All Topics  
Canadian Forces Maritime Command

 
Canadian Forces Maritime Command

 
   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link
 

 

Canadian Forces Maritime Command
 
 
  Topics Canadian Forces Maritime Command Topic Home

"MARCOM" redirects here. For the historical (1936–1950) U.S. agency, see United States Maritime Commission
United States Maritime Commission

The United States Maritime Commission was an independent executive agency of the US Federal government that was created by the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, passed by Congress on June 29, 1936 and replaced the U.S....
.
Canadian Forces Maritime Command (MARCOM), also known as the Canadian Navy, is the maritime force
Navy

A navy is the branch of a nation's military forces principally designated for naval warfare and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions....
 of the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces

The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces." This singular institution consists of thre...
. While equal in rank and position, The Chief of the Maritime Staff takes precedence over the Chiefs of the Land and Air Staffs following the tradition of the Royal Navy
Royal Navy

The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British Armed Forces . From the mid-18th century until well into the 20th century, it was the most powerful navy in the world, playing a key part in establishing the British Empire as the dominant world power from 1815 until the early 1940s....
.

MARCOM is the descendant of the Royal Canadian Navy
Royal Canadian Navy

The Royal Canadian Navy was the navy of Canada from 1911 until 1968 when the three Canadian services were unified to form the Canadian Forces. The modern Canadian navy is known as Canadian Forces Maritime Command ....
 (RCN) which was Canada
Canada

Canada is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean....
's naval service from 1910 until 1 February 1968.






Discussion
Ask a question about 'Canadian Forces Maritime Command'
Start a new discussion about 'Canadian Forces Maritime Command'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Encyclopedia


"MARCOM" redirects here. For the historical (1936–1950) U.S. agency, see United States Maritime Commission
United States Maritime Commission

The United States Maritime Commission was an independent executive agency of the US Federal government that was created by the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, passed by Congress on June 29, 1936 and replaced the U.S....
.
Canadian Forces Maritime Command (MARCOM), also known as the Canadian Navy, is the maritime force
Navy

A navy is the branch of a nation's military forces principally designated for naval warfare and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions....
 of the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces

The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces." This singular institution consists of thre...
. While equal in rank and position, The Chief of the Maritime Staff takes precedence over the Chiefs of the Land and Air Staffs following the tradition of the Royal Navy
Royal Navy

The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British Armed Forces . From the mid-18th century until well into the 20th century, it was the most powerful navy in the world, playing a key part in establishing the British Empire as the dominant world power from 1815 until the early 1940s....
.

MARCOM is the descendant of the Royal Canadian Navy
Royal Canadian Navy

The Royal Canadian Navy was the navy of Canada from 1911 until 1968 when the three Canadian services were unified to form the Canadian Forces. The modern Canadian navy is known as Canadian Forces Maritime Command ....
 (RCN) which was Canada
Canada

Canada is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean....
's naval service from 1910 until 1 February 1968. Prior to 1910, the Royal Navy
Royal Navy

The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British Armed Forces . From the mid-18th century until well into the 20th century, it was the most powerful navy in the world, playing a key part in establishing the British Empire as the dominant world power from 1815 until the early 1940s....
 provided the maritime defence of Canada. In 1968, the RCN was merged with the army
Canadian Forces Land Force Command

Land Force Command , often also called the Canada Army, is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Forces.The current size of Land Force Command is 19,500 regular soldiers and 16,000 reserve soldiers, for a total of around 35,500 soldiers....
 and air force
Canadian Forces Air Command

Canadian Forces Air Command , also known as the Canadian Air Force, is the air force element of the Canadian Forces. AIRCOM is the descendant of the Royal Canadian Air Force , which was Canada's air force from its foundation in 1924 until February 1, 1968....
 to form the Canadian Armed Forces. MARCOM's ship
Ship

A ship is a large watercraft that floats on water. Ships are generally distinguished from boats based on size. Ships may be found on lakes, seas, and rivers and they allow for a variety of activities, such as the ferry or cargo ships, fishing, cruise ship, Coast guard, and warship....
s are commissioned as Her Majesty's Canadian ship
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship

The designation Her Majesty's Canadian Ship , is applied as a prefix to any Canadian Forces warship. In the reign of a monarch, the designation changes to His Majesty's Canadian Ship; the French language version of the title remains unchanged in this instance....
s, and the initialism
Acronym and initialism

Acronyms, initialisms, and alphabetisms are abbreviations that are formed using the initial components in a phrase or name. These components may be individual letters or parts of words ....
 HMCS designates them as the ships of Her Majesty's Canadian Armed Forces.

With its headquarters in Ottawa
Ottawa

Ottawa is the Capital of Canada. The city has population of 812,000, the List of the 100 largest municipalities in Canada by population municipality in the country and second largest in Ontario....
, Ontario
Ontario

Ontario is a Provinces and territories of Canada located in the Central Canada part of Canada, the largest by population and second largest, after Quebec, in total area....
, MARCOM has command and control of three formations:

  • Maritime Forces Atlantic
    Maritime Forces Atlantic

    In the Canadian Forces, Maritime Forces Atlantic is responsible for Canadian Forces Maritime Command fleet and operations in the Atlantic Ocean and Arctic Ocean....
     (MARLANT) comprises the Canadian Fleet Atlantic, and has responsibility for Canada's Atlantic Area of Responsibility including the eastern Arctic. MARLANTHQ is based at CFB Halifax
    CFB Halifax

    Canadian Forces Base Halifax is Canada's east coast navy base and home port to the Atlantic Ocean fleet, known as Maritime Forces Atlantic.It is presently the largest Canadian Forces Base in terms of the number of posted personnel and is formed from an amalgamation of military properties situated around the strategic Halifax Harbour in No...
     in Halifax, Nova Scotia
    Nova Scotia

    Nova Scotia is a Canadian Provinces and territories of Canada located on Canada's southeastern coast. It is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada....
    .
  • Maritime Forces Pacific
    Maritime Forces Pacific

    In the Canadian Forces, Maritime Forces Pacific is responsible for Canadian Forces Maritime Command fleet and operations in the Pacific Ocean....
     (MARPAC) comprises the Canadian Fleet Pacific and has responsibility for Canada's Pacific Area of Responsibility that includes the Western half of the Canadian Arctic. MARPACHQ is based at CFB Esquimalt
    CFB Esquimalt

    Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt is Canada's west coast navy base and home port to the Pacific Ocean fleet, known as Maritime Forces Pacific.It occupies approximately 41 km? at the southern tip of Vancouver Island on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, in and around the municipality of Esquimalt, British Columbia, just west of the provincial...
     near Victoria
    Victoria, British Columbia

    Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia. Located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is a major tourism destination seeing more than 3.65 million visitors a year who inject more than one billion dollars into the local economy....
    , British Columbia
    British Columbia

    British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's Provinces and territories of Canada and is famed for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu ....
    .
  • The third formation is Naval Reserve Headquarters (NAVRESHQ) located in Quebec City, Quebec that is responsible for 24 Naval Reserve Divisions across the country.


History

For history before 1968, see Royal Canadian Navy
Royal Canadian Navy

The Royal Canadian Navy was the navy of Canada from 1911 until 1968 when the three Canadian services were unified to form the Canadian Forces. The modern Canadian navy is known as Canadian Forces Maritime Command ....
.
MARCOM was formed on 1 February 1968 following the amalgamation of the three branches of the Canadian military — the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army, and the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force

The Royal Canadian Air Force was the air force of Canada from 1924 until 1968 when the three branches of the Canadian military were merged into the Canadian Forces....
. The headquarters for MARCOM was based at CFB Halifax, alongside its regional subsidiary MARLANT.

Canadian sailors exchanged their RCN uniforms for a rifle-green uniform common to all services (known as "CF green") and adopted an army-based rank structure. Only cap and collar badges identified "naval" personnel. These policies were somewhat reversed in the 1970s when MARCOM returned to a naval-based rank structure. In 1987 the Canadian Armed Forces introduced its Distinctive Environmental Uniforms (DEUs) for its three environmental commands. The new naval uniform was broadly similar to the former RCN uniform except that officers' uniforms contained six rather than eight buttons on the front of the tunic and the "square rig" for other ranks was not re-introduced. In addition, the executive curl on officers' rank insignia was omitted and the rank insignia of other ranks continued to follow the pattern used by the army.

