ocean 160 nautical miles offshore, and included tents for sleeping, dining and managing exercise operations. ICEX 2022 allowed the Navy to test and evaluate its operational readiness in the Arctic, increase experience in the region, advance understanding of the Arctic environment, and continue to develop relationships with other services, allies and partner organizations.
In addition to the U.S. Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel who participated in the exercise, personnel from the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Canadian Navy and United Kingdom Royal Navy also participated.
领英推荐
ICEX 2024 - Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael Gilday has called for a massive international exercise in the Arctic.
The current state of Canada's existing naval fleet
Canada's fleet of Halifax-class multi-role patrol frigates
Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, the commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, has warned the force is in a "critical state," with ships that are beyond their life cycles and a severe shortage of sailors to operate them.
The 12 Canadian-built Halifax-class multi-role patrol frigates are considered the backbone of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).
Until the new surface combatants are ready, Topshee stated that the navy will need to extend the life of its Halifax class ships for at least another 15 years.
Halifax-class modernization and frigate life extension
The Halifax-class Modernization/Frigate Life Extension (FELEX) Program – was begun in 2010 and completed in 2016.
The refit is characteristic of naval ships, and most ships undergo modernization at the mid-point of their expected service.
The modernization added state-of-the- art equipment, including a new Integrated Platform Management System, a new command and communications systems, a new radar suite, and an upgraded surface-to-surface Harpoon missile system and new Sea Sparrow missiles.
This $4.3 billion refit brought the ships up to date, improved combat capability and interoperability, and ensured that the frigates remain effective throughout their service life that will extend into the mid-2030s
HMCS Vancouver's modernization included the addition of a flight deck, the ship can now embark with a helicopter and an air detachment.?
During Exercise JOLTEX 16, a training exercise conducted March 30 to April 1, 2016, by The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) at a United States Navy missile firing range off the coast of California, HMCS Vancouver was the first modernized Canadian frigate to successfully test surface-to-surface missiles against shore-based targets, and the first time in the history of the RCN that the Navy used a surface-to-surface missile launch capability in this way, using the Harpoon Block II missile.
Vice-Admiral Topshee further stated that keeping the Halifax class frigates at sea until at least 2040, years beyond the 30-year lifespan already reached, would be a "very considerable challenge."
The first of the new Canadian Surface Combatants (CSC) is expected to be delivered early in the 2030s, but each will require two to three years of trials and testing before it is ready for use.
Canada's?fleet of diesel powered submarines
Canada's?fleet of diesel powered submarines, acquired second-hand 20 years ago from the British Royal Navy, has not been participating in ICEX exercises.
The Royal Canadian Navy's HMCS Windsor, Victoria, Chicoutimi and Corner Brook are not designed for exercising in such harsh environments.?Being?diesel powered, the submarines must?come up for air periodically, unlike their nuclear powered counterparts which can remain under the Arctic ice for as long as a crew's food supply lasts.
The entire fleet of Victoria class submarines did not put to sea in 2020, being in dry-dock for repair, maintenance and long-term upgrades that are meant to ensure the submarines remain operational into the late 2030s or early 2040s. Sources peg the cost at more than $2 billion to keep them operating.
HMCS Corner Brook in particular has been severely impacted, with the vessel docked for extensive repairs and maintenance after striking bottom and damaging one of its main ballast tanks which ruptured during a test by Babcock Canada in the ocean off B.C. in 2011. A fire also broke out while it was docked in Victoria in August 2019 causing extensive damage.
Babcock Canada, had been contracted to maintain and repair the sub fleet since 2008. The government recently extended Babcock's contract to 2023.
However, in a March 2020 pressure test of the submarine's ballast tanks, the test team attempted to empty the tanks more quickly using pressured air, leading to over pressurization and a rupture. A full repair was deemed uneconomical and was repaired enough for the submarine to return to service in mid-2021 whilst under constant monitoring.
HMCS Windsor is the only one of four of Canada's four Victoria-class submarines that has been to sea since 2021, logging 43 days in 2022 and 14 in 2023.
HMC Submarine Corner Brook commemorated the 20th anniversary of the submarine’s commissioning by visiting its namesake city June 25-29 2023.
The submarine is expected to remain in service for another nine years following the refit.
Victoria-class Modernization Project
The Government of Canada has committed to modernizing and operating the Victoria-class into the mid-to-late 2030s.
New Submarine Acquisition Project
Aiming at enhancing the Royal Canadian Navy's operational capabilities, the Canadian government is currently pursuing a new submarine acquisition project to replace the four Victoria-class submarines.
