[Llarry]

The Royal Canadian Navy, like the Royal Netherlands Navy, is split between two missions due to geographic factors. The Canadian Fleet Atlantic is an important part of NATO's maritime component, while the Canadian Fleet Pacific is geographically distant but an important counterweight to Russian and Chinese maritime power in the Pacific. The RCN has an excellent relationship with the U.S. Navy and cooperates closely with the USN on a wide range of maritime tasks. Recently in the news was the transit of the Taiwan Strait (over Chinese objections) by a U.S. destroyer and RCN frigate, for instance.

The RCN has a smallish submarine force that is concentrated in the Pacific; three boats are Pacific-based while only one is in the Atlantic. The boats are designated SSK, indicating an emphasis on antisubmarine warfare.

The RCN's Halifax class (or City class) frigates, on the other hand, are more numerous in the Atlantic; Of 12 FFHs, seven are Atlantic- and five are Pacific-based. These ships have undergone a mid-life upgrade; as denoted in the H in their designation, they have good helicopter facilities. The design for a replacement class is well underway with construction scheduled to start soon.

Speaking of helicopter facilities, the RCN invented the Beartrap system for the safe operation of helicopters from surface combatants in rough weather in the 1960s. This innovative system uses a link between helo and ship; once the two are linked the helo maintains power but is winched down to the deck by a cable and then secured to a device ("trap") that can then winch the aircraft into a hangar while maintaining the solid connection. The U.S. Navy adopted this excellent system many years ago.

Given the Arctic regions of Canada's coast, another interesting RCN ship is the new Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship. The first of class -- HMCS Harry DeWolf, is in service with a second ship under construction and further units planned. These have some icebreaking capability, though as OPSs they are not heavily armed.

The RCN has taken a different approach to underway replenishment by leasing a commercial vessel to perform this important task. The MV Asterix was converted to an unrep ship (a de facto AOR) and is under lease, with some RCN personnel embarked as well. Asterix operates in the Pacific.

Maritime aircraft are all operated by the RCAF. This includes both CP-140 Aurora patrol aircraft as well as CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopters flown from the decks of the Halifax class FFHs and the MV Asterix. The CH-148s are relatively new, having replaced Sea Kings, and the aging CP-140 is scheduled to be replaced by the Boeing P-8 Poseidon -- no doubt with a distinct Canadian designation.