The 1968 unification of the Canadian Armed Forces was the first time a nation with a modernized military had combined sea, land, and air branches into a unified-command structure. The move also saw the fleet air arm of the RCN become the Maritime Air Group. These air units were eventually placed under the Canadian Forces Air Command
Canadian Forces Air Command

Canadian Forces Air Command , also known as the Canadian Air Force, is the air force element of the Canadian Forces. AIRCOM is the descendant of the Royal Canadian Air Force , which was Canada's air force from its foundation in 1924 until February 1, 1968....
 (AIRCOM) after that command was created in 1975.

In the mid-1990s, MARCOM headquarters were consolidated from Halifax at NDHQ
Department of National Defence Headquarters (Canada)

The Department of National Defence Headquarters is the headquarters for Canada's Department of National Defence and is located in Ottawa, Ontario, Ontario....
 in Ottawa at the same time that AIRCOM headquarters moved from Winnipeg and LFC headquarters moved from Saint-Hubert, Quebec
Saint-Hubert, Quebec

Saint-Hubert is a Boroughs of Longueuil in the city of Longueuil, Quebec, located in the Mont?r?gie of Quebec, Canada. It had been a separate city prior to January 1, 2002, when it along with several other neighbouring South Shore municipalities were Municipal reorganization in Quebec into Longueuil....
.

Re-structure

Hmcs Toronto (ffh 333) 3
Following the 1968 unification, MARCOM undertook several changes to its force structure. The sole remaining aircraft carrier
Aircraft carrier

An aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a navy force to project air power great distances without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations....
, , was nearing the end of her service life, being a Second World War–era vessel. In the early 1970s, it was decided to pay Bonaventure off and not find a replacement, instead focusing on the traditional blue-water navy
Blue-water navy

The term blue-water navy is a colloquialism used to describe a Navy capable of operating across the Deep sea of open oceans. While what actually constitutes such a force remains undefined, there is a requirement for the ability to exercise sea control at wide ranges....
.

The fleet was enhanced in 1972 with the addition of the four new Iroquois-class destroyers, also known as the Tribal class. By the mid-1970s, the navy was looking at a new class of frigate-helicopter (FH) vessels to replace the aging St. Laurent
St. Laurent class destroyer

The St. Laurent class destroyer was a class of destroyers that served the Royal Canadian Navy and later the Canadian Forces from the mid-1950s to the mid-1990s....
, Restigouche
Restigouche class destroyer

The Restigouche class destroyer was a class of destroyers that served the Royal Canadian Navy and later the Canadian Forces from the late-1950s to the late-1990s....
, Mackenzie
Mackenzie class destroyer

The Mackenzie-class destroyer was a class of warships that saw service with the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Forces from the 1960s-1990s....
, and Annapolis
Annapolis class destroyer

The Annapolis class destroyer escort was a class of ships that saw service with the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Forces from the 1960s-1990s....
 classes. This design evolved into the Canadian Patrol Frigate (CPF), which was promised by the government in the early 1980s during a period of increased military spending. By the late 1980s, with construction of the first six vessels underway (by now called the Halifax-class frigates), construction of six further vessels was announced. Nine of the twelve CPF vessels were built at Saint John, New Brunswick
Saint John, New Brunswick

Saint John is the largest city in the province of New Brunswick, and the oldest incorporated city in Canada. In 2006 the city proper had a population of 68,043....
, and the remaining three were built at Lauzon, Quebec
Lauzon, Quebec

Lauzon is a former city in southern Quebec, Canada, located on the St. Lawrence River northeast of L?vis, Quebec. Founded in 1910, Lauzon had a population of about 14,500 when it merged with L?vis, Quebec in 1989....
.

The mid-1980s saw the announcement of the Tribal Update and Modernization Program (TRUMP), which saw the four early-1970s Iroquois-class destroyers updated into area air-defence destroyers. The update saw these vessels become the first non-US ships to carry the Standard SM-2
RIM-66 Standard

The RIM-66 Standard MR is a medium range surface-to-air missile originally developed for the United States Navy . The SM-1 was developed as a replacement for the RIM-2 and RIM-24 Tartar deployed in the 1950s on a variety of USN ships....
 anti-aircraft missile.

The 1990s saw the addition of the Kingston-class coastal defence vessels which enhanced MARCOM's minesweeping and route survey capabilities. Manned by naval reservists, the Kingston-class is also used for training.

Action post-1968

MARCOM provides vessels for Standing Naval Force Atlantic and for exercises off Norway
Norway

Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a constitutional monarchy in Northern Europe that occupies the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula....
 in support of Canada's defence obligations for northern Scandinavia
Scandinavia

Scandinavia is a historical and geographical subregion in northern Europe that includes the Scandinavian Peninsula. It consists of the kingdoms of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark; some authorities also include Finland and some might even include Iceland....
 under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), patrols the north Atlantic and Pacific oceans in support of Canadian sovereignty, and is tasked by NATO with anti-submarine
Anti-submarine weapon

An anti-submarine weapon is any one of a range of devices that are intended to act against a submarine, and its crew, to destroy the vessel or to destroy or reduce its capability as a weapon of war....
 patrols for the northwest Atlantic.

In August–September 1990, MARCOM hurriedly modernized and deployed the Restigouche-class destroyer escort , the Iroquois-class destroyer , and the supply ship to the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf

The Persian Gulf, in the Southwest Asian region, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. Historically and commonly known as the Persian Gulf, this body of water is sometimes Persian Gulf naming dispute referred to as the Arabian Gulf by certain Arab countries or simply The Gulf, although nei...
 in support of Operation Desert Shield
Gulf War

"Persian Gulf War" and "First Gulf War" redirect here. For other uses, see Persian Gulf War .The Persian Gulf War was a United Nations-authorized military conflict between Iraq and a Coalition of Gulf War from 34 nations commissioned with expelling Iraqi forces from Kuwait after Iraq's Invasion of Kuwait of Kuwait in August 1990....
 and later Operation Desert Storm, where these vessels were involved in escort duties of various coalition naval forces and non-combatants.

During the mid to late 1990s, MARCOM provided vessels for a NATO task force patrolling the Adriatic Sea
Adriatic Sea

The Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges....
 off the former Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia

File:LocationYugoslavia2.pngYugoslavia is a term that describes three political entities that existed successively on the Balkan Peninsula in Europe, during most of the 20th century....
. As part of Operation Apollo
Operation APOLLO

Operation APOLLO was the codename for an operation conducted by Canadian Forces in support of the United States in its War in Afghanistan ....
, Canada's military contribution to the international campaign against terrorism, 20 MARCOM vessels have been patrolling in the Arabian Sea
Arabian Sea

The Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on the east by India, on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by Arabian Peninsula, on the south, approximately, by a line between Cape Guardafui, the north-east point of Somalia, Socotra, Kanyakumari in India, and the western coast of Sri Lanka....
 in recent years.

Today's fleet

The current fleet contains thirty-six ships and submarines plus many more supply and support vessels. The fleet is roughly evenly split between the Atlantic and Pacific commands with the Atlantic housing the larger of the two fleets. MARCOM participates in NATO
NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization , also called the Atlantic Alliance, is a military alliance established by the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty on 4 April 1949....
 exercises, and ships are deployed all over the world in support of the Canadian military and in conjunction with multinational deployments.

Sea King
H-3 Sea King

The Sikorsky Aircraft SH-3 Sea King is a twin-engined anti-submarine warfare helicopter. It served with the United States Navy and other forces, and continues to serve in many countries around the world....
 helicopters embark to provide anti-submarine patrols, search and rescue, and reconnaissance. CP-140 Aurora
CP-140 Aurora

The Lockheed CP-140 Aurora is a Canadian Forces Air Command patrol aircraft . The aircraft is based on the Lockheed P-3 Orion airframe, but mounts the electronics suite of the S-3 Viking....
 surveillance aircraft also support MARCOM operations. None of 12 Wing Shearwater (or its Patricia Bay operating location), 14 Wing Greenwood or 19 Wing Comox belong to MARCOM, all of which report to AIRCOM
Canadian Forces Air Command

Canadian Forces Air Command , also known as the Canadian Air Force, is the air force element of the Canadian Forces. AIRCOM is the descendant of the Royal Canadian Air Force , which was Canada's air force from its foundation in 1924 until February 1, 1968....
 through 1 Canadian Air Division
1 Canadian Air Division

1 Canadian Air Division is the operational-level command and control formation of the Canadian Forces' Canadian Forces Air Command .Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, 1 Cdn Air Div is also the headquarters for the Canadian NORAD Region and commands all 13 wings of AIRCOM and oversees the monitoring of Canada's airspace in support of the nation'...
.

