Operations

Royal Canadian Navy and NATO Ships Monitor Russian Vessels

Mishall Rehman October 5, 2024

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Canadian naval ships have closely monitored a Russian vessels for the past few weeks. From Aug. 29 to Sept. 18, while sailing with other NATO ships, His Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Shawinigan and Charlottetown monitored a Russian submarine and surface ships.

The ships were sailing close to Western Europe and the Mediterranean Sea. The Russian vessels were monitored to ensure they adhered to the right of innocent passage, which provides standards and expectations for ships while transiting the waters of another country.

HMCS Charlottetown sails parallel to a Russian submarine while conducting monitoring duties in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea in September 2024. Photo by: Aviator Gregory Cole. Image courtesy of the Canadian Armed Forces.

A Great Sense of Pride

“It fills me with a great sense of pride as the Maritime Task Force Commander to see our shipmates in HMCS Shawinigan contribute in such a meaningful way to the safety and security of our NATO allies and partners in Europe. Ships of the Royal Canadian Navy deployed on Operation REASSURANCE are ready for a wide spectrum of operations such as this one which provided invaluable maritime domain awareness, in addition to supporting and protecting Canadian and Allied interests.

“HMCS Shawinigan has rejoined HMCS Glace Bay and the other Alliance ships of Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 and will continue its important work in Europe,” said LCmdr. Paul Morrison, Commanding Officer HMCS Glace Bay and Maritime Task Force Commander, Operation REASSURANCE Maritime Task Force 24-03, in a statement.

Commodore Matthew Coates, Commander of Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2), right front, and Commander Nicholas Buxton, Commanding Officer of HMCS Charlottetown, beside him, talk with an Aircraft Handler, left, while onboard USS Wasp (LHD-1) for a tour as the two ships sail in consort in the Mediterranean Sea on 06 July 2024. Photo by: Aviator Gregory Cole, Canadian Armed Forces Photo.

HMCS Shawinigan Eyes Russian Submarine

HMCS Shawinigan, currently deployed to Europe on Operation REASSURANCE with Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1, began monitoring a Russian submarine and surface vessel on Aug 29, 2024. The ship monitored the Russian vessels’ activities through the Baltic and North Seas.

This responsibility was then handed to His Majesty’s Ship (HMS) Iron Duke of the Royal Navy on September 1st.

“I am immensely proud of the crew’s unwavering dedication and skill. Their ability to successfully apply their training in anti-submarine warfare and monitor surface vessels is a testament to their hard work and professionalism. In the face of complex challenges, their commitment to excellence shines through, showcasing the true spirit of our Navy. Together, we stand vigilant, ready to protect our collective waters and uphold our values,” said Commander Nicholas Buxton, Commanding Officer, HMCS Charlottetown and Maritime Task Force Commander, Operation REASSURANCE Maritime Task Force 24-02.

HMCS Shawinigan is deployed to Europe alongside HMCS Glace Bay. The Canadian Naval ships are responsible for working alongside allies to safely dispose of historical ordinances in the European waters they are sailing through. This task is coupled with Vigilance Activities in the region.

HMCS Shawinigan and Charlottetown monitored a Russian Federation Navy sub that was sailing close to Western Europe and the Mediterranean Sea. The Russian vessels were monitored to ensure they adhered to the right of innocent passage.

HMCS Charlottetown and Russian Federation Navy submarine

HMCS Charlottetown, currently serving as the flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2), assumed monitoring duties on Sept. 17 and kept an eye on the vessels throughout their journey in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

Also during this time, the ship monitored a different Russian Federation Navy submarine and three surface vessels. The vessels were participating in a large-scale Russian exercise called Exercise OCEAN 24.

“I am proud of His Majesty’s Canadian Ships Shawinigan’s crew for their dedication, flexibility and professionalism during the international monitoring effort that was recently conducted in concert with our NATO allies. The ship’s company continues to showcase on a global stage that sailors of the Royal Canadian Navy are some of the best in the world, and we will continue to remain focused on our mission alongside our NATO allies for the remainder of our deployment,” said LCmdr. Andrew Foran, Commanding Officer HMCS Shawinigan.

As part of the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Shawinigan (MM704) faces the waves in the Baltic Sea during Operation REASSURANCE on August 02, 2023. Photo by: Petty Officer Second Class Roxanne Wood, Canadian Armed Forces Photo. Image courtesy of the CAF.

Operation REASSURANCE

HMCS Charlottetown conducted these activities while deployed on Operation REASSURANCE in the Mediterranean. Operation REASSURANCE is Canada’s largest current international military operation, with participation from each component of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Royal Canadian Navy ships have participated in Operation REASSURANCE on a continuous basis since 2014 and the invasion of Crimea by Russia.