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Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Canada’s Navy Catastrophe: Outdated and Overmatched Warships

Canada Navy Warship Firing Gun
HMCS Charlottetown fires its 57mm Main Gun during a Gunnery Exercise (GUNEX) while conducting proficiency training as the ship transits the Atlantic Ocean on Operation REASSURANCE on 20 June 2024. Photo Credit: Aviator Gregory Cole, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

Key Points and Summary: Canada’s naval surface fleet is at a critical juncture, with aging Halifax-class frigates and inadequate Arctic capabilities threatening maritime security and sovereignty. The Canadian Surface Combatant program aims to replace aging vessels with advanced warships, but delays and cost overruns raise concerns.

-Canada’s Arctic ambitions also demand specialized assets like icebreakers and polar-ready ships. A comprehensive strategy must prioritize fleet modernization, Arctic-specific capabilities, collaboration with allies, and Indigenous partnerships.

-These efforts are vital to maintaining Canada’s maritime presence, countering geopolitical threats from Russia and China, and asserting sovereignty in the rapidly changing Arctic region.

Canada’s Aging Navy: Why Surface Fleet Modernization Is Urgent

The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) is at a crossroads. Canada’s naval surface fleet, which has long been a cornerstone of its maritime security and sovereignty, is increasingly ill-equipped to meet the demands of modern naval operations. As global challenges evolve, particularly in the Arctic, the inadequacies of Canada’s surface fleet are becoming glaringly apparent.

To maintain its status as a credible maritime power, Canada must modernize its naval capabilities and address the systemic issues that threaten to undermine its security and strategic objectives.

Canada’s surface fleet is aging. The Halifax-class frigates, once the pride of the RCN, are nearing the end of their operational life. Introduced in the early 1990s, these frigates were designed for a different era, and while mid-life upgrades have extended their usability, they are no match for the technological and operational demands of the 21st century. Similarly, the Kingston-class maritime coastal defense vessels lack the range, endurance, and capabilities needed for modern naval engagements, let alone the unique challenges of Arctic operations. These aging platforms not only limit Canada’s ability to project power but also hinder its capacity to respond effectively to emerging threats.

The Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) program is intended to address these shortcomings by replacing the aging Halifax-class frigates with up to 15 state-of-the-art warships. These vessels, based on advanced designs like the British Type 26 frigate, are expected to feature cutting-edge sensors, weapon systems, and propulsion technologies. They will be capable of operating in diverse maritime environments, from the Pacific to the Arctic.

However, the program has been beset by delays and cost overruns, with lifecycle costs now projected to exceed CAD 300 billion. This raises serious questions about Canada’s ability to deliver the ships on time and within budget, threatening the RCN’s operational readiness.

While the CSC program is essential, it is not a panacea. Canada’s Arctic ambitions require more than a modernized fleet of surface combatants. The Arctic is an environment unlike any other, demanding specialized capabilities such as ice-strengthened hulls, advanced navigation systems for polar conditions, and robust logistical support for sustained operations in remote and inhospitable regions. Without these enhancements, even the most advanced surface combatants will struggle to operate effectively in the Arctic.

Polar icebreakers are another critical component of Canada’s Arctic strategy. These vessels are indispensable for maintaining sovereignty, enabling scientific research, and ensuring the safe navigation of increasingly accessible shipping routes. Yet, Canada’s icebreaker fleet is outdated and inadequate. Investing in a new generation of Arctic-capable icebreakers is not merely a matter of national pride but a strategic necessity. Without these assets, Canada risks ceding strategic ground to more ambitious players like Russia, which has deployed a formidable fleet of Arctic-capable vessels.

Canada’s strategy must also reflect a commitment to geopolitical restraint. While the militarization of the Arctic by powers like Russia and the growing influence of China demand vigilance, Canada should resist the temptation to escalate through an arms race. Instead, it must focus on building a persistent and credible presence in the region, leveraging advanced surveillance systems, modernized warning infrastructure, and multi-role naval platforms. Sovereignty is not claimed through saber-rattling but demonstrated through consistent and meaningful action.

Collaboration with allies will be critical in addressing the challenges facing Canada’s surface fleet and its broader Arctic strategy. The modernization of NORAD offers a valuable opportunity to enhance domain awareness and improve coordination in the face of shared threats. Strengthening ties with NATO allies, particularly those with Arctic interests, can amplify Canada’s capabilities while distributing the financial and operational burdens of securing the region.

Moreover, Canada must continue to champion multilateral diplomacy through forums like the Arctic Council, reinforcing the Arctic’s status as a zone of cooperation rather than conflict.

Indigenous communities must play a central role in shaping Canada’s Arctic policies. The Inuit and other Indigenous peoples are not merely stakeholders but stewards of the Arctic’s environment and culture. Their traditional knowledge and lived experience are invaluable in crafting sustainable and inclusive policies. By prioritizing investments in Indigenous communities, Canada can build trust and strengthen its legitimacy in asserting Arctic sovereignty.

The condition of Canada’s naval surface fleet is a reflection of the nation’s broader strategic priorities. Without decisive action to modernize its fleet, acquire Arctic-specific capabilities, and adopt a coherent and sustainable strategy, Canada risks undermining its maritime security and diminishing its influence on the global stage.

The choices Canada makes today will determine whether it can rise to the challenge of becoming a leading Arctic power or whether it will be left behind in an era of rapid geopolitical change.

Canada’s Navy: A Story in Photos

Victoria-Class Submarine at Sea

Victoria-Class Submarine at Sea. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Victoria-Class Submarine Canada.

Victoria-Class Submarine Canada.

Victoria-Class Submarine from Canada.

Victoria-Class Submarine from Canada.

Victoria-Class Submarine Canada Navy

Victoria-Class Submarine Canadian Navy. Image Credit: Government Photo.

Canada Victoria-Class Submarine.

Canada Victoria-Class Submarine. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Victoria-Class Canada Submarine.

(Dec. 12, 2011) The Royal Canadian Navy long-range patrol submarine HMCS Victoria (SSK 876) arrives at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor for a port call and routine maintenance. The visit is Victoria’s first to Bangor since 2004. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Ed Early/Released)

Canada Navy

The Canadian frigate HMSC Toronto, seen here docked in Odessa, Ukraine, participated in Exercise Sea Breeze 2019, a multinational maritime exercise co-led by the United States and Ukraine. Nineteen nations participated, including 15 NATO Allies.

About the Author: Andrew Latham 

Andrew Latham is a non-resident fellow at Defense Priorities and a professor of international relations and political theory at Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN. Andrew is now a Contributing Editor to 19FortyFive. 

Written By

Andrew Latham is a professor of International Relations at Macalester College specializing in the politics of international conflict and security. He teaches courses on international security, Chinese foreign policy, war and peace in the Middle East, Regional Security in the Indo-Pacific Region, and the World Wars.

7 Comments

7 Comments

  1. Gene

    January 16, 2025 at 2:08 pm

    Thank you to our useless politicians of the past 40 years for leaving our armed forces in such a disastrous situation. A complete bunch of useless, spineless clowns.

  2. One-World-Order

    January 16, 2025 at 2:45 pm

    Ottawa could (for once) purchase the latest destroyers from south korea which have facilities for launching ballistic missiles.

    But problem is, will washington tolerate a neighbor with navy ships capable of launching ballistic rockets.

    There was a recent incident involving an anglo sub which fired a ballistic rocket near florida that went haywire and it crashed right back into florida waters after launch.

    If anglo subs can easily fire misguided rockets, What about canadian Navy. No hope at all.

  3. Larry Beattie

    January 17, 2025 at 10:16 am

    I think outsourcing would be the way to go here as building ships in Canada is very expensive because most shipyards need to be upgraded first as we build warships every 40 years.

  4. Kevin Curl

    January 17, 2025 at 1:22 pm

    Canada is more worried about DEI and liberal crap than protecting its country after years with Trudeau in office the country became a laughing stock when come to national defense . They aren’t like they were in late 70s early 80s when I participated with them in combined forces exercise

  5. Benoit Paquette

    January 17, 2025 at 6:02 pm

    Your video is all wrong 🙂 You don’t seem to know the difference between the Iroquois Class (destroyer) and the Halifax class(Fregate) and it’s not: HMSC it’s HMCS (Her majesty’s Canadian ship). You say: Ahh the iroquois class destroyer but in the video it’s the HMSC Toronto 333 Fregate. 335 is not Iroquoia it’s HMSC Toronto (Fregate). In the artic your showing a minesweeper a Victoria class. I watch your video onboard today and I had to go straight to the Heads;)

    Master Seaman Paquette
    HMCS Vancouver

  6. Duncan

    January 18, 2025 at 7:40 am

    Also we have 6 brand new ships built for the attic the last one is on sea trails now and will be delivered on time and I believe to be on budget do your home work before you write an article on our navy

  7. Robert Williams

    January 19, 2025 at 6:37 pm

    Face it. The RCN is nothing more than a glorified Coast Guard.

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