Operations

His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Vancouver completes rearmament in Australia

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His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Vancouver completed a forward rearmament in Australia on September 23, more than halfway through its six-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region on Operation HORIZON.

The significant missile rearmament in Australia was a first for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). The rearmament coordination and execution were nine months in the making, with planning having commenced in January 2024, which was made possible in part due to the close coordination and cooperation of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Chief Petty Officer Nathan Duke, Petty Officer Andrew Small and Sergeant Evan Stevens along with members of Kimberley Ports Authority observe as an Evolved SeaSparrow Missile is lowered into place aboard HMCS VANCOUVER (FFH 331) making it Royal Canadian Navy’s first missile rearmament outside of Canada and the United States and its territories on 23 September 2024 at Broome Port Jetty, Broome, Australia during OP HORIZON. OP HORIZON is a comprehensive Canadian Armed Forces operation that strengthens peace and security across the Indo-Pacific (I-P) region. Photo: Aviator Conor R.G. Munn, Canadian Armed Forces Imagery Technician.

Canada’s Operational Range

Lieutenant-General Steve Boivin, Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command, remarked that the ability to conduct a forward rearmament this far from home increases Canada’s operational range in the region.

“It will enable us to be better able to respond when called upon to protect and defend Canada and our allies. Making this forward rearmament in a new location a reality was the result of a great deal of hard work and coordination with our allies and partners, and I am very proud of what our deployed personnel and those here in Canada have achieved. This capability increases our range while on operations in the Indo-Pacific region and maintains our force’s flexibility.”

Members of the Kimberley Ports Authority guide and lower crates aboard HMCS VANCOUVER (FFH 331) during Royal Canadian Navy’s first rearmament of missiles outside of Canada and the United States and its territories on 23 September 2024 at Broome Port Jetty, Broome, Australia during OP HORIZON. Photo: Aviator Conor R.G. Munn, Canadian Armed Forces Imagery Technician.

He added that having the capability to rearm far from a Canadian homeport is a significant achievement.

“Accomplishing it with the support of allies and partners demonstrates the strength of Canada’s relationships in the Indo-Pacific region. This rearmament process allows the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to strengthen its interoperability and interchangeability through the sharing of information, techniques, and lessons learned that will allow for more agility moving forward.”

Ammunition for the rearmament was transported from Canada to Darwin, Australia, via a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CC-177 Globemaster, where it was stored until the ship’s arrival. Above image: A CC-177 Globemaster aircraft from 429 Transport Squadron sits at Nowra Airport, Australia during Operation RENAISSANCE 20-01, on 6 February 2020. Photo: Sergeant Vincent Carbonneau, Canadian Forces Combat Camera.

Three Multinational Maritime

Since HMCS Vancouver’s deployment in June 2024, the ship has participated in three multinational maritime exercises and expended munitions, including two vertically launched missiles at Exercise RIM OF THE PACIFIC (RIMPAC) 2024.

Ammunition for the rearmament was transported from Canada to Darwin, Australia, via a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CC-177 Globemaster, where it was stored until the ship’s arrival.

The rearmament was then transported to Broome, Australia, by the Australian Air Force and civilian contractors and loaded onto the ship. During the rearmament, Canadian Forces Ammunition Depot staff members were on the ground, with members from the Australian Defence Industry (ADI) and the Royal Australian Navy to support.

The logistics of facilitating a technical rearmament process occurring far from a Canadian Naval Base are complex, stated Commander Tyson Bergmann, HMCS Vancouver Commanding Officer, “The support from elements of the ADF and ADI were instrumental in the success of this mission. The crew of HMCS Vancouver demonstrated our ability to effectively rearm far from home and stay combat effective for longer deployments throughout the world. The work that the sailors, aviators, and soldiers serving aboard HMCS Vancouver completed will be used as an example of how much we can achieve as a navy working with our allies around the world.”

HMCS Vancouver

HMCS Vancouver is a Halifax-class frigate with a crew of approximately 240 personnel comprised of RCN sailors and RCAF aviators who fly and support the ship’s embarked CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopter.

Through the Joint Statement on Strengthening the Canada-Australia Defence Relationship, Australia and Canada have committed to enhancing the interoperability of their armed forces and exploring ways to reduce barriers to collaboration, including arrangements to facilitate value-added defence and industrial activities and support operational cooperation.

Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy involves a comprehensive and integrated framework for increased Canadian engagement across the Indo-Pacific region. CAF continues to work alongside allies and partners in the region to promote a stable and secure Indo-Pacific.