Ships of Maritime Command


Class or nameBuilderTypeQuantityYear Entered ServiceDetails
Halifax
Halifax class frigate

The Halifax-class frigate is a class of multi-role patrol frigates that have served the Canadian Forces since 1992.The class is the name for the Canadian Patrol Frigate Project, which dates to the mid-1970s....
 		 Saint John Shipbuilding
Saint John Shipbuilding

Saint John Shipbuilding was a Canada shipbuilding company located in Saint John, New Brunswick, New Brunswick. It operated from 1923-2003....
, MIL-Davie Shipbuilding
MIL-Davie Shipbuilding

MIL-Davie Shipbuilding is a shipbuilding company in Lauzon, Quebec.In 1986, Marine Industries Limited merged with Davie Shipbuilding to become MIL-Davie Shipbuilding....
, Saint John, New Brunswick
Saint John, New Brunswick

Saint John is the largest city in the province of New Brunswick, and the oldest incorporated city in Canada. In 2006 the city proper had a population of 68,043....
, 		frigate
Frigate

A frigate is a warship. The term has been used for warships of many sizes and roles over the past few centuries.In the 18th century, the term referred to ships which were as long as a ship-of-the-line and were square rig on all three masts , but were faster and with lighter armament, used for patrolling and escort....
 		12 1992–1996 The backbone of MARCOM, the twelve Halifax-class frigates carry the Sea King helicopters of the Air Force as well as anti-submarine torpedoes and anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles. Frigate Life Extension (FELEX) to start sometime after 2007
Iroquois
Iroquois class destroyer

Iroquois-class destroyers, also known as Tribal class, are a class of four helicopter-carrying, guided missile destroyers of the Canadian Forces....
 		 MIL-Davie Shipbuilding
MIL-Davie Shipbuilding

MIL-Davie Shipbuilding is a shipbuilding company in Lauzon, Quebec.In 1986, Marine Industries Limited merged with Davie Shipbuilding to become MIL-Davie Shipbuilding....
, Lauzon, Quebec
Lauzon, Quebec

Lauzon is a former city in southern Quebec, Canada, located on the St. Lawrence River northeast of L?vis, Quebec. Founded in 1910, Lauzon had a population of about 14,500 when it merged with L?vis, Quebec in 1989....
, 		destroyer
Destroyer

In navy terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a Naval fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, short-range but powerful attackers ....
 		3 1972–1973 Area-air-defence and command-and-control destroyers with Sea King helicopters, refitted in the 1990s from anti-submarine role.
Kingston
Kingston class patrol vessel

The Kingston-class consists of 12 coastal defence vessels operated by the Canadian Forces Canadian Forces Maritime Command.The class is the name for the Maritime Coastal Defense Vessel Project ....
 		 Halifax Shipyards
Halifax Shipyards

Halifax Shipyards Ltd. is a Canada shipbuilding company located in Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia.Since the mid-1990s, the shipyard has been owned by Irving Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of J.D....
, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 		patrol
Patrol boat

A patrol boat is a small naval ship generally designed for coastal defense duties.There have been many designs for patrol boats. They may be operated by a nation's navy, coast guard, or police force, and may be intended for marine and/or estuary or river environments....
 		12 1996–1999 Coastal surveillance, general naval operations and exercises, search and rescue, law enforcement, resource protection, fisheries patrols and mine countermeasure capabilities.
Orca
Orca class training vessel

The Orca class are steel-hulled Patrol boat vessels built for the Canadian Forces Maritime Command. A $69.7 million Canadian dollar contract for six vessels, with an option for two more with a total budget of $90.7 million, was awarded in early November 2004 to Victoria Shipyards....
 		 Victoria Shipyards, Esquimalt, British Columbia
Esquimalt, British Columbia

The City of Esquimalt is a municipality at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. It is bordered to the east by the provincial capital, Victoria, British Columbia, to the south by the Strait of Juan de Fuca, to the west by Esquimalt Harbour and Royal Roads, to the northwest by the New Songhees 1A, British Columbi...
, 		patrol/training 8 2006–2008 Training and inshore patrol.
Protecteur
Protecteur class auxiliary vessel

Protecteur-class auxiliary oiler replenishment ships are used by the Canadian Navy to resupply ships at sea with food, munitions, fuel and spare parts....
 		 Saint John Shipbuilding
Saint John Shipbuilding

Saint John Shipbuilding was a Canada shipbuilding company located in Saint John, New Brunswick, New Brunswick. It operated from 1923-2003....
, Saint John, New Brunswick
Saint John, New Brunswick

Saint John is the largest city in the province of New Brunswick, and the oldest incorporated city in Canada. In 2006 the city proper had a population of 68,043....
, 		auxiliary
Replenishment Oiler

A replenishment Oiler is a naval auxiliary ship with fuel tanks and dry stores capability, which can Underway replenishment.The United States Navy hull classification symbol for this type of ship is AOR....
 		2 1969–1970 At-sea resupply of frigates and destroyers and medical support. Ships to be replaced by Joint Support Ships starting 2012
Victoria Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd
Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd

Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering, Ltd was a shipbuilding based at Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria in northwest England that built warships and armaments....
 and Cammell Laird
Cammell Laird

Cammell Laird, one of the most famous names in British Empire shipbuilding during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, came about following the merger of Laird, Son & Co. of Birkenhead and Johnson Cammell & Co. of Sheffield at the turn of the twentieth century....
, Birkenhead
Birkenhead

Birkenhead is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral in Merseyside, England. It is on the Wirral Peninsula, along the west bank of the River Mersey, opposite the city of Liverpool....
, 		submarine
Submarine

A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below water. It differs from a submersible, which has only limited underwater capability....
 		4 2000–2004 Diesel-electric hunter-killer submarines with long-range patrol capability. Originally commissioned into the Royal Navy from 1989 to 93, but transferred to the Canadian Forces from 2000.
HMCS Oriole (KC 480)
HMCS Oriole (KC 480)

The HMCS Oriole is the Sail training of the Canadian Navy based at CFB Esquimalt in Victoria, British Columbia, British Columbia. She is a 31 metre sailing ketch, currently the oldest commissioned vessel in the Canadian Navy, and also the longest serving commissioned ship....
 		 George Lawly & Sons, Boston, USA Sailing Ketch 1 1921 Sail Training Ship. Oldest Commissioned ship in the Canadian Navy.


Auxiliary Vessels


Canadian Forces Auxiliary Vessels (CFAV) are not armed or part of the regular fleet in the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces

The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces." This singular institution consists of thre...
. These ships operated within the port areas in maritime command area in the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.

Class or nameBuilderTypeQuantityYear Entered ServiceDetails
Quest
Quest class Oceanographic Research Ship

CFAV Quest is an ocean-going research vessel of the Canadian Maritime Command.CFAV Quest is an oceangraphic research/acoustic vessel used by the Canadian Navy ....
 		 Burrard Shipbuilding & Drydock Ltd., Vancouver, British Columbia, Survey ship 1 1969 Oceanographic research ship.
Fire-Class
Fire class fireboat

The Canadian Armed Forces' Maritime Command operates two Fire-class fireboats/Yard tractor tugs. The two vessels are the CFAV Firebrand and the CFAV Firebird....
 		 fire/rescue boats-Yard Tractor Tug 2: CFAV Firebrand (YTR 562)
CFAV Firebrand

The CFAV Firebrand is a in the Canadian Armed Forces Maritime Command.Firebrand is based in CFB Esquimalt, on Vancouver Island.Her sister ship CFAV Firebird is based in CFB Halifax....
 and the CFAV Firebird (YTR 561)
CFAV Firebird

The CFAV Firebird is a in the Canadian Armed Forces Maritime Command. Firebird is based in CFB Halifax, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.Her sister ship CFAV Firebrand is based in CFB Esquimalt....
 		  
