Re: Royal Canadian Navy

by Garrison Thu 05 Jan 2023, 11:32 am

Cost of new Arctic patrol ships jumps by $780 million

The extra money was needed to deal with reduced labour availability, higher costs as a result of COVID protocols such as screening and cleaning, and price increases on transportation and spare parts

David Pugliese • Ottawa Citizen

Published Jan 05, 2023

The cost of Canada’s new Arctic and Offshore Patrol ships has jumped by another $780 million over the last year, according to figures provided by the federal government.

The government has signed a contract amendment with Irving Shipbuilding in Halifax for the construction of the vessels, also known as AOPS.

Last year the project cost for the six ships for the Royal Canadian Navy was listed at around $4.3 billion. That has now increased to $4.98 billion, according to the government.

In addition, the new figures show that the cost of two AOPS for the Canadian Coast Guard has increased from $1.5 billion to $1.6 billion.

National Defence and Public Services and Procurement Canada noted in a statement sent Wednesday to this newspaper that the extra money was needed to deal with reduced labour availability, higher costs as a result of COVID protocols such as screening and cleaning, and price increases on transportation and spare parts.

But Conservative MP Kelly McCauley, chairperson of the House of Commons committee on government operations and estimates, said spending on the AOPS project is out of control and there is no oversight on the program. “What a disgrace,” he said. McCauley noted taxpayers are spending yet more money for “ships riddled with problems.”

Last month this newspaper reported that the first AOPS, HMCS Harry DeWolf, will be out of service until April because of ongoing mechanical problems, but the military doesn’t yet have an idea how much repairs are going to cost.

Concerns have also been raised about the safety of the drinking water on the AOPS. An investigation revealed that some fittings and valves in the potable water system were manufactured from alloys that exceeded the allowable amount of lead, National Defence confirmed. Irving Shipbuilding installed the fittings and valves on HMCS Harry DeWolf, HMCS Margaret Brooke, HMCS Max Bernays, and HMCS William Hall.

Irving spokesperson Mary Keith noted last month that “Canada and Irving Shipbuilding have been working together to address design issues that, under certain conditions, could contribute to degradation of potable water systems on delivered ships.”

In addition, HMCS Max Bernays was accepted in September from Irving even though a system that allows the vessel to manoeuvre wasn’t functioning properly.

There were also problems with the fire suppression system on HMCS Harry DeWolf.

HMCS Harry DeWolf was officially delivered by Irving to the navy on July 31, 2020.

The AOPS program has, over the years, faced delays and cost increases. In January 2015, the federal government originally announced it had awarded Irving Shipbuilding a $2.6-billion contract to build five AOPS. In 2018, that deal was expanded to add a sixth vessel.

But in 2017, the Senate Defence Committee raised concerns about the capabilities of the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships. “This (concern) is based on the fact that these ships cannot operate in ice more than a metre thick, are slower than a BC Ferry, can only operate in the Arctic from June to October and will require a Coast Guard escort when in the northern waters,” the senators pointed out in their report. “These limitations are troubling and raise the question of whether the taxpayers are receiving value for the monies spent.”

In the past, federal bureaucrats have been sensitive about news coverage of AOPS issues. In March 2019, officials with National Defence and Public Services and Procurement Canada warned Irving this newspaper was asking questions about problems with welds on the AOPS. Irving, in turn, threatened this newspaper with legal action.

National Defence, however, later confirmed there had been minor issues with welding on the AOPS and the article was published. No lawsuit was filed.

Other federal shipbuilding projects have also been plagued by cost overruns and delays.

But federal politicians and officials have hailed the national shipbuilding program a success.

When she was procurement minister Anita Anand, praised the shipbuilding strategy as delivering long-term, sustainable benefits for domestic industries.

In June 2022, Defence Minister Anand pushed back against what she said was a “narrative” that the military procurement process was plagued with problems, claiming there were numerous success stories. In 2021, National Defence boasted to Parliament that military equipment procurement was not only well managed but also that all programs were within budget and on schedule.

Defence Watch

by **Starman** Fri 06 Jan 2023, 11:29 am

Price tag for navy, coast guard patrol ships soars to $6.5 billion

Murray Brewster · CBC News · Posted: Jan 06, 2023

Royal Canadian Navy - Page 3 Aops-hmcs-harry-dewolf

CBC News

by Covert Tue 10 Jan 2023, 7:09 am

HMCS Glace Bay, HMCS Moncton depart Halifax for Operation Projection in West Africa

Published Jan. 9, 2023

Royal Canadian Navy - Page 3 Operation-projection-1-6223145-1673282950855

CTV News

by Garrison Mon 23 Jan 2023, 7:36 am

HMCS Fredericton deploys on Operation Reassurance

Published Jan. 22, 2023

Last minute hugs and well-wishes sent the crew of HMCS Fredericton off on a six month deployment.

