Much is being said and written about the recent announcement of the new 'Arctic Patrol Vessels'. (See for example the DND Backgrounder, articles in the Globe and Star, commentary by James Travers, and editorials in the Star and Victoria Times Colonist) I maintain that the name given to these new […]
Monthly archives: March 2007
The plan to construct six ice strengthened naval Arctic patrol vessels seems to have arisen out of the blue and a lot of questions remain unanswered. The Ministers of National Defence and Fisheries and Oceans are not members of the Priorities and Planning committee that made the proposal. Were they […]
It appears that the Government wants our navy to acquire and operate Arctic Patrol Vessels (APV). What should the Canadian navy be doing pending the delivery of these ships? Well, it should NOT be sitting on its collective duff and waiting for the ships to arrive - that could take […]
Now that Ottawa is poised to announce a new purchase of Arctic Patrol Vessels (APVs), the question is: what does this portend for the future of the Navy? A batch purchase of 6-8 APVs will likely cost about $3 billion over the life of these vessels - a figure that […]
The recent announcement that the federal cabinet's Priorities and Planning Committee has approved funds for six Arctic Patrol Vessels that will be capable of operations in First Year Ice is consistent with a series of recommendations made in a 2005 report by defence scientist Dr. Kyle Christensen. The 100-page report […]
I like just about every aspect of the Arctic Patrol Vessel that appears to have just made it through Cabinet: It uses the successful Norwegian SVALBARD design suggesting that we can get this vessel in a timely manner if we can restrain ourselves from Canadianizing it. All we need are […]
Sirs: I have read your articles here with interest, and if you would let me, maybe I can maybe clarify some points as to how the Norwegian Coastguard operates. I will just reflect a little over the operations of large ships. Discussing the whole of the concept of the Norwegian […]
According to the Ottawa Citizen, Cabinet recently approved the purchase of 6 Arctic Patrol Vessels, at a total estimated cost of $1.8 Billion. As Dr. Rob Huebert is quoted in this article, this purchase will be worthwhile when the Coast Guard has its icebreaking capability restored. So far, no word […]
Sirs: The modern day Canadian Navy has no experience in Canadian Artic waters and has not operated an icebreaker in almost a half century. Furthermore if you think a gun boat will solve your problems you are mistaken. You should analyse the reasons other countries have naval vessel vessels on […]
(The conclusions, deductions and opinions expressed are those of the originator and are not to be construed as official policy of the Canadian Forces.) The government believes that more emphasis on defence of our northern territory is essential, including (as stated in their last election platform's defence policy) the acquisition […]