Ville-Class
Ville class tugs

The Canadian Armed Forces' Maritime Command operates five Ville class harbour tugs.The five vessels are the CFAV Lawrenceville,CFAV Parksville,...
 		 Falconer Marine in Victoria, B.C Harbour tug-YTL 5 – CFAV Lawrenceville (YTL 590), CFAV Parksville (YTL 591), CFAV Listerville (YTL 592), CFAV Merrickville (YTL 593), CFAV Marysville (YTL 594) 1974 Named after World War II
World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global military conflict which involved a Participants in World War II, including all of the great powers, organised into two opposing military alliances: the Allies of World War II and the Axis powers....
 vessels which were based on the on Pup Class
Medium Harbour Tug-YTM 1 – CFAV Tillicum (YTM 555) based at Esquimalt
Glen-Class
Glen class tugs

The Glen-class is a class of naval tugboat operated by the Canadian Armed Forces. The five vessels are divided between the two fleets of Canadian Forces Maritime Command, with three assigned to Maritime Forces Atlantic and two assigned to Maritime Forces Pacific....
 		 Yarrows Ltd, Esquimalt and Georgetown Shipyards, PE tractor tugs 5 – CFAV Glendyne (YTB 640), CFAV Glendale (YTB 641), CFAV Glenevis (YTB 642), CFAV Glenbrook (YTB 643), CFAV Glenside (YTB 644) 1975–1977 Vessels are named after an earlier World War 2 Glen class of tugs.
YDT Dive Tenders and Dive Recovery 1 – YDT 10  
Yard Diving Tenders 2 (YDT 11 – ex Cape Scott III and YDT 12 Granby) YDT-11 based at Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) in Colwood, B.C
West Coast [John] Manly Shipyard of New Westminster, BC YDT Yard Dive Tenders 2 – YDT Sechelt, YDT Sooke 1991 Sooke based at Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) in Colwood, B.C.
Sechelt Class West Coast [John] Manly Shipyard of New Westminster, BC Torpedo and Sound Ranging Vessels 2 – CFAV Sikanni, CFAV Stikine 1991  
Burrard Shipbuilding & Drydock Ltd General Purpose Research Vessel 1 – CFAV Quest 1969  
Duty Boat 2 – CFAV Gemini and CFAV Pegasus Gemini based in Halifax, Pegasus based in Esquimalt
Fleet Diving Unit Boat 4 – Sculpin, Abalone, Dungeness, Tayut


Aircraft


! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Country of Manufacture ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Canadian Designation ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In Service ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes |----- | SH-3 Sea King | Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aircraft

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is an United States aircraft manufacturer....
 
United Aircraft | Shipborne Anti-Submarine, Search and Rescue Helicopter on destroyers and frigates | CH-124 Sea King
CH-124 Sea King

The Sikorsky Aircraft CH-124 Sea King is a twin-engined anti-submarine warfare helicopter designed for shipboard use.The Canadian variant is based on the US Navy's SH-3 Sea King and has been continuously in service with the Canadian Forces since 1963....
 | 27 | Delivered 1963 to Royal Canadian Navy
Royal Canadian Navy

The Royal Canadian Navy was the navy of Canada from 1911 until 1968 when the three Canadian services were unified to form the Canadian Forces. The modern Canadian navy is known as Canadian Forces Maritime Command ....
; assigned from Canadian Forces Air Command
Canadian Forces Air Command

Canadian Forces Air Command , also known as the Canadian Air Force, is the air force element of the Canadian Forces. AIRCOM is the descendant of the Royal Canadian Air Force , which was Canada's air force from its foundation in 1924 until February 1, 1968....
 to be replaced by CH-148 Cyclone |----- | P-3 Orion
P-3 Orion

The Lockheed P-3 Orion is a maritime patrol aircraft used by numerous navies and air forces around the world, primarily for maritime patrol, reconnaissance, anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare....
/S-3 Viking
S-3 Viking

The Lockheed S-3 Viking is a jet aircraft originally used by the United States Navy to identify, track, and destroy enemy submarines. In the late 1990s, the S-3B's mission focus shifted to surface warfare and aerial refueling....
 | Lockheed | Strategic airborne anti-submarine warfare aircraft with surface-surveillance capability | CP-140 Aurora
CP-140 Aurora

The Lockheed CP-140 Aurora is a Canadian Forces Air Command patrol aircraft . The aircraft is based on the Lockheed P-3 Orion airframe, but mounts the electronics suite of the S-3 Viking....
 | 18 | Purchased 1980; assigned from Canadian Forces Air Command
Canadian Forces Air Command

Canadian Forces Air Command , also known as the Canadian Air Force, is the air force element of the Canadian Forces. AIRCOM is the descendant of the Royal Canadian Air Force , which was Canada's air force from its foundation in 1924 until February 1, 1968....
 |----- | P-3 Orion
P-3 Orion

The Lockheed P-3 Orion is a maritime patrol aircraft used by numerous navies and air forces around the world, primarily for maritime patrol, reconnaissance, anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare....
 | Lockheed | Strategic airborne surface-surveillance aircraft | CP-140A Arcturus | 3 | airframes purchased in 1991; assigned from Canadian Forces Air Command
Canadian Forces Air Command

Canadian Forces Air Command , also known as the Canadian Air Force, is the air force element of the Canadian Forces. AIRCOM is the descendant of the Royal Canadian Air Force , which was Canada's air force from its foundation in 1924 until February 1, 1968....
 |----- | Sikorsky H-92 Superhawk
Sikorsky S-92

The Sikorsky S-92 is a four-bladed twin-engine medium-lift helicopter built by Sikorsky Aircraft for the civil and military helicopter market....
 | Sikorsky Aircraft
Sikorsky Aircraft

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is an United States aircraft manufacturer....
  | Shipborne, Search and Rescue Helicopter on destroyers and frigates | CH-148 Cyclone | 28 | Project delayed; delivery in 2010 |----- | | | | | | |}

Retired fleet


Class or nameTypeBuilderQuantityYear Entered ServiceDetails
escort destroyers
Canadian Vickers, Montreal
Montreal

Montreal, or Montr?al, is the largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada of Quebec and the List of largest cities and second largest cities by country List of the 100 largest municipalities in Canada by population....

Halifax Shipyards
Royal Naval Dockyard, Halifax

Royal Naval Dockyard, Halifax was the summer Royal Navy dockyard in the North American Station during the 18th and 19th Century.Opened in 1759 and located on the western shores of Halifax Harbour to the northwest of Citadel Hill, the station closed in 1905 and sold to Canada in 1907....
, Halifax NS
City of Halifax

The City of Halifax was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and county seat of Halifax County, Nova Scotia, and was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996....

Burrard
Allied Shipbuilders Ltd.

Allied Shipbuildesrs Ltd is a privately held shipbuilder established in Canada in 1948....
, Vancouver, BC
Yarrows, Esquimalt, BC
Marine Industries Limited
Marine Industries Limited

Marine Industries Limited was a Canada ship building company, in Sorel, Quebec, Quebec, with a shipyard located on the Richelieu river about 1 km from the St....
, Sorel, Quebec		7 1955–1994 all but 2 scrapped; Saguenay (Nova Scotia) and Assiniboine (Caribbean) were sunk as artificial reefs
escort destroyers
Canadian Vickers, Montreal
Montreal

Montreal, or Montr?al, is the largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada of Quebec and the List of largest cities and second largest cities by country List of the 100 largest municipalities in Canada by population....
4 1962–1994 3 were sunk with 2 as artificial reefs; Qu'Appelle's status is unknown
escort destroyers
Halifax Shipyards
Royal Naval Dockyard, Halifax

Royal Naval Dockyard, Halifax was the summer Royal Navy dockyard in the North American Station during the 18th and 19th Century.Opened in 1759 and located on the western shores of Halifax Harbour to the northwest of Citadel Hill, the station closed in 1905 and sold to Canada in 1907....
, Halifax NS
City of Halifax

The City of Halifax was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and county seat of Halifax County, Nova Scotia, and was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996....

