List of current ships of the Royal Canadian Navy

Ensign of Royal Canadian Navy since 2013

The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) is tasked to provide maritime security along the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic coasts of Canada, exercise Canada's sovereignty over the Arctic archipelago, and support Canada's multi-national and bilateral interests overseas. It comprises the Pacific Fleet at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt, and the Atlantic Fleet at CFB Halifax. CFB Esquimalt is on Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, and is home to 15 vessels and 6,000 staff, the headquarters for Maritime Forces Pacific, His Majesty's Canadian (HMC) Dockyard Esquimalt, Fleet Maintenance Facility – Cape Breton (FMF-CB), Fire Fighting and Damage Control School, the Naval Officer Training Centre (NOTC Venture), and extensive housing. CFB Halifax is home port for the 18 vessels of the Canadian Atlantic Fleet and situated in Halifax, Nova Scotia. CFB Halifax employs 7,000 civilians and military staff, and hosts the Canadian Atlantic Fleet headquarters, HMC Dockyard Halifax, FMF Cape Scott, extensive maritime research facilities, an ammunition depot, and the four maritime squadrons of the Royal Canadian Air Force that deploy helicopters aboard ships. ^{[1] [2]} The Canadian Armed Forces are currently constructing a new naval facility at Nanisivik, Baffin Island, to provide a summer port for RCN patrols in the Canadian Arctic. ^[3]

With the loss of area air defence capabilities in 2015 (and, temporarily, at-sea replenishment capabilities), the RCN was, at that time, classified as a Rank 5 navy (offshore regional coastal defence) on the Todd-Lindberg navy classification system, dropping from Rank 3 (multiregional power projection). ^[4] Commissioned vessels are designated as 'His Majesty's Canadian Ship' (HMCS), minor ships as 'Patrol Craft Training' (PCT) and auxiliaries as 'Canadian Forces Auxiliary Vessel' (CFAV). ^[5]

Submarines

HMCS Corner Brook entering St. John's harbour, Newfoundland

The Victoria class are British-built diesel-electric fleet submarines designed in the late 1970s to supplement the Royal Navy's nuclear submarine force. They were decommissioned at the end of the Cold War. In 1998, Canada purchased the submarines to replace the aging Oberon-class submarines. Refit for Canadian service included the removal of sub-Harpoon missile firing and mine-laying capabilities, installation of torpedo launch systems and upgrades to weapons and fire control systems. Each vessel holds 53 crew. ^[6]

Class	Boat	Pennant	Armament	Displacement	Propulsion	Service
						Builder	Laid down	Commissioned	Fleet
Upholder/Victoria class	HMCS Victoria	SSK 876	6 × 533 mm torpedo tubes 18 × Mark 48 torpedoes	2,220 t surfaced 2,439 t submerged	Diesel-electric (37 MW (50,000 hp)) 2 Paxman Valenta 16 RPA diesel generators, 4,070 hp (3,030 kW) 2 GEC, 5,000 kW (6,700 hp) motor-generators	Cammell Laird	12 August 1987	December 2000	Pacific
	HMCS Windsor	SSK 877				Cammell Laird	13 March 1990	October 2003	Atlantic
	HMCS Corner Brook	SSK 878				Cammell Laird	10 January 1989	March 2003	Pacific
	HMCS Chicoutimi	SSK 879		2,296 t surfaced 2,540 t submerged		Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering	February 1983	September 2015	Pacific

Frigates

HMCS Fredericton, a Halifax-class frigate

The Halifax-class frigates are multi-role vessels with anti-submarine, anti-aircraft and anti-ship capability. In response to recent global security interests, the role of the class has shifted from open ocean to littoral engagement. Innovations in operational tactics have allowed the vessels of this class to adapt to new asymmetric surface threats. To ensure effective long-term capacity in this new threat environment the ships are underwent a refit, including passive and active weapons, radars, and new combat architecture to meet the modern requirements. As of 2018, all twelve ships had been refitted. Each holds a complement of 225 officers and crew. All ships of the class are named after major Canadian cities. ^{[7] [8]}

