John Baird: Canada's freedom agenda - Diplomat Magazine

The NEW FLEET|Di spatchesCourtesy BMT Fleet Technology and STX Canada MarineVessel type and category: Arctic/offshore patrol shipsBuilding location: HalifaxConstruction time frame: 2012-2019Number of vessels: Six to eightDetails: Six to eight Arctic/offshore patrol ships, like the one shown in the rendering above, will be commissioned. They are a new complement.These ships will conduct armed sea-borne surveillance in Canada’s waters, including the Arctic Ocean. They are meant to enhanceOttawa’s ability to assert Canadian sovereignty and provide surveillance and support to other government departments, DFO and the CoastGuard.Vessel type and category: CombatantsBuilding location: HalifaxConstruction time frame: Not specifiedNumber of vessels: 15Details: These Canadian surfacecombatants will replace three destroyers,such as the HMCS Athabaskan, shownhere, and 12 frigates used by the RoyalCanadian Navy. The destroyers are thelarger of the warships in the naval fleetand are used for command and control inthe operating theatre. They are run by 280crew members, including air detachment.The frigates are smaller, more nimble inthe water and considered the backbone ofnaval operations — holding crew of 225,including air detachment. While all thenew vessels will be based on a common,single-hull design that is the same size, thefrigate and destroyer variants will be fittedwith different weapons, communications,surveillance and other systems, the detailsof which have yet to be determined. DJacek Szymanski/ NAVY Public Affairs.diplomat and international canada 45