HMCS Vancouver pursues its activities on the Pacific Coast during WESTPLOY 16

Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Vancouver has arrived in Brisbane, Australia, on Wednesday, November 2nd, where it will partake in the WESTPLOY 16 training, aimed at building strong ties between our Royal Canadian Navy and Asian-Pacific countries’ navies.

“WESTPLOY is an opportunity to increase interoperability and engagement with our partners in the Asia-Pacific as we operate alongside like-minded nations to promote peace and security in the region. This deployment is also an opportunity to showcase the enhanced capabilities of our newly modernized Halifax-class frigates,” explained Commanding Officer of HMCS Vancouver, Commander Clive Butler

The Halifax-Class warships underwent major upgrades to modernise its electronic warfare system, machinery control, radars capability and communication technologies as well as missiles. The fleet was also dotted with a new Combat Management System.

HMCS Vancouver has been at sea since June where it participated in the world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC, until early August, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California, shortly followed by the biennial exercise known as KAKADU, held mid-September, in Australia, involving 20 nations.

“It has been a busy year for the crew, completing a highly successful deployment to Central and South America earlier in the year and participating in two multinational exercises. I’m so proud of the dedication and professionalism they have demonstrated throughout all of our operations,” added Commander Butler.

The Royal Canadian Navy participates in the exercises and deployment to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with countries in the Asia-Pacific region and help ensure the safety of sea lanes and security of the world’s oceans.