Proposal of a German, Norwegian and Canadian submarine building program
In June 2024 it was reported that?Canada was being courted for a joint German-Norwegian Thyssenkrupp-made 212CD class submarine program.
News of this came following a meeting?on Friday?May 10, 2024?in Ottawa between Canadian Minister of Defence Bill Blair and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius in which Pistorius proposed a strategic maritime partnership with Canada and Norway aimed at bolstering defense infrastructure in the Arctic.
"Let us initiate a trilateral strategic maritime partnership with a focus on securing sea lines of communication through the northern Atlantic and Arctic,"?Pistorius said.
Both ministers underscored the urgency of securing the increasingly accessible Arctic regions against external threats, particularly from Russia and China.?The initiative intended to be an umbrella for joint activities.
Speaking to a group of reporters and analysts in Stockholm four days later on Monday May 14th, Simon Carroll , President of Saab Canada, was quoted as saying of the language used in Canada’s Defence Policy Update (DPU) regarding the replacement of Canada’s submarines . . .
Hanwha Ocean of Korea
A Hanwha Ocean of Korea press release in June 2024 announced the signing of a Teaming Agreement and MOUs with three Canadian partners: CAE Inc., Curtiss-Wright Indal Technologies, and GASTOPS.
Hanwha Ocean, a leading company representing South Korea, is globally recognized for its exceptional submarine technology. It is the fifth country in the world to export submarines and the eighth to independently develop 3,000-ton class submarines.
The navy has acknowledged it’s short of sailors, stating that 503 submariners are required to run the fleet. It acquired 140 between 2019 and 2022 and only half had completed basic qualifications by October 2023.
New modern galley facilities for Canada's four Victoria-Class Submarines.
In a highly competitive bid process COTA Aviation Ltd. was awarded a contract in December 2023 to design and deliver new modern galley facilities for Canada's four Victoria-Class Submarines (VCS).
Partnering with industry leaders Smart Galley Designs, Dawich Technical Solutions, and Babcock Canada Inc., COTA Aviation is set to usher in a new era of capabilities, with a dedicated emphasis on elevating crew health, comfort, safety and cooking.?
Track a Royal Canadian Navy ship
The Royal Canadian Navy currently has 28 trackable ships. Track a specific RCN ship at "Cruising Earth" and view the ship's current location and additional details such as the recent track, speed, course, next port destination, estimated time of arrival (ETA) and more.
Canadian submarines cannot be tracked as they do not broadcast their location.
The Protecteur class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) ships
The Protecteur-class auxiliary oiler replenishment (AOR) ships, HMCS Protecteur and Preserver, first introduced into service in 1969 were used by The Royal Canadian Navy to resupply ships at sea with food, munitions, fuel and spare parts.
On 19 September 2014, Vice-Admiral Mark Norman of the Royal Canadian Navy announced the retirement of both replenishment (AOR) ships, along with the Iroquois class destroyers HCMS Iroquois and Algonquin.
Since then the Navy has been leasing replenishment vessels from other navies, and converted a civilian container ship to a replenishment vessel.
Future Protecteur class Joint Support Ships
The future Protecteur-class Joint Support Ships will provide vital capability to the Royal Canadian Navy.
The two new ships are currently under construction with the first, the future His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Protecteur, expected to be delivered to the RCN in 2025. Protecteur will be the lead ship of the class, and the second will be named HMCS Preserver. Protecteur will remain on the West Coast, with Preserver destined for Halifax.
Joint Support Ship (JSS) - Project Summary.
Imbedded groups / units that ensure onboard protection and security
The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) relies on various groups and units within its organization to ensure that its ships and personnel are protected, both at home in Canada and around the world.
The 2024 Navy Bike Ride
Registration for the 2024 Navy Bike Ride will be opening soon!
This is an opportunity for you to support Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, and their families.
Check out the Navy Bike Ride Peer to Peer Toolkit to get started.
Sign up for training in one of the many sea trades and learn what it is to be part of a crew aboard one of the fleet’s state-of-the-art frigates, support vessels, maritime coastal defence vessels or submarines, and sail on operations and exercises that can take you along Canada’s coastlines or into international waters.
Commodore Marie Thérèse Josée Kurtz . . . leading the way for women in The Royal Canadian Navy.
Homes for Heroes Foundation: Stand up for Them
Canadian Coast Guard commitments in the Arctic
The 2023 annual icebreaking season in Arctic waters, which began in June and ran into August, saw eight Coast Guard icebreakers deployed over the season in support of northern communities and the fulfillment of operational and program commitments.