Burrard Dry Dock
Burrard Dry Dock

Burrard Dry Dock Ltd. was a Canada shipyard located in North Vancouver, British Columbia. Together with the neighboring North Van Ship Repair yard, which it eventually absorbed, Burrard built over 450 ships, including many warships built for the Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy in World War II....
, North Vancouver, BC
Victoria Machinery Depot
Victoria Machinery Depot

Victoria Machinery Depot Ltd. was a ship builder located in Victoria, British Columbia.This was a historic metalworks and shipyard in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada....
, Victoria, BC		7 1958–1997 St Croix was scapped, Gatineau and Terra Nova are laid up in Halifax and rest sunk as reefs
escort destroyers
MIL Davie Shipbuilding
Davie Shipbuilding

Davie Shipbuilding, currently MIL-Davie Shipbuilding, was a shipbuilding company in Lauzon, Quebec.Davie was founded in 1825 by Allison Davie, an England ship captain along the south shore of the St Lawrence River across from Quebec City....
, Lauzon, Quebec
Lauzon, Quebec

Lauzon is a former city in southern Quebec, Canada, located on the St. Lawrence River northeast of L?vis, Quebec. Founded in 1910, Lauzon had a population of about 14,500 when it merged with L?vis, Quebec in 1989....
1 – HMCS Huron (DDH 281)
HMCS Huron (DDH 281)

HMCS Huron was an that has served the Canadian Forces since 1972.Huron was the second ship of her class which is sometimes referred to as the Tribal-class or simply as the 280-class....
 1970–2005 Sunk as a target ship by US and Canadian ships off the coast of BC in 2007 
diesel electric submarine
Submarine

A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below water. It differs from a submersible, which has only limited underwater capability....
Vickers-Armstrongs, Barrow-in-Furness
Barrow-in-Furness

Barrow-in-Furness , often known simply as Barrow, is an manufacturing and seaport which forms about half the territory of the wider Barrow-in-Furness in the county of Cumbria, England....
 3 (+2 spares) 1964–2000 one sold to a museum in Rimouski, Quιbec, 3 others laid-up at Dartmouth jetty, across from main naval base
diesel electric submarine
Submarine

A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below water. It differs from a submersible, which has only limited underwater capability....
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard , often called the Portsmouth Navy Yard, is a United States Navy shipyard located in Kittery, Maine on the southern boundary of Maine....
, Kittery, Maine
Kittery, Maine

Kittery is a town in York County, Maine, Maine, United States. The population was 9,543 at the 2000 United States Census. The town declares itself to be the "Gateway to Maine." Home to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on Seavey's Island, Kittery includes the seaside district of Kittery Point, Maine and part of the Isles of Shoals....
 1 ( USS Argonaut (SS-475)
USS Argonaut (SS-475)

USS Argonaut was a Tench class submarine, the second ship to carry her name.Argonaut was laid at Portsmouth Navy Yard on 28 June 1944....
 renamed as HMCS Rainbow(S-75) )		 1968–1974 status unknown
AOR (oiler replinishing ship)
Davie Shipbuilding
Davie Shipbuilding

Davie Shipbuilding, currently MIL-Davie Shipbuilding, was a shipbuilding company in Lauzon, Quebec.Davie was founded in 1825 by Allison Davie, an England ship captain along the south shore of the St Lawrence River across from Quebec City....
, Lauzon, Quebec
Lauzon, Quebec

Lauzon is a former city in southern Quebec, Canada, located on the St. Lawrence River northeast of L?vis, Quebec. Founded in 1910, Lauzon had a population of about 14,500 when it merged with L?vis, Quebec in 1989....
 1 – HMCS Provider (AOR 508)
HMCS Provider (AOR 508)

HMCS Provider was a Canada Provider class auxiliary vessel replenishment oiler. It was the first dedicated Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment ship commissioned for the Royal Canadian Navy in 1963....
 1963–2003 sold as barge and latter scrapped
N/A ASL
Aspa Quarto		 1 – HMCS Cormorant (ASL 20)
HMCS Cormorant (ASL 20)

HMCS Cormorant was a diving support vessel that served in the Canadian Forces. She was equipped with either Pisces IV submersible or the SDL-1 submersible....
 1978–1997 
escort destroyers
Marine Industries Limited
Marine Industries Limited

Marine Industries Limited was a Canada ship building company, in Sorel, Quebec, Quebec, with a shipyard located on the Richelieu river about 1 km from the St....
, Sorel, Quebec		 2 1964–1997 both sunk; Annapolis is a reef and Nipigon sunk in Quebec
light aircraft carrier
Harland and Wolff
Harland and Wolff

Harland and Wolff Heavy Industries is a Diversification Heavy industry company specialising in shipbuilding, ship breaking, offshore construction, Modular design, Civil engineering and marine engineering, renewables and project management, located in Belfast, Northern Ireland....
, Belfast
Belfast

Belfast is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of Devolution#United Kingdom Northern Ireland Executive and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly in Northern Ireland....
 1 – HMS Powerful
HMS Powerful

Four ships of the Royal Navy have borne the name HMS Powerful.Ships* was a 74-gun third rate launched in 1783 and broken up in 1812....
/HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22)
HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22)

HMCS Bonaventure was a Majestic class aircraft carrier aircraft carrier, originally laid down for the British Royal Navy as HMS Powerful....
 1957–1970 scrapped in Taiwan
escort maintenance
Allied Shipbuilders Ltd.
Allied Shipbuilders Ltd.

Allied Shipbuildesrs Ltd is a privately held shipbuilder established in Canada in 1948....
, Vancouver, BC		 2 1959–1970 status unknown
N/A escort hydrofoil
Hydrofoil

A hydrofoil is a boat with wing-like airfoils mounted on struts below the hull . As the craft increases its speed the hydrofoils develop enough lift for the boat to become foilborne - i.e....
 Frigate
Frigate

A frigate is a warship. The term has been used for warships of many sizes and roles over the past few centuries.In the 18th century, the term referred to ships which were as long as a ship-of-the-line and were square rig on all three masts , but were faster and with lighter armament, used for patrolling and escort....
Marine Industries Limited
Marine Industries Limited

Marine Industries Limited was a Canada ship building company, in Sorel, Quebec, Quebec, with a shipyard located on the Richelieu river about 1 km from the St....
, Sorel, Quebec
de Havilland Canada
De Havilland Canada

The de Havilland Canada company was an aircraft manufacturer with facilities based in what is now the Downsview area of Toronto, Ontario, Canada....
, Toronto, Ontario		 1 – HMCS Bras d'Or (FHE 400)
HMCS Bras d'Or (FHE 400)

HMCS Bras d'Or was a hydrofoil that served in the Canadian Forces from 1968 to 1971.The vessel was originally built from 1960-1967 for the Royal Canadian Navy as a project for testing anti-submarine warfare technology on an ocean-going hydrofoil....
 1970s now at Musιe Maritime du Quιbec
Sikorsky H-19
Sikorsky Aircraft
Sikorsky Aircraft

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is an United States aircraft manufacturer....
 N/A 1960–1970s used aboard the HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22)
HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22)

HMCS Bonaventure was a Majestic class aircraft carrier aircraft carrier, originally laid down for the British Royal Navy as HMS Powerful....
S-2 Tracker
S-2 Tracker

The Grumman S-2 Tracker was the first purpose-built, single airframe anti-submarine warfare aircraft to enter service with the US Navy....
 anti-submarine warfare aircraft
de Havilland Canada
De Havilland Canada

The de Havilland Canada company was an aircraft manufacturer with facilities based in what is now the Downsview area of Toronto, Ontario, Canada....
/Grumman		 N/A 1960–1980s 
F2H Banshee
F2H Banshee

The McDonnell Aircraft F2H Banshee was a military aircraft carrier jet engine fighter aircraft, used by the United States Navy from 1948 to 1959 and by the Royal Canadian Navy from 1955 until 1962....
 carrier based fighter
McDonnell Aircraft
McDonnell Aircraft

The McDonnell Aircraft Corporation was an American aerospace manufacturer based in St. Louis, Missouri. The company was founded in 1939 by James Smith McDonnell, and was best known for its military fighters, including the F-4 Phantom II, and manned spacecraft including the Project Mercury and Project Gemini....
 34 1950s-1958 
Glen-Class I tugs tug  4 – Glendevon, Glenevis  WWII ships
YBZ-61 vacuum ship  1  
Saint Class Deep Sea Tugs ocean tug Saint John Dry Dock, Saint John, NB 1957 1 – St. Charles ATA 533  stricken in 1972
Naval Research Vessel   1 – CFAV Endeavour
Endeavour class Oceanographic Research Ship

The Endeavour class is a class of non-combat naval ships used by the Canadian Forces for oceanographic research.There was only one ship built under this class ....
  1968–1998


Retired aircraft


! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Country of Manufacture ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Canadian Designation ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In Service ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes |----- | F2H Banshee
F2H Banshee

