Aug 27, 2010

Future of the Canadian Navy

With the door of the artic ocean expected to be completely open by late 2030’s (by ice melt), don’t forget this new Nordic challenge !




CANADIAN NAVY:

15 Destroyers/Frigates (likely to drop to 8/12 by late 2020's):

12 Halifax Frigates

(Halifax, Vancouver, ville de quebec, Toronto, regina, Calgary, montreal, fredericton, winnipeg, charlettetown, st john’s, Ottawa), 4700 tons ASW oriented ship, commissioned by 1992/1996. With probable 30 year service life expected, to be retired by 2022/2026.

3 Iroquois destroyers

(Iroquois, Athabaskan, Algonquin), 5100 tons ASW destroyers, commissioned by 1972, heavily modernized by 1990’s. Likely to be not directly replaced by a newer Canadian surface combatant ships.

These 2 classes of ships should be replaced by a new common frigate/destroyers class by late 2010’s/late 2020’s. By cons, it is very likely that these 15 current ships are replaced by larger (5000/6000 tons) and fewer (8 to 12) new ships. Possible design contenders:

- British type 26 (or a "canadianized" version of the type 26) or C1/C2 "concept".

- French Fremm (6000 tons) or FM 400 (4000 tons).

- Or a Canadian indigenous design ?

Current others foreign design (US, German, Spanish, Italian) were unlikely.

12 Patrols boats (likely to drop at 6/8 by 2020’s decade):

12 Kingston PB's

(Kingston, Glace Bay, Nanaimo, Edmonton, Shawinigan, Whitehorse, Yellowknife, Goose Bay, Moncton, Saskatoon, Brandon, Summerside), 970 tons patrol boats, commissioned by 1996/1999. With probable 25+ year service life. To be retired by 2021/2024. Some serious rumors rise by early 2010 that this ship class will be reduced by half in event of budget cuts, this situation prove the Canadian disregard about current small/coastal warfare.

4 Submarines:

4 Victoria SSK

(Victoria, Windsor, Corner Brook, Chicoutimi), 2200 tons SSK submarines, initially in service with Royal Navy by 1990/91, re-commissioned by Canadian navy by 2000/2004. This class suffered from considerable problems in initial Canadian service. With a probable 25+ year service life expected, to be retired by 2020’s-early 2030’s. A replacement programe were currently really "dubious" and in +/- serious doubts...

2 Fleet Tanker ships:

2 Protecteur class

(Protecteur, Preserver), +/- 24 000 tons fleet tanker, commissioned by 1969/1970. Now completely worn out and to be retired by mid 2010’s and replaced by 2 newer "JSS" (Joint Support Ship). Official option for a 3th "JJS" ship were clearly a big joke and any real hope to have this third ship were real (this fleet tanker project replacement suffered from delays/cost-overuns since 2008).

9 Training ship:

1 Oriole class

"Oriole", 92 tons sailing ship, commissioned by 1952.

8 Orca class

(Orca, Raven, Caribou, Renard, Wolf, Grizzly, Cougar, Moose), 210 tons, likely to be dual purpose (training/light patrol ship), commissioned by 2006/2008.

2 Fireboats:

2 "fire" class fireboats

(Firebrand, Firebird), 140 tons.

11 Tugboats:

5 Glen class

(Glendyne, Glendale, Glenevis, Glenbrook, Glenside), 250 tons.

1 Tilicum

"Tilicum", 140 tons.

5 Ville class tugs

(Lawrenceville, Parksville, Listerville, Merrickville, Marysville), 45 tons.

10 Auxiliary ships:

2 Auxiliary torpedo/sound ranging vessels

(Sikanni, Stikine).

3 Yard diving tenders

2 Sechelt class (Sechelt, Sooke), 1991.

1 Granby.

5 Yard auxiliary

(Pelican, Gemini, Pegasus, Albatross, Blackduck).


CANADIAN COAST GUARDS:

2 heavy Artic-Icebreakers:

1 “Louis.S. St-Laurent” type, 11400 tons, commissioned by 19­­69. These replacement project likely delayed until late 2010’s...

1 “Terry-Fox” type, 4200 tons, commissioned by 1992, with +/- 30 years service life, to be retired by mid 2020's.

4 Artic-Icebreakers:

2 Amundsen class ("Amundsen”, "Des Groseilliers"), 5900 tons, 98 meters, commissioned by 1979/1982.

1 « Henry Larsen », likely a improved "amundsen" design, 6100 tons, 100 meters, 1987.

1 « Pierre Radisson », 1978.

+/- 7 light icebreakers/buoy support vessel:

2 "Ann Harvey" type (« Ann Harvey », " Sir William Alexander), 3800 tons, 83 meters, 1987.

1 “Edward Cornwallis”.

1 “George R Pearkes”, 1986.

1 “Griffon”, 2200 tons, 71 meters, 1970.

1 “Martha L Black”, 1986.

1 “Sir Wilfrid Laurier”, 5000 tons, 83 meters, 1986.

These 1970/1980's ships were expected to be replaced by a new group of +/- 6 or 8 new artic OPV.

2 Offshore Fishery & oceanographic research ships:

1 “Hudson”, 3400 tons, 92 meters, 1963. To be replaced by a newer 90/100 meters ship by early 2010's.

1 “John P Tully”, 1985.

4 Offshore Fishery science:

1 “Alfred Needler”, 950 tons, 50 meters, 1982

1 “Teleost”, 1988.

1 “W E Ricker”, 1978.

1 “Wilfred Templeman”, 1981.

These 4 ships were currently replaced by 3 newer 67 meters ships commissioned by 2010/2012.

5 Marine service

1 “Bartlett”, 1300 tons, 57 meters, 1969.

1 “Earl Grey”, 1986.

1 “provo Wallis”.

1 “Samuel Risley”, 1900 tons, 69 meters, 1985.

1 “Tracy”.

4 Offshore patrol:

1 “cape Roger”, 1200 tons, 62 meters, 1977.

1 “Cygnus”, 1200 tons, 62 meters, 1982.

1 “Leonard J Cowley”, 1200 tons, 62 meters, 1984.

1 “Sir Wilfred Grenfeld”, 2400 tons, 68 meters, 1987.

7 Mid-Shore patrol vessel:

(Arrow Post, E P Le Quebecois, Gordon Reid, Harp, Louis M Lauzier, Louisbourg, Tanu), 37/49 meters.

9 newer mid-shore patrol vessel (derived from the 42 meters Damen Stan 4207 patrol vessel design) were under deliveries (all received by 2012).

6 Hydrographic survey ships:

“Frederick G Creed”.

“ Limnos”, 44 meters, 1968.

“ Matthew, R B Young, Otter Bay, Vector”, 1960’s.

4 Special naval tenders:

(Dumit, Eckaloo, Nahidik, Tembah).

6 Mid shore fishery research ships:

(Calanus II, Neocaligus, Opilio, Pandalus II, Shamook, Shark (retired 2009)).

3 new Inshore Fisheries Science Vessel (two 18 meters and one 24 meters ships) were under delivery (all received by 2011).

2 Channel survey/sounding vessel:

(F C G Smith, GC-03).

5 Overcrafts:

2 type 400 AP1-88 ACV (Sipu Muin, Siyay).

1 type 200 AP1-88 ACV (Waban-Aki).

2 others (Mamilossa, Penac).

36 Motor Lifeboats (+/- 15 meters):

36 "cape" class motor life boat.

Others small boats:

(navigation vessel; some RHIB (Zodiac Hurricance Mk IV, V, VI, 733, 753 solas designs)).

A project for 98 newer very small crafts/boats/barges were under study to replace ageing small auxiliary crafts/harbor barges.

Canadian Naval aviation (Navy), estimations:

+/- 27 Helico:

- 27 CH-124 Sea King, 1960’s era helico, to be replaced by 28 newer CH-148 Cyclone.

+/- 21 Aircrafts:

21 CP-140 Aurora (18 CP-140, 3 CP-140A), in service since 1980-1990’s. Some aircrafts were now under modernization.

Canadian Naval Aviation (Coast-Guards), estimations:

+/- 27 Helico:

- 16 Bo-105; 2 Bell 407; 4 Bell 212 Huey; 6 Bell 206 Jet Ranger; 1 Sikorsky S-91.

+/- 7 Aircrafts (survey and pollution surveillance)

- 2 de Havilland Dash 8; 3 Beech Super King B200; 1 De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter; 1 De Havilland Dash 7.

and, of course, don't forget the recent "official" "30 years canadian shipsbuilding plan" (even if it is already a big joke, so the future foreseables budgets cuts will soon make it obsolete...)

Next editorial: Future of the South Korean Navy.

It may be that in my opinion, I forgot programms ? (or made few mistakes ?), then said it ! Feel free to comment and give your opinion !