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:
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 !