The McDonnell Aircraft F2H Banshee was a military aircraft carrier jet engine fighter aircraft, used by the United States Navy from 1948 to 1959 and by the Royal Canadian Navy from 1955 until 1962....
 | McDonnell Douglas
McDonnell Douglas

McDonnell Douglas was a major American aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor, producing a number of famous commercial and military aircraft....
  | carrier based jet fighter | N/A – F2H-3 | 39; 34 on carrier HMCS Bonaventure | ex-United States Navy
United States Navy

The United States Navy is the navy of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy currently has approximately 331,682 personnel on active duty as of 31 December 2008 and 124,000 in the United States Navy Reserve....
 delivered 1955–1958; retired 1962 |----- | S-2 Tracker
S-2 Tracker

The Grumman S-2 Tracker was the first purpose-built, single airframe anti-submarine warfare aircraft to enter service with the US Navy....
 | Sikorsky Aircraft
Sikorsky Aircraft

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is an United States aircraft manufacturer....
  | Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare

Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and then damage or destroy enemy submarines....
 aircraft | CS-2F Tracker
S-2 Tracker

The Grumman S-2 Tracker was the first purpose-built, single airframe anti-submarine warfare aircraft to enter service with the US Navy....
 | 1? | delivery 1956–1957; all carrier based aircraft were transferred to land operations after 1970 |----- | Sikorsky H-19 "Horse" | Sikorsky Aircraft
Sikorsky Aircraft

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is an United States aircraft manufacturer....
  | plane guard helicopter | H04S-3 | 2? | acquired 1956; retired 1967 and replaced by CH-124 Sea King
CH-124 Sea King

The Sikorsky Aircraft CH-124 Sea King is a twin-engined anti-submarine warfare helicopter designed for shipboard use.The Canadian variant is based on the US Navy's SH-3 Sea King and has been continuously in service with the Canadian Forces since 1963....
 (till 1970) |}

Weapons


Shipborne


  • Mark 41 VLS
    Vertical Launching System

    A Vertical Launching System is a type of missile-firing system used aboard the submarines and surface vessels of several navy around the world....
     – missile-firing system for
    • Boeing Integrated Defense Systems
      Boeing Integrated Defense Systems

      Boeing Integrated Defense Systems , based in St. Louis, Missouri, Missouri, USA, is a unit of Boeing responsible for Arms industry and aerospace products and services....
       Mark 141 Harpoon SSM – anti-ship missile
      Anti-ship missile

      File:Martel TV-Guided Missile - Elvington - BB.jpgAnti-ship missiles are guided missile designed for use against ships. Most anti-ship missiles are of the sea-skimming type and use a combination of inertial guidance system and radar guidance....
    • Raytheon
      Raytheon

      Raytheon Company is a major United States defense contractor and industrial corporation with core manufacturing concentrations in defense systems and defense and commercial electronics....
       Standard SM-2MR Block IIIA
      RIM-66 Standard

      The RIM-66 Standard MR is a medium range surface-to-air missile originally developed for the United States Navy . The SM-1 was developed as a replacement for the RIM-2 and RIM-24 Tartar deployed in the 1950s on a variety of USN ships....
       surface-to-air missile
      Surface-to-air missile

      A surface to air missile or ground-to-air missile is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft. It is a type of anti-aircraft....
  • Douglas Aircraft Company
    Douglas Aircraft Company

    The Douglas Aircraft Company was an American aerospace manufacturer, based in Long Beach, California. It was founded in 1921 by Donald Wills Douglas, Sr....
    /Sperry Corporation
    Sperry Corporation

    Sperry Corporation was a major American equipment and electronics company whose existence spanned more than seven decades of the twentieth century....
     Sea Sparrow
    AIM-7 Sparrow

    The AIM-7 Sparrow is a medium-range semi-active radar homing air-to-air missile operated by the United States Air Force, United States Navy, and United States Marine Corps as well as various allied air forces and navies....
     SAM/SSM – medium-range semi-active radar homing
    Semi-active radar homing

    Semi-active radar homing, or SARH, is a common type of missile guidance system, perhaps the most common type for longer range Air-to-air missile and surface-to-air missile systems....
     air-to-air missile
    Air-to-air missile

    An air-to-air missile is a guided missile fired from an aircraft for the purpose of destroying another aircraft. AAMs are typically powered by one or more rocket motors, usually solid-fuel rocket but sometimes liquid-fuel rocket....
  • BAE Systems Bofors SAK 57 mm
    Bofors 57 mm gun

    The are a series of dual-purpose naval guns, produced and originally designed by Bofors ....
     naval guns
  • General Dynamics
    General Dynamics

    General Dynamics Corporation is a defense conglomerate formed by mergers and divestitures, and as of 2008 it is the fifth largest defense contractor in the world....
     Ponoma Division Phalanx CIWS
    Phalanx CIWS

    The Phalanx Close-In Weapon System is an anti-Anti-ship missile system that was designed and manufactured by the General Dynamics Corporation, Pomona, California....
     (Block 1) – Close-in weapon system/anti-missile system
  • Browning Arms Company
    Browning Arms Company

    Browning Arms Company was founded in Utah in 1927. It offers a wide variety of firearms, including shotguns, rifles, pistols, and rimfire firearms....
     12.7mm M2 Browning machine guns – heavy machine guns
  • Oto Melara
    Oto Melara

    Oto Melara is an Italy defence company with factories in Brescia and La Spezia. It was founded in 1905 as Vickers Terni. During World War I, Vickers Terni produced many weapons with calibre 40 mm and upwards....
     76 mm/62 OTO Melara
    Otobreda 76 mm

    The Otobreda 76 mm gun is a widely used naval artillery piece built by the Italian company Oto Melara. A vehicle-mounted version known as the Otomatic was built for the SPAAG role, although this was not put into production....
     – naval artillery piece
  • Alliant Techsystems
    Alliant Techsystems

    Alliant Techsystems Inc. is one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in United States with approximately 17,000 employees and operations in 21 states....
     Mark-46 Mod 5 torpedo
    Mark 46 torpedo

    Designed to attack high-performance submarines, the Mark 46 torpedo is the backbone of the U.S. Navy's lightweight Anti-submarine warfare torpedo inventory, and is the current NATO standard....
    es fired from 12.75in Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes
    Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes

    The Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes system is a pair of launchers fitted to warships. Each launcher carries three tubes capable of discharging a lightweight torpedo like the Mark 46 torpedo, Mark 50 torpedo or Mark 54 MAKO Lightweight Torpedo....
  • BAE Systems Bofors 40 mm 60 Mk 5C cannon
    Bofors 40 mm gun

    The Bofors 40 mm gun is a famous Anti-aircraft warfare autocannon designed by the Sweden firm of Bofors. It was one of the most popular medium-weight anti-aircraft systems during World War II, used by most of the western Allies of World War II as well as various other forces....
  • Raytheon
    Raytheon

    Raytheon Company is a major United States defense contractor and industrial corporation with core manufacturing concentrations in defense systems and defense and commercial electronics....
    /Hughes Aircraft
    Hughes Aircraft

    Hughes Aircraft Company was a major aerospace and defense company founded by Howard Hughes. The group was based near Ballona Creek, in Culver City, California....
     533mm torpedo tubes (18 Mark 48 torpedo
    Mark 48 torpedo

    The Mark 48 and its improved ADCAP variant are heavyweight submarine-launched torpedoes. They were designed to sink fast, deep-diving nuclear propulsion submarines and high-performance surface ships....
    es)
  • Dorado Interim Remote Mine Hunting and Detection System (IRMDS)


Aircraft


  • Alliant Techsystems
    Alliant Techsystems

    Alliant Techsystems Inc. is one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in United States with approximately 17,000 employees and operations in 21 states....
     Mark 46 torpedo
    Mark 46 torpedo

    Designed to attack high-performance submarines, the Mark 46 torpedo is the backbone of the U.S. Navy's lightweight Anti-submarine warfare torpedo inventory, and is the current NATO standard....
     – Air and ship-launched lightweight torpedo on SH-3 Sea King
  • Browning Arms Company
    Browning Arms Company

    Browning Arms Company was founded in Utah in 1927. It offers a wide variety of firearms, including shotguns, rifles, pistols, and rimfire firearms....
     M1919 Browning machine gun – 7.62 mm self-defence machine gun used by SH-3 Sea King


Air operations

Though the former RCN had its own aircraft, after unification shipboard helicopters came under "air force" control, and Naval Air Squadrons were renumbered in the former RCAF 400-series, with the exceptions of VU-32, VU-33, and 880 Squadron. Shipboard helicopter operations continue in this fashion, with Helicopter Air Detachments (HELAIRDETs) being staffed by Air Command personnel in air force-style DEU's.

