Navy to retire eight warships from Kingston-class fleet
Canada’s Royal Canadian Navy will retire eight of its older warships from its Kingston-class fleet this fall.
Canada’s Royal Canadian Navy will retire eight of its older warships from its Kingston-class fleet this fall.
“Kingston-class vessels have provided the Royal Canadian Navy with a significant, impactful, and flexible capability throughout their many years of service,” said RCN Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee in a statement on Thursday.
“They have provided a training ground for many of our sailors, where key skills and roles have been learned. These ships have contributed important mine countermeasure roles on international operations and have regularly participated in exercises with partner navies abroad, and with the Royal Canadian Navy fleet along our Canadian coastlines,” said Topshee.
According to the navy, eight of its 12 Kingston-class vessels will be removed from service following “paying off” ceremonies in Halifax and Esquimalt, B.C.
“Paying off” ceremonies for HMC Ships Shawinigan, Summerside, Goose Bay, Glace Bay, and Kingston will be held in Halifax, while for HMC Ships Saskatoon, Whitehorse, and Brandon will occur in Esquimalt.
The ceremony involves the naval jack, ensign, and commissioning pennant being hauled down and the crew departing the ship for the last time.
Following a paying off ceremony, the ship is no longer referred to as His Majesty’s Canadian Ship.
“The RCN’s four remaining operational Kingston-class vessels will consolidate under Canadian Fleet Atlantic in Halifax, N.S. As such, HMCS Moncton will remain based in Halifax, HMC Ships Yellowknife and Edmonton recently transferred to the east coast, and HMCS Nanaimo will transit to Halifax later this year,” wrote the navy in a release. “This will support current operational commitments, and efficient maintenance and crewing of the remaining Kingston-class vessels and the broader RCN fleet.”
Officially known as Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels, the ships were built and launched in the 1990s.
The ships have been deployed to operations in the eastern Pacific, Caribbean, off West Africa and in European waters.
These Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels were deployed on Operation CARIBBE in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean, Operation PROJECTION in West Africa, and Operation REASSURANCE in European waters.
“They have also conducted nuclear submarine escorts, national and international exercises, and have supported the training of several naval occupations,”reads the release.
Additionally, they were involved in multiple domestic operations across Canada’s three oceans.
The primary mission of these ships is coastal surveillance and patrol.
“As we move towards the future of the Royal Canadian Navy, I want to recognize the service of these ships and extend my tremendous gratitude to all who have sailed within them,” said Topshee.
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And What is replacing them??
Down sizing I guess. No replacements. And con carney said he was going to increase the armed forces to the required 2% GDP. Guess maybe that increase will be on purchasing tampons and dispensers. And new rainbow armed forces signs, perhaps life threatening bouncy castles, and such like. I think we should send the last one to sea with a grand tour for con carney and friends. And let her sink mid Atlantic.