“We have a bristol-board with all the months and she marks it off every day with the little number of counter we take the numbers and switch them out,” said Adelia Franklin whose spouse is aboard the frigate.

Leading seaman Donald O’Leary is leaving for his second mission in two years, but saying goodbye doesn't get easier.

“Leaving family is always tough but it’s the job we signed up for and we know it’s coming and we’ve had lots of time to prepare for it but it doesn’t make it easier,” said O’Leary.

The Fredericton will sail with HMCS Montreal and HMCS Asterix to the Mediterranean Sea as part of Operation Reassurance.

“There absolutely is a heightened sense of urgency,” said Rear-Admiral Brian Santarpia.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has raised tensions in the region.

The three Canadian ships will support NATO's efforts in the area.

“They will monitor Russian activity on a daily basis. They will do exercises in training to make sure that we’re inter-operable with our allies and that we are ready for any emergency and if that happens we will contribute on behalf of Canada,” said Santarpia.

Coxswain Keegan Dawson has been in the navy for 25 years, this will be his longest deployment.

“We’ve got a great crew and when you have a great crew it makes everybody’s job a lot easier. There will be a lot of heavy hearts today but over the next few days everybody will rebound and we will start focussing toward the mission that we’re going on,” Dawson said.

HMCS Fredericton is scheduled to return at the end of July. The mission could be extended if needed.

CTV News Atlantic

by Covert Mon 27 Mar 2023, 11:34 am

HMCS Montréal, supply vessel leave Halifax on 6-month deployment

Trip will take ships to Indian, Pacific oceans

Vernon Ramesar · CBC News · Posted: Mar 26, 2023

Royal Canadian Navy - Page 3 Departure-of-hmcs-montreal

CBC News

by Thunder Sat 01 Apr 2023, 7:57 pm

Navy ships return to Halifax following deployments to West Africa, Haiti

Alex MacIsaac

Published March 31, 2023

CTV News

by **Luxray** Tue 04 Apr 2023, 5:01 pm

Canadian government doesn’t scale back on Chinese steel in new navy patrol ships

Steel for Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships was bought from European suppliers, with about 17 per cent of that being purchased from China.

David Pugliese • Ottawa Citizen
Published Apr 04, 2023

Canada has yet to determine how much Chinese steel and equipment will go into its new naval warships, but it didn’t scale back on such products for its Arctic and offshore patrol vessels even though concerns were raised in 2018.

Canada-Chinese relations have been rocky for several years. In October 2022, Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre told MPs that China considered itself to be at war with the West and that Canada must rise to meet the challenge.

But that hasn’t changed efforts to source equipment and steel from China for the Canadian navy and Canadian Coast Guard’s new Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships, or AOPS.

Steel for AOPS was bought from European suppliers, with about 17 per cent of that being purchased from China. In addition, other equipment on the AOPS, from lifeboats to pipes and fittings to anchors and towing systems, was also produced by China, according to National Defence documents.

The accounting of Chinese products on AOPS, first reported by CBC in 2018, was done after concerns were raised by the United States about the involvement of Chinese firms in providing products for its defence industries. Despite the inquiries to the Department of National Defence by then International Trade Minister François-Philippe Champagne, there was no change of course on the AOPS program.

“With respect to the sourcing of materials or products used for the construction of the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships, there are no changes from what was previously reported,” Public Services and Procurement Canada official Stefanie Hamel confirmed.

Although there are materials, equipment and products from Chinese manufacturers on the vessels being constructed by Irving Shipbuilding, there is nothing of a sensitive nature, Hamel said.

Irving spokesperson Mary Keith said the shipyard had not yet determined how much Chinese steel or other components would be on the new Canadian Surface Combatants. That program, estimated to cost more than $80 billion, will involve the construction of warships to replace the navy’s current fleet of frigates.

The U.S. has a “Buy American” policy requiring only U.S.-produced steel in its warships. Britain used domestic steel in its aircraft carriers with steel from firms in France and Sweden for other military equipment.

But China has become an economic powerhouse over the decades thanks to foreign investment, increased productivity and technological innovations. It produces more than half of the world’s steel and is the largest producer of aluminum.

That has ramifications for defence. In December 2021, Australian news outlets revealed that country’s new naval patrol boats were being delayed because of poor-quality aluminum imported from China.

In September 2022, the Pentagon halted deliveries of the F-35 stealth fighter after discovering an alloy from China was used in the production of one aircraft part. Deliveries were restarted after the U.S. determined the material did not present a security issue for the planes, which Canada is also buying.