Submarines

Hmcs Victoria Ssk 876 Near Bangor
Hmcs Algonquin (ddg 283)
Hmcs Protecteur
The 1987 military review highlighted Canada's limited capability to enforce sovereignty on its Arctic coast. It was therefore announced that MARCOM would receive a fleet of 10 to 12 nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSN) suitable for operating for extended periods under the Arctic ice. The proposed SSN fleet would force any nation, friend or foe, to possibly think twice before using Canada's territorial seas in the Arctic for operating nuclear submarines. During 1987–1988, MARCOM examined several British and French SSN designs. The planned procurement, however, was cancelled in 1988–1989 during a time of increased defence cuts.

In 1998, the Canadian government made a deal with the United Kingdom
United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom , the UK or Britain,is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe....
 to acquire four mothballed, but state-of-the-art Upholder-class diesel-electric
Diesel-electric

A number of vehicles use a diesel-electric powertrain for providing Motion . A diesel-electric powerplant includes a diesel engine connected to an electrical generator, creating electricity that powers electric motor traction motors....
 submarine
Submarine

A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below water. It differs from a submersible, which has only limited underwater capability....
s that were declared surplus when the Royal Navy
Royal Navy

The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British Armed Forces . From the mid-18th century until well into the 20th century, it was the most powerful navy in the world, playing a key part in establishing the British Empire as the dominant world power from 1815 until the early 1940s....
's decided to operate only nuclear-powered submarines such as the Trafalgar-class
Trafalgar class submarine

The Trafalgar class submarines are, until the introduction of the Astute class submarine, the Royal Navy most advanced nuclear fleet submarines ....
 boats. The Royal and U.S. navies considered the Upholders too valuable and technologically advanced to allow them to fall into the hands of a non-allied nation. Therefore Canada was encouraged through significant discounts to acquire the Upholders. The four submarines were eventually purchased after much foot-dragging by the federal government for $750 million CAD.

The transaction was supposed to have included some reciprocal rights for British forces to continue using CFB Suffield
CFB Suffield

Canadian Forces Base Suffield , is the largest Canadian Forces Base and the largest Commonwealth of Nations military training base. It is located in southeastern Alberta north of the city of Medicine Hat, Alberta and southeast of Calgary, Alberta....
 for armoured-unit training and CFB Goose Bay
CFB Goose Bay

Canadian Forces Base Goose Bay , is a Canadian Forces Base located in the town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Newfoundland and Labrador....
 for low-level flight training, while Canada received four well-built and very lightly used high-technology submarines to replace the 1960s-era Oberon class
Oberon class submarine

The Oberon class was a 27-ship class of British-built diesel-electric submarines based on the successful British British Porpoise class submarine submarine....
. (It was later revealed that there were no reciprocal rights. It was a plain lease-to-buy arrangement.) After an update program which took longer than expected the Upholders are being successfully reactivated following a decade of mothballing and are now being integrated into the Canadian navy as the Victoria class. Four boats will allow MARPAC to deploy as submarine in the Pacific for the first time in four decades.

The four submarines and their former Royal Navy names:
  • , formerly
  • , formerly
  • , formerly
  • , formerly


A naval investigation was conducted into a fatal fire aboard HMCS Chicoutimi which killed an officer and injured several other personnel during its maiden voyage from Faslane Naval Base
HMNB Clyde

Her Majesty's Naval Base Clyde is one of three UK operating bases for the Royal Navy . It is the service's headquarters in Scotland and is best known as the home of the United Kingdom UK Trident programme-armed nuclear submarine force....
, Scotland, to Halifax in October 2004. The investigation focused on two hatches that were left open during repairs, thus allowing seawater inside while the submarine was on the surface in a period of rough weather, as well as faulty insulation for wires and a panel near the commanding officer's cabin. The wires were insulated using an older water-resistance specification than the other Victoria-class boats, because it was older than the other three. The other three Victoria-class boats were placed on restricted duty for several weeks following the fire and during the period of investigation.

The investigation found that a series of unexpected circumstances led to the tragedy. No blame was placed on the commanding officer
Commanding officer

The commanding officer is the Officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law....
, as it was decided he was reasonable in allowing both hatches to be left open for the repairs. Running with both hatches open was common on the Oberon-class boats. Recommendations include improved water-resistant insulation
Electrical insulation

An insulator, also called a dielectric, is a material that resists the flow of electric current. An insulating material has atoms with tightly bonded valence electrons....
 for electrical
Electricity

Electricity is a general term that encompasses a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena such as lightning and static electricity, but in addition, less familiar concepts such as the electromagnetic field and electromagnetic induction....
 wires, improved firefighting
Fire fighting

Firefighting is the act of extinguishing destructive fires. A firefighter fights these fires to prevent destruction of life, property and the environment....
 training, and a change of operational procedures that will no longer allow a submarine to operate on the surface with both hatches open. The widow of the officer killed, in writing, accepted the findings of the investigation.

Future

Canada Navy Ships

Maritime-helicopter replacement

Although aviation assets are the responsibility of Canadian Forces Air Command
Canadian Forces Air Command

Canadian Forces Air Command , also known as the Canadian Air Force, is the air force element of the Canadian Forces. AIRCOM is the descendant of the Royal Canadian Air Force , which was Canada's air force from its foundation in 1924 until February 1, 1968....
 (AIRCOM) since unification, the political fiasco surrounding the maritime-helicopter replacement has had a major impact on the ability of the Canadian patrol frigates to deliver their expected capabilities. In 1993, the Maritime Helicopter Program, which had selected the AgustaWestland EH101
AgustaWestland EH101

The AgustaWestland AW101 is a medium-lift helicopter for military applications but also marketed for civil use. The helicopter was developed as a joint venture between Westland Aircraft in the United Kingdom and Agusta in Italy ....
 as a replacement for the aging CH-124 Sea King
CH-124 Sea King

The Sikorsky Aircraft CH-124 Sea King is a twin-engined anti-submarine warfare helicopter designed for shipboard use.The Canadian variant is based on the US Navy's SH-3 Sea King and has been continuously in service with the Canadian Forces since 1963....
, was cancelled by incoming Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Canada

The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary Minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet of Canada, and thus head of government of Canada. The office is not outlined in any of the documents that constitute the written portion of the constitution of Canada; executive authority is formally vested in the Monarchy of Canada and exercised on hi...
 Jean Chrιtien
Jean Chrιtien

Joseph Jacques Jean Chr?tien, Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Order of Canada, Queen's Counsel , is a Canadian politician who was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003, and leader of the Liberal Party of Canada from 1990 to 2003....
 in an infamous decision that dogged his government for over a decade. Chrιtien's government did end up ordering fifteen CH-149 Cormorants, a slightly cheaper version of the EH101, for search-and-rescue services, however it took until July 2004 for a replacement of the now-ancient Sea Kings to be announced. The Sea Kings will be replaced with the CH-148 Cyclone, with delivery expected commence in 2010.

Current and future programs


Joint support ships
In the late 1990s, one of the fleet's three underway-replenishment vessels, HMCS Provider, was paid off. The remaining two supply ships, HMCS Preserver and HMCS Protecteur, were showing their age, and MARCOM began studies into designing a new class of underway-replenishment and naval sealift
Sealift

Sealift is a term used predominantly in military logistics and refers to the use of cargo ships for the Military deployment of military assets, such as weaponry, military personnel, and materiel supplies....
-capable vessels.