Arctic nations deepen coast guard cooperation
Despite growing tensions between Russia and NATO in Eastern Europe, the coast guard heads of eight Arctic nations, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Russian Federation and the United States,?agreed?at a ceremony held in Boston on June 10, 2016 to the signing of a new joint statement that deepens collaboration of the countries in the north using a combined operational module.
New Polar Icebreakers
Overview
The two Polar Icebreakers will:
Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) will design and build the new Polar Icebreaker, the flagship of the Canadian Coast Guard’s icebreaking fleet.
6 May 2021 – As part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), the Government of Canada announced that Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) had been selected for the design and build the first of two Polar Icebreakers.
The new ship construction program sustains approximately 1,400 jobs at Seaspan’s Vancouver shipyard and 1,400 additional jobs in the marine industry across the country.
8 February 2024 – Seaspan successfully completed construction of the ‘Prototype Block’ for Polar Icebreaker.
The first Polar icebreaker is expected to be in service by 2030.
Chantier Davie Canada Inc. awarded contract to begin work on the development of the initial design for the second Polar Icebreaker.
26 March 2024 - The first National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) contract for initial work related to the design of the six-ship fleet of Canada’s future Icebreakers was awarded to Chantier Davie Canada Inc. (DAVIE) of Lévis, Quebec.
This major milestone marks the beginning of DAVIE’s NSS work package to replenish Canada’s Arctic fleet and each initiative under the contract will help advance upcoming design, construction, delivery and support phases for these strategic ships.
Under this $19.6-million contract including taxes, Chantier Davie will begin work to develop the initial design.
The initial $8.5 billion package of work includes the second of two Polar Icebreakers, and six heavy and medium icebreakers replacing those of the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) that operate in Atlantic Canada, the St. Lawrence waterways, the Great Lakes and Pacific Canada during the winter, and in the Arctic during the summer.
Based in Québec, Canada since 1825, Davie is a world-class designer and builder of specialist, mission-critical ships such as icebreakers, ferries and warships for government and commercial customers.
DAVIE became a partner in the Government of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy on April 4, 2023.
DAVIE is a part of Group Davie, which in November 2023 acquired Finland’s Helsinki Shipyard, the world leader in icebreaker design and construction.
Finland, the U.S. and Canada intensify their icebreaker collaboration
11 July 2024: In a joint statement, Finland, the U.S. and Canada resolved to deepen their close collaboration and cooperation through ICE Pact, an agreement in the production of best-in-class icebreakers.
The partnership between the three countries has been established to encourage demand for icebreakers to be channelled to shipyards in the participating countries for the benefit of all parties.
Announcement of ICE Pact comes following a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Report in May 2024 on the U.S. Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter Program which faces substantial cost overruns and delays until 2029.
Partnership agreement finalized.
13 November 2024 - Canada signs new partnership agreement with United States and Finland to produce Arctic and polar icebreakers.
The United Kingdom in the Arctic
Britain offers Canadian military help to defend the Arctic
While Canada and the UK already have an extensive defence relationship in the Arctic and UK policy emphasizes the European High North, there are multiple opportunities for further bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
In the Policy Paper "Looking North: the UK and the Arctic" published 9 February 2023, the UK government sets out its approach to the Arctic, and provides an update to the UK Arctic policy framework.
UK language around freedom of navigation and The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) differs from Canada’s, however, and Canada should be attentive to its possible application to the Northwest Passage in ways that could undermine Canada’s longstanding position on sovereignty over its historic internal waters.
There is a new dawn rising in the Arctic
The Inuit plan to reclaim their sea
The Arctic environ that Inuit have lived in for millennia is changing rapidly. The Government of Canada having long ignored Indigenous knowledge of the region is now jointly creating the Nunatsiavut Conservation Area.
While traditional knowledge has allowed Inuit to survive in this harsh environment for so long, the climatic conditions they rely on are changing quickly. Since 1950, Nunatsiavut has lost 40 days of ground snow a year. Its sea ice is vanishing faster than anywhere in the Canadian Arctic.
Canada's Arctic Storm Rising
Part 1 of 6:
Part 2 of 6:
The Royal Canadian Airforce - Guardians of our Northern airspace
Part 3 of 6:
The Royal Canadian Navy - Guardians of Canada's Arctic Waters
Part 4 of 6:
The Canadian Army and Canadian Rangers - Guardians of our Territorial Lands
Part 5 of 6:
Part 6 of 6: