Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ship AOPS

[PrairieFella]

In the words of Harold MacMIllan: "Events, dear boy, events!"

The situation changes. A flight of UAVs and a couple of boxes of NSMs would greatly extend the area of constabulary influence of the AOPS, especially useful in the remote areas in which the AOPS operate and when confronting the hybrid warfare vessels of the Shadow Fleet.

Or - we use it in its intended roles and build a fleet of corvettes or something. Maybe which prioritize continental defence or something

 

[lenaitch]

In the words of Harold MacMIllan: "Events, dear boy, events!"

The situation changes. A flight of UAVs and a couple of boxes of NSMs would greatly extend the area of constabulary influence of the AOPS, especially useful in the remote areas in which the AOPS operate and when confronting the hybrid warfare vessels of the Shadow Fleet.

I suppose you could stick a NSM seacan on a CCG or Fednav ship, or maybe even a Atlantic coastal ferry if there is room. One wonders how well the ships and crews are equipped to deal with the inevitable event of the enemy shooting back.

 

[Rainbow1910]

Not exactly alot of room back there, with gasoline storage, two compressed gas lockers, POL stores etc and 2 JP5 tanks in the vicinity.

Besides the issues actually fitting these weaponized seacans aboard, you are cutting into the ships ability to operate on its designed missions by removing its flight deck/cargo deck from operation. You'd also need a way to actually locate and target your foe with enough clarity for a proper firing solution, we cannot just be tossing anti-ship missiles around the Arctic or wherever else.

 

[Halifax Tar]

In the words of Harold MacMIllan: "Events, dear boy, events!"

The situation changes. A flight of UAVs and a couple of boxes of NSMs would greatly extend the area of constabulary influence of the AOPS, especially useful in the remote areas in which the AOPS operate and when confronting the hybrid warfare vessels of the Shadow Fleet.

I truly hope the RCN never reaches the point where you believe this may be required.

And I truly hope, if we do, that that crew gets the extra life insurance from SISP; and that their SDBs are all in order.

Or - we use it in its intended roles and build a fleet of corvettes or something. Maybe which prioritize continental defence or something

You just might be asking for more than Canadians are willing to give... But you are 100% correct.

 

[PrairieFella]

You just might be asking for more than Canadians are willing to give... But you are 100% correct.

If the rumours are to be believed - there is something happening on that front.

 

[YZT580]

If the rumours are to be believed - there is something happening on that front.

fingers crossed.

 

[Halifax Tar]

If the rumours are to be believed - there is something happening on that front.

Intentions and announcements are great.

 

[PrairieFella]

Intentions and announcements are great.

Im choosing to be optimistic with all of the big wins we've had lately. Simple as.

 

[Halifax Tar]

Im choosing to be optimistic with all of the big wins we've had lately. Simple as.

Keep up the good fight, I suppose.

 

[PrairieFella]

Keep up the good fight, I suppose.

It costs nothinng to be positive.

 

[Halifax Tar]

It costs nothinng to be positive.

View attachment 102787

You are absolutely correct.

 

[DBNSG]

So while crossing the Macdonald Bridge this afternoon from Halifax to Dartmouth the future CCG ship Donjek was
sailing by HMC Dockyard on its way to Sea. I have seen its AIS as offshore tonight. Sorry no Images as stopping my Car on the Macdonald would lead to close personal harm by my fellow Haligonians.

 

[oldcpu]

I have been watching (on again, off again) the AIS for the HMCS Robert Hampton Gray as she cross the Arctic, destined for Esquimalt.

She departed the East Coast back in August this year, reference: Canadian warship begins historic Northwest Passage voyage from Halifax to Esquimalt

I note a post on X (twitter) with image of her entering Juneau Alaska, after having successfully transited the Arctic.

I speculate, as years go by, Arctic transits may become more common, which if that is to be the case, the knowledge of the RCN and experience of the RCN will possibly significantly increase in this regard - which I speculate will be a major challenge as manpower shortages and other issues are resolved. ... Still, I like to think this is an important step forward re Arctic sovereignty.

 

[Stoker]

I have been watching (on again, off again) the AIS for the HMCS Robert Hampton Gray as she cross the Arctic, destined for Esquimalt.

She departed the East Coast back in August this year, reference: Canadian warship begins historic Northwest Passage voyage from Halifax to Esquimalt

I note a post on X (twitter) with image of her entering Juneau Alaska, after having successfully transited the Arctic.

I speculate, as years go by, Arctic transits may become more common, which if that is to be the case, the knowledge of the RCN and experience of the RCN will possibly significantly increase in this regard - which I speculate will be a major challenge as manpower shortages and other issues are resolved. ... Still, I like to think this is an important step forward re Arctic sovereignty.

The RCN already has considerable Arctic experience through almost yearly deployments. I have nine Arctic deployments myself. We also have an established lessons learned system that captures experience from those deployments and incorporates it into our SOPs, which we continuously review and refine.

I would also put the passage itself into perspective. Commercial ships have been transiting it for years. A few years ago, we had a Kingston class ship, with very limited ice capability, sail from Esquimalt into the Western Arctic. The plan was for an East Coast Kingston class ship to meet her, and that was achievable under suitable conditions. These passages require careful planning and respect for the conditions, but they are hardly unprecedented undertakings but still looks good to the public.

The real benefit of the AOPS is the greater operating flexibility and longer seasonal presence they provide. Their contribution to sovereignty comes from what they do while deployed: patrols, surveillance, community engagement and support to other government departments.

Robert Hampton Gray’s deployment is worthwhile, but the Northwest Passage transit should be viewed in the context of the experience and capability the RCN already possesses.