On 16 April 2004, Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Canada

The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary Minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet of Canada, and thus head of government of Canada. The office is not outlined in any of the documents that constitute the written portion of the constitution of Canada; executive authority is formally vested in the Monarchy of Canada and exercised on hi...
 Paul Martin
Paul Martin

Paul Edgar Philippe Martin, Queen's Privy Council for Canada was the 21st Prime Minister of Canada, as well as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada....
 announced plans to purchase three new joint support ships (JSS) to replace the Protecteur-class underway-replenishment vessels. In addition to supporting naval operations, the new ships will be able to transport an army battle group — a capability Canada's navy has lacked since the departure of the light carrier HMCS Bonaventure
HMCS Bonaventure (CVL 22)

HMCS Bonaventure was a Majestic class aircraft carrier aircraft carrier, originally laid down for the British Royal Navy as HMS Powerful....
 in 1970. The new ships will also have reinforced hulls enabling them to sail in the Arctic. The requirement for three JSSes was re-affirmed in June 2006 by the newly elected Conservative government, which issued the request for proposal
Request for Proposal

A request for proposal is an invitation for suppliers, often through a bidding process, to submit a Proposal on a specific commodity or Service ....
. In November 2006, two industry teams were selected to provide a proposal. One of these teams was to be awarded the implementation contract in 2008. The first of the 28,000-tonne vessels was scheduled to be delivered in 2012. As of August 22, 2008, the JSS Program has been suspended due to cost. The Protecteur Class will be have their service lives extended beyond 2012 while a suitable replacement is found.

Amphibious assault vessels
In the first months of 2005, senior members of the Canadian Forces and the government examined the possibility of purchasing two new or used Future Canadian Amphibious Assault Ship
Future Canadian amphibious assault ship

The Future Canadian Amphibious Assault Ship project is designed to give Canada a sealift, mobile command and control platform, amphibious assault capability and non-combatant evacuation operation ....
 in keeping with the government's commitment to developing greater joint capability in the Canadian Forces. This was apparently not connected to the Joint Support Ship project.

Orca-class training vessels
The program to replace the navy's wooden YAG vessels with twelve modern steel training / patrol vessels (the Orca
Orca class training vessel

The Orca class are steel-hulled Patrol boat vessels built for the Canadian Forces Maritime Command. A $69.7 million Canadian dollar contract for six vessels, with an option for two more with a total budget of $90.7 million, was awarded in early November 2004 to Victoria Shipyards....
 program) is well underway and being contracted by Victoria Shipyards Limited. The first ship, PCT (Patrol Craft, Training) 55 Orca was accepted by the navy at CFB Esquimalt on November 17, 2006.

Polar Class 5 Arctic offshore patrol ships
On July 9, 2007, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the construction of up to eight Polar Class
Polar class

Polar class refers to the ice class assigned to a ship by a classification society. A Polar class ship refers to a ship for which a Polar class has been assigned....
 PC-5 Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships and the establishment of a deep water port in the far North.

These new Polar Class 5 Arctic offshore patrol ships will be built in Canada.: The CBC reported that the vessels "...are expected to be based on the Royal Norwegian Navy
Royal Norwegian Navy

The Royal Norway Navy is the branch of the Norwegian Defence Force responsible for navy operations. , the RNoN consists of approximately 3,700 personnel and 70 vessels, including 3 heavy frigates, 6 submarines, 6 corvettes, 14 patrol boats, 4 Minesweeper , 4 minehunters, 1 mine detection vessel, 4 support vessels and 2 training vessels....
's Svalbard class
NoCGV Svalbard

The Norwegian Coast Guard icebreaker and offshore patrol vessel KV Svalbard was constructed by Langsten AS at Tangen Verft shipyard in Krager? and launched on February 17, 2001....
 design". With steel-reinforced hulls, they will be capable of operating in ice up to one metre thick, and each vessel will also be equipped with a helicopter landing pad. They will be able to patrol the length of the Northwest Passage
Northwest Passage

The Northwest Passage is a sea route through the Arctic Ocean, along the northern coast of North America via waterways amidst the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, connecting the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Oceans....
 during the summer navigable season and its approaches year-round, and will also be capable of full operations on the east and west coasts throughout the year. Critics have noted that the vessels are less capable than the three larger icebreakers Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper

Stephen Joseph Harper, Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Member of the Canadian House of Commons is the List of Prime Ministers of Canada and current Prime Minister of Canada, and leader of the Conservative Party of Canada....
 announced in 2006.

To conduct seaborne surveillance operations in the Arctic, a deep-water port at Nanisivik, Nunavut
Nanisivik, Nunavut

Nanisivik was a company town which was built in 1975 to support the lead-zinc mining and mineral processing operations for the Nanisivik Mine, in production between 1976 and 2002....
 will be constructed to allow the patrol ships to resupply and refuel.

Other
The Halifax-class Frigate Life Extension (FELEX) program has been established and a contract was awarded to Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin is a large Multinational corporation aerospace manufacturer and advanced technology company formed in 1995 by the Horizontal integration of Lockheed with Martin Marietta....
. It is believed that introduction of the active phased array
Phased array

This article is about general theory and electromagnetic phased array.'For the ultrasonic and medical imaging application, see phased array ultrasonics....
 radar (APAR) that the Canadian Forces developed with the Dutch navy will not be undertaken during FELEX due to the weight of the system and stability considerations. Canada is considering a 4-to-10 vessel replacement program for the Iroquois-class destroyers, likely involving the use of APAR. To save money, the replacement classes for the Iroquois- and Halifax-class ships will have identical hulls and propulsion systems
Marine propulsion

Marine propulsion is the act of moving a floating object over or through water. Propulsion devices can take many forms including: propeller, water jet , paddle wheel, sails, Punt , paddles, oars and, experimentally, magnetohydrodynamic drive....
.

A mid-life upgrade program for the Kingston-class patrol vessels appeared on a list of the Chief of the Maritime Staff's project priorities, but was cancelled. The navy has plans to replace the Iroquois class destroyer with the Province-class destroyer
Province-class destroyer

The Province-class destroyer is the name given by naval observers for the expected replacement of the that has served the Canadian Forces since 1972....
. The Department of National Defence has not identified a procurement timeframe for the Iroquois replacements, although it has been reported that design work is underway and a project office and personnel have been assigned.

Senior leadership


Commanders of Maritime Command

  1. Vice Admiral
    Vice Admiral

    Vice Admiral is a naval rank equivalent to Lieutenant General in seniority. A Vice Admiral is typically senior to a Rear Admiral and junior to an Admiral....
     J.C. O'Brien 1968–1970
  2. Vice Admiral H.A. Porter 1970–1971
  3. Rear Admiral R.W Timbrell 1971–1973
  4. Vice Admiral D.S. Boyle 1973–1977
  5. Vice Admiral A.L Collier 1977–1979
  6. Vice Admiral J Allan 1979–1980
  7. Vice Admiral J.A. Fulton 1980–1983
  8. Vice Admiral J.C. Wood 1983–1987
  9. Vice Admiral C.M Thomas 1987–1989
  10. Vice Admiral R.E. George 1989–1991
  11. Vice Admiral (later Admiral) John Rogers Anderson
    John Rogers Anderson

    John Rogers Anderson, Order of Military Merit , Canadian Forces Decoration is a Canada retired Admiral and civil servant.Anderson was born in BC and attended UBC and graduated with a BSc and attended a Long Operations Officers course....
     1991–1992
  12. Vice Admiral P.W. Cairns 1992–1994
  13. Vice Admiral Larry Murray 1994–1995
  14. Vice Admiral L. Mason 1995–1997


Chiefs of the Maritime Staff

  1. Vice Admiral G. Garnett 1997–1997
  2. Vice Admiral G Maddison 1997–2001
  3. Vice Admiral R.D. Buck 2001–2004
  4. Vice Admiral M.B. McLean 2004–2006
  5. Vice Admiral D.W. Robertson 2006–


See also

  • List of ships of the Canadian Navy
    List of ships of the Canadian Navy

    This is a list of Royal Canadian Navy ships that have served past and present, from 1911–1968 and Canadian Forces Maritime Command of the Canadian Forces from 1968–present....
  • List of Royal Canadian Navy stations
    List of Royal Canadian Navy stations

    This is a list of shore-based facilities operated by the Royal Canadian Navy from its creation in 1911 until unification into the Canadian Forces on February 1, 1968....
  • Uniforms of the Canadian Forces#Navy
    Uniforms of the Canadian Forces

    Prior to unification in 1968, the uniforms of the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force were similar to their counterparts in the forces of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth of Nations countries, save for national identifiers and some regimental accoutrements....
  • Canadian Forces ranks and insignia
    Canadian Forces ranks and insignia

    This is a table of the ranks and insignia of the Canadian Forces. As the Canadian Forces are officially bilingual, the French language ranks are in italics....
  • Canadian Coast Guard
    Canadian Coast Guard

    The Canadian Coast Guard is the coast guard of Canada.It is the civilian federal agency responsible for providing maritime search and rescue on its national portion of international waters such as the Great Lakes and St....


External links