The Royal Canadian Navy places a heavy emphasis on its Offshore Patrol Vessel force with its muscle coming from the modestly-sized frigate and submarine forces. Over half of the surface force is made up of OPVs which are set to be further strengthened by the arrival of additional DeWolf boats. Like Australia, the RCN lacks a dedicated aircraft carrier fleet and further limitations are had by the lack of a helicopter/amphibious assault support force. The stable of attack submarines are ex-British Royal Navy boats with three of the four having reached - or soon to reach - the two decade mark in Canadian service. Overall fleet age is just over twenty years with a focus on fleet core surface combatants. The group of twelve-strong frigates are, themselves, reaching thirty years and requiring attention. These will be succeeded by the results of the Canadian Surface Combatant project seeking fifteen warships.
The following represents an overview of the modern naval fighting capabilities of the Royal Canadian Navy (2023). The service currently counts 37 total units in its active naval inventory. This total includes frontline commissioned vessels but excludes smaller patrol vessels, auxiliary / survey ships, replenishment, and historical ceremonial types. The WDMMW review takes into account specific categories of warships covering attack, defense, and general support designs. Inventory numbers and related unit types are provided as-is and derived from publically-available information / sources. "On Order" totals found at the bottom of this article are related to any future hulls currently under procurement/construction though said hulls may not be delivered for service in the current year for various reasons.
Updated: 9/16/2023 | © www.WDMMW.org
Submarines (4)
Hulls developed for undersea/submersible operation; nuclear-powered or conventionally-powered.
NOTES: Victoria-class boats are second-hand British Royal Navy boats belonging to the original Upholder-class; the submarine force will be refitted under the SELEX program to keep the boats viable into the early part of the 2030s.
Frigates (12)
Hulls defined as dimensionally smaller than Destroyers, though larger than corvettes, having Blue Water capabilities.
NOTES: The Halifax-class will eventually be superseded by the results of the Canadian Surface Combatant project in which fifteen all-modern warships are being sought/planned for the RCN.
Offshore Patrol Vessels (21)
Hulls defined as OPVs and outfitted for the purpose of close-to-shore defense / deterrence.
On Order (21)
Hulls set to be delivered in the current procurement year or in subsequent year(s).
On Order Commitment: 21 Units
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