With the prospect of an ORCA-class replacement on the horizon, perhaps it’s time to take a serious look at developing something a little more robust and versatile than the current design. While the primary role will remain training, the new class should not be limited to that alone.
The replacement vessel should be designed to function as an operational platform if required, able to embark limited mission packages, operate small drones or RHIBs, and mount .50-calibre machine guns when the situation demands. It should also be capable of handling moderate sea states on both coasts, steel hull, bow thruster ensuring that future RCN and Naval Reserve crews can train and operate in realistic conditions rather than being confined to fair-weather limits. The ships should be civilian standards, easy to maintain and able to be docked and maintained in any small yard.
With the expansion of the RCN and growing emphasis on coastal and Arctic presence, enough of these new vessels should be procured for both coasts, with the possibility of additional hulls dedicated to the Naval Reserve. A modern, seaworthy platform could bridge the gap between classroom instruction and real-world seamanship while offering the flexibility to fill secondary operational roles such as surveillance, patrol, and maritime security when required.