Class	Ship	Pennant	Armament	Displacement	Propulsion	Service
						Builder	Laid down	Commissioned	Fleet
Halifax class	HMCS Halifax	FFH 330	24 Honeywell Mk 46 torpedoes 16 Evolved Sea-Sparrow SAM 8 RGM-84 Harpoon SSM 1 57 mm Bofors Mk2 gun 1 20 mm Vulcan Phalanx CIWS 6 .50-caliber machine guns 1 CH-148 Cyclone	3,995 t (light) 4,795 t (operational) 5,032 t (deep load)	2 LM2500 gas turbines 1 SEMT Pielstick diesel engine	Saint John Shipbuilding	19 March 1987	29 June 1992	Atlantic
	HMCS Vancouver	FFH 331				Saint John Shipbuilding	19 May 1988	23 August 1993	Pacific
	HMCS Ville de Québec	FFH 332				Davie Shipbuilding	16 December 1988	14 July 1994	Atlantic
	HMCS Toronto	FFH 333				Saint John Shipbuilding	22 April 1989	29 July 1993	Atlantic
	HMCS Regina	FFH 334				Davie Shipbuilding	6 October 1989	29 December 1993	Pacific
	HMCS Calgary	FFH 335				Davie Shipbuilding	15 June 1991	12 May 1995	Pacific
	HMCS Montréal	FFH 336				Saint John Shipbuilding	8 February 1991	21 July 1994	Atlantic
	HMCS Fredericton	FFH 337				Saint John Shipbuilding	25 April 1992	10 September 1994	Atlantic
	HMCS Winnipeg	FFH 338				Saint John Shipbuilding	20 March 1993	23 June 1995	Pacific
	HMCS Charlottetown	FFH 339				Saint John Shipbuilding	18 December 1993	9 September 1995	Atlantic
	HMCS St. John's	FFH 340				Saint John Shipbuilding	24 August 1994	16 June 1996	Atlantic
	HMCS Ottawa	FFH 341				Saint John Shipbuilding	29 April 1995	28 September 1996	Pacific

Offshore patrol ships

HMCS Harry DeWolf under construction, May 2018

The Harry DeWolf-class offshore patrol vessels are warships from the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) procurement project, part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy. In July 2007 the federal government announced plans for acquiring six to eight icebreaking warships for the RCN. The class is based on the Norwegian Coast Guard ship NoCGV Svalbard, and is named after Vice Admiral Harry DeWolf. The class is equipped with a hangar and flight deck and can operate the Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone. The ships can deploy with multiple payloads, including shipping containers, underwater survey equipment or landing craft and have a 20-tonne (20-long-ton; 22-short-ton) crane for loading and unloading. They are for use in the Arctic regions of Canada for patrol and support within Canada's exclusive economic zone. ^{[9] [10] [11]}

Class	Ship	Pennant	Armament	Displacement	Propulsion	Service
						Builder	Laid down	Commissioned	Fleet
Harry DeWolf class	HMCS Harry DeWolf	AOPV 430	1 × BAE Mk 38 25 mm (0.98 in) gun 2 × M2 Browning machine gun	6615 t	Diesel-electric 2 shafts 2 × 4.5 MW (6,000 hp)	Irving Shipbuilding	11 March 2016	26 June 2021 [12]	Atlantic
	HMCS Margaret Brooke	AOPV 431					29 May 2017	28 October 2022 [13]	Atlantic
	HMCS Max Bernays	AOPV 432					5 December 2018	3 May 2024	Pacific
	HMCS William Hall	AOPV 433					17 February 2021	16 May 2024	Atlantic

Maritime coastal defence vessels

HMCS Nanaimo and HMCS Saskatoon, two Kingston-class maritime coastal defence vessels

The Kingston-class coastal defence vessels are multi-role vessels built and launched from the mid- to late-1990s and are crewed by a combination of Naval Reserve and Regular-Force personnel. Each vessel displaces 970 t and runs with a complement of between 31 and 47 officers and crew. Their main missions are counter narcotics, coastal surveillance, sovereignty patrol, route survey, and training. The ships' capabilities include a mechanical minesweeping system, a route survey system, and a bottom object inspection vehicle. ^{[14] [15]}