Catherine Cobden, president of the Canadian Steel Producers Association, said she couldn’t speak about specific projects such as AOPS or the Canadian Surface Combatant, but she noted that the association had been raising concerns to the federal government about the significant influx of foreign-made steel into the Canadian market.

Canadian producers continue to be undercut by countries with a history of unfair trade practices, Cobden said. In 2022 alone, hundreds of thousands of tonnes of steel came from countries with active anti-dumping cases against them.

In addition, Canadian steel producers are actively trying to reduce climate emissions as well as facing a carbon tax as part of government efforts to fight climate change, but offshore steel producers don’t face the same rules and surcharges.

As a result, domestic firms are losing market share to high carbon, offshore steel at an unprecedented rate, Cobden said. “Our view is that the government needs to ensure they are purchasing green steel. (Canadian firms) have some of the greenest steel.”

Defence Watch

by **Forcell** Mon 03 Jul 2023, 7:41 pm

Royal Canadian Navy ships leave Halifax to join NATO in Baltic mission

Published July 3, 2023

The Canadian Press

by **Zoneforce** Tue 15 Aug 2023, 5:01 pm

Canadian warships depart for Indo-Pacific operation, fulfilling promise to increase naval presence in region
Todd Coyne
Senior Digital News Producer, CTV News . Published Aug. 14, 2023

Royal Canadian Navy - Page 3 Hmcs-ottawa-1-6025277-1692045390937

CTV News Vancouver Island

by **Diesel** Thu 07 Sep 2023, 11:17 am

A Canadian warship has at least 3 encounters with Chinese ships as it patrols contested waters

David Common · CBC News · Posted: Sep 07, 2023

Royal Canadian Navy - Page 3 Common-indo-pacific-chinese-vessel

CBC News

by Xrayxservice Tue 12 Sep 2023, 11:18 am

Patrolling the high seas: An inside look at working, living and playing on board a Canadian warship

David Common · CBC News · Posted: Sep 11, 2023

Royal Canadian Navy - Page 3 Hmcs-ottawa-ronal-baliquig

CBC News

by **Colter** Wed 29 Nov 2023, 4:54 pm

Royal Canadian Navy says it is in a 'storm,' can no longer meet basic requirements

Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, says it is in 'critical state' due to personnel shortages

Tristin Hopper . Published Nov 29, 2023

In a starkly worded new video, the Royal Canadian Navy has warned that it is so under-resourced and understaffed that it may soon be unable to fulfil its basic commitments as a branch of the Canadian Armed Forces.

“The RCN faces some very serious challenges right now that could mean we fail to meet our force posture and readiness commitments in 2024 and beyond,” says Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, in a voiceover to a five-minute YouTube video directed at members of the service.

Topshee adds that the navy is in “critical state” that’s been exacerbated by a recruiting crisis that’s been ongoing for more than a decade.

“Despite their very best efforts, (Canadian Forces Recruiting Group) has not delivered the required intake for the RCN in over 10 years,” he says.

The video reveals that the Harry DeWolf class – the navy’s new offshore patrol vessels – can currently only be deployed one at a time due to personnel shortages. The 1990s-era Halifax-class frigates, which have already reached their 30-year life expectancy, are expected to remain the navy’s “only surface combatant” for at least the next 15 years.

“I wish it was not so, but I’m afraid there is no other choice,” said Topshee. The video concludes on an optimistic note, but calls the current situation a “storm.”

The video comes only a few weeks after the Department of Defence released a “results report” painting a similarly grim picture across the entirety of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Most notably, the report said that the military is rapidly becoming unable to conduct more than one operation at a time owing to a “decreasing number of personnel and issues with equipment and vehicles.”

A mere 51.2 per cent of the maritime fleet was listed as being “serviceable to meet training and readiness requirements” – despite the fact that this rate stood at 94.1 per cent just two years ago.

The RCAF was even more out-of-commission, with a mere 43.8 per cent of its aircraft meeting serviceability requirements.

The Canadian military has already begun missing high-profile international deployments due to equipment shortages. In June, it missed a NATO air exercise in Europe because almost all of its fighter aircraft were in the shop undergoing “modernization.”

But the report implies that the military is so overstretched it may soon struggle to deliver even basic disaster response at home.

“The growing demands for (disaster response) challenged the already unstable foundation of operational readiness given personnel shortfalls, equipment deficiencies, and insufficient sustainment including critical stores of ammunition,” it reads.

All the while, the Trudeau government is moving forward with plans to cut the Canadian defence budget for the foreseeable future – the only G7 country to do so.

National Post

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