By David Dunlop, 10 August 2022
It has finally happened! Canada's RCN will not be able to fulfill its commitments to either one of NATO's Task Forces that Canada has faithfully contributed to for many years. The reasons are quite obvious after HMCS Montreal and HMCS Halifax returned from those duties last month. Because of the state of Canada's Halifax-class frigates, and the depletion of Canada's naval personnel, our Navy is in such a state of disrepair that Canada may not be part of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 or 2 (SNMG 1/2) fleets for years to come. This is a very sad day for the RCN and this state was completely avoidable. Canada's Halifax-class frigates are getting tired and need to be retired soon. Most of the fleet is either in deep maintenance or rusted to the point where they are becoming unsafe for sailors to sail on. In my opinion we need to shelve the entire Halifax-class fleet and quickly procure or rent other naval ships to at least fully fulfill our NATO commitments in the near term. In the long term, we need to quickly get the NSS on track and get the CSC Frigates out there to replace the Halifax class. All forum members should respond to this travesty for the RCN and let the government know and make it care what happens to our "so-called" Navy! We have been the laughing stock of NATO for far too long!" Please read below:
8 thoughts on “RCN Major Warships Unable to Fill their NATO Duties?”
You do realize from your own links that this happened in 2014 as well. Given the size of our Navy we did well to support NATO as we did and continue to do as we currently have two Kingston Class with a NATO MCM group and that will continue. Our fleet is certainly in deep maintenance and not putting sailor’s at risk as you contend, that’s a pretty bold thing to say and actually irresponsible and please back that up. By standing down our ships for a predetermined period of time we can get our