Class	Ship	Pennant	Armament	Displacement	Propulsion	Service
						Builder	Laid down	Commissioned	Fleet
Kingston class	HMCS Kingston	MM 700	2 × M2 machine guns	970 t	2 × Jeumont DC electric motors 4 × 600VAC Wärtsilä SACM V12 diesel alternators	Halifax Shipyards	12 December 1994	21 September 1996	Atlantic
	HMCS Glace Bay	MM 701				Halifax Shipyards	28 April 1995	26 October 1996	Atlantic
	HMCS Nanaimo	MM 702				Halifax Shipyards	11 August 1995	10 May 1997	Pacific
	HMCS Edmonton	MM 703				Halifax Shipyards	8 December 1995	21 June 1997	Pacific
	HMCS Shawinigan	MM 704				Halifax Shipyards	26 April 1996	14 June 1997	Atlantic
	HMCS Whitehorse	MM 705				Halifax Shipyards	26 July 1996	17 April 1998	Pacific
	HMCS Yellowknife	MM 706				Halifax Shipyards	7 November 1996	18 April 1998	Pacific
	HMCS Goose Bay	MM 707				Halifax Shipyards	22 February 1997	26 July 1998	Atlantic
	HMCS Moncton	MM 708				Halifax Shipyards	31 May 1997	12 July 1998	Atlantic
	HMCS Saskatoon	MM 709				Halifax Shipyards	5 September 1997	5 December 1998	Pacific
	HMCS Brandon	MM 710				Halifax Shipyards	6 December 1997	5 June 1999	Pacific
	HMCS Summerside	MM 711				Halifax Shipyards	28 March 1998	18 July 1999	Atlantic

Patrol & training vessels

Wolf

Orca-class patrol vessels are primarily used for one-to-six-week long 'at sea' naval officer training. Regular force boatswains, engineers and naval communicators serve in these ships to train junior officers and non-commissioned sailors. They also patrol coastal waters for pollution infractions and fishing violations, and are frequently tasked for search and rescue operations. They operate year-round in the coastal waters of British Columbia. ^{[16] [17]}

Class	Ship	Pennant	Armament	Displacement	Propulsion	Service
						Builder	Accepted	Fleet
Orca class	Orca	PCT 55	Unarmed (fitted for but not with M2 machine gun)	210 t	2 × Caterpillar 3516B diesel engines, 1,900 kW (2,500 hp) each	Victoria Shipyards	9 November 2006	Pacific
	Raven	PCT 56					15 March 2007
	Caribou	PCT 57					31 July 2007
	Renard	PCT 58					13 September 2007
	Wolf	PCT 59					29 November 2007
	Grizzly	PCT 60					19 March 2008
	Cougar	PCT 61					2 October 2008
	Moose	PCT 62					27 November 2008

Support and auxiliary vessels

MV Asterix arrives at Pearl Harbor, June 2018

Interim auxiliary replenishment vessel

• MV Asterix

Sail training ships

HMCS Oriole is the oldest commissioned ship in the navy.

• HMCS Oriole (KC 480)
• HMSTV Goldcrest (KC 2355)
• HMSTV Tuna (KC 2372)

Torpedo and sound ranging vessels

• CFAV Sikanni (YTP 611)
• CFAV Stikine (YTP 613)

Yard diving tenders

• Unnamed (YDT 11)
• CFAV Granby (YDT 12)
• CFAV Tonnerre (YDT 21)
• CFAV Sechelt (YDT 610)
• CFAV Sooke (YDT 612)

Fireboats

• CFAV Firebird (YTR 561) – retired in 2014 and awaiting disposal
• CFAV Firebrand (YTR 562)

Tugboats

• CFAV Glendyne (YTB 640)
• CFAV Glendale (YTB 641)
• CFAV Glenevis (YTB 642)
• CFAV Glenbrook (YTB 643)
• CFAV Glenside (YTB 644)
• CFAV Tillicum (YTM 555)
• CFAV Lawrenceville (YTL 590)
• CFAV Parksville (YTL 591)
• CFAV Listerville (YTL 592)
• CFAV Merrickville (YTL 593)
• CFAV Marysville (YTL 594)

Naval Large Tugboats

• CFAV Haro
• CFAV Barkerville
• CFAV Canso
• CFAV Stella Maris

^[19]

Yard auxiliary general

• CFAV Pelican (YAG 4)
• CFAV Gemini (YAG 650)
• CFAV Pegasus (YAG 651)
• CFAV Albatross (YAG 661)
• CFAV Black Duck (YAG 660)

Development and procurement

The National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy will invest more than $60 billion into the development of Arctic capable patrol vessels, frigate-class surface warships, and long-range auxiliary supply vessels. Delivery has been initiated on a class of six Harry DeWolf-class vessels under the Arctic Patrol Ship Project (AOPS). (A further two AOPS are planned for the Canadian Coast Guard). ^{[20] [21]}

Submarines

Canada has been encouraged to invest in new submarines. ^[22] In July 2024, Canada launched the process to acquire up to 12 conventional attack submarines. ^[23]

Potential suppliers:

• Germany and Norway offered to Canada a collaboration on the Arctic defence and the Type 212CD submarine. ^[24] Canada signed a letter of intent to establish a maritime partnership, but it does not commit Canada to the purchase of the Type 212CD. ^[25]
• South Korea approached Canada to supply its submarine to Canada. ^[25]
• Sweden with Saab expressed interest in participating to a potential competition. ^[25]

Frigates

While up to 15 warships of the River-class destroyer program is in the test module construction phase (with the first three ships having been ordered in 2024), the RCN has upgraded all current frigates with advanced systems and life extension maintenance to maximize operational capability into the 2030s. ^[26]

Auxiliary fleet

Supply ship

The new Protecteur class of ships will be based on the German Berlin-class replenishment ship

The commercial containership MV Asterix is currently in service as a fleet supply vessel, to meet operational requirements until the two new Protecteur-class auxiliary vessels are completed. ^{[27] [28]}

Tugboats

On 29 April 2019 Ocean Industries was awarded a contract to build four tugboats to replace both the Fire-class fireboat (one retired in 2014) and Glen-class tugs to be delivered beginning in 2021. ^[29]

Aircraft

Unmanned aerial vehicles

In May 2019, it was announced that the Skeldar V-200 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) would be acquired for both the RCN and Canadian Special Forces. As a light helicopter UAV, it will be capable of operating from a range of RCN vessels. ^[30] In addition, in 2024 the Teal 2 small quadcopter for light intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) tasks was acquired, while the RCN ISTAR project is expected to introduce a larger, longer-range UAV. ^{[31] [32]}

Glossary

Displacement	Ship displacement at full load
Propulsion	Number of shafts, type of propulsion system, and top speed generated
Service	The dates work began and finished on the ship and its ultimate fate
Laid down	The date the keel began to be assembled
Launched	The date the ship was launched

See also

• Origins of the Royal Canadian Navy
• History of the Royal Canadian Navy
• List of ships of the Royal Canadian Navy
• Hull classification symbol (Canada)
• His Majesty's Canadian Ship
• List of aircraft of the Royal Canadian Navy

References

1. "Royal Canadian Navy". Government of Canada. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
2. Gimblett, Richard. "Royal Canadian Navy". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
3. Bird, Michael (4 March 2015). "Making waves: The Navy's Arctic ambition revealed". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
4. Gilmore, Scott. "The Sinking of the Canadian Navy". Maclean's. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
5. "Fleet & Units | Royal Canadian Navy". Government of Canada. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
6. "Submarines". Government of Canada. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
7. "Halifax class". Government of Canada. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
8. "Halifax Class Frigates". Naval Technology. Kable. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
9. "Arctic and offshore patrol ships". Government of Canada. 13 March 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
10. "Harry DeWolf-class Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ship Factsheet" (PDF). Department of National Defence. January 2015.
11. Pugliese, David (16 January 2015). "Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships to be constructed in three "mega blocks"". Ottawa Citizen.
12. Melanson, Ryan (25 June 2021). "HMCS Harry DeWolf: RCN to commission first new ship in over two decades". Government of Canada. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
13. "His Majesty's Canadian Ship Margaret Brooke commissioned into service" (Press release). Government of Canada. 28 October 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
14. "Kingston class". Government of Canada. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
15. Saunders, Stephen, ed. (2008). Jane's Fighting Ships 2008–2009 (111th ed.). Surrey: Jane's Information Group. p. 95. ISBN   978-0-7106-2845-9. OCLC   225431774.
16. "Fast tests keep new Canadian navy training ships on schedule". Diesel Progress North American Edition (April 2007).
17. "Orca Class". Government of Canada. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
18. Macpherson, Ken (2002). The ships of Canada's naval forces 1910–2002. St. Catharines, Ontario: Vandall. ISBN   1-55125-072-1.
19. Mallett, Peter (17 February 2022). "More powerful tugboats coming to Auxiliary Fleet". The Lookout. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
20. Rogers, Sarah (6 March 2015). "Nanisivik naval fuel station postponed until 2018: National Defence". Nunatsiaq News. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
21. Bird, Michael (4 March 2015). "Making waves: The Navy's Arctic ambition revealed". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
22. "Canada urged to buy new submarines capable of operating in the Arctic". The Globe and Mail. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
23. "Canada launching process to acquire up to 12 conventionally-powered submarines". canada.ca (Press release). Department National Defence. 10 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
24. Brewster, Murray (20 June 2024). "Canada, Germany and Norway discussing a security pact to cover the North Atlantic and Arctic". CBC News. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
25. Brewster, Murray (10 July 2024). "Canada confirms plan to replace submarine fleet at NATO summit". CBC News. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
26. "Halifax-Class Modernization (HCM) / Frigate Life Extension (FELEX)". National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces. Archived from the original on 2 August 2016. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
27. Rosamond, Jon (4 October 2015). "Canada turns to Asterix for stop gap at-sea support". IHS Jane's 360. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
28. "Future Protecteur class". Government of Canada. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
29. Pugliese, David (29 April 2019). "Ocean Industries to build four tugs for the Royal Canadian Navy". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
30. Ball, Mike (8 May 2019). "Canadian Armed Forces Select UMS Skeldar V-200 UAS". unmannedsystemstechnology.com. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
31. Van Buul, Bradley (19 April 2024). "RCN introduces new unmanned aircraft". The Lookout. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
32. "Royal Canadian Navy Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance Unmanned Aircraft System - Defence Capabilities Blueprint". Government of Canada. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2024.

Bibliography and further reading

• Blatherwick, F.J. (1992). Royal Canadian Navy Honours, Decorations, Medals, 1910–1968. FJB Air Publications, New Westminster.
• The Canadian Navy List 1914 to 1945. King's Printer, Ottawa.
• Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben (2006) [1969]. Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy (Rev. ed.). London: Chatham Publishing. ISBN   978-1-86176-281-8.
• Dittmar, F.J.; College, J.J. (1972). British Warships, 1914–1919. Alan, London.
• Douglas, W.A.B.; et al. (2004). No Higher Purpose: The Official Operational History of the Royal Canadian Navy in the Second World War, 1939–1943. Volume II, Part I. Vanwell, St. Catharines.
• Douglas, W.A.B.; et al. (2007). A Blue Water Navy: The Official Operational History of the Royal Canadian Navy in the Second World War – 1943–1945, Volume II, Part 2. Vanwell, St. Catharines.
• Gimblett, Richard H., ed. (2009). The Naval Service of Canada 1910–2010: The Centennial Story. Toronto: Dundurn Press. ISBN   978-1-4597-1322-2.
• Gimblett, Richard H.; Hadley, Michael L., eds. (2010). Citizen Sailors: Chronicles of Canada's Naval Reserve. Toronto: Dundurn Press. ISBN   978-1-55488-867-2.
• Johnston, William; Rawling, William G.P.; Gimblett, Richard H.; MacFarlane, John (2010). The Seabound Coast: The Official History of the Royal Canadian Navy, 1867–1939. Vol. 1. Toronto: Dundurn Press. ISBN   978-1-55488-908-2.
• Macpherson, Ken; Barrie, Ron (2002). The Ships of Canada's Naval Forces 1910–2002 (Third ed.). St. Catharines, Ontario: Vanwell Publishing. ISBN   1-55125-072-1.
• Milner, Marc (2010). Canada's Navy: The First Century (Second ed.). Toronto: University of Toronto Press. ISBN   978-0-8020-9604-3.
• Office of Naval Intelligence (1944). Index to Warships of the British Commonwealth (PDF). US Government Printing Office.
• Tucker, Gilbert (1952). The Naval Service of Canada: Its Official History. Vol 2: Activities on Shore During the Second World War. King's Printer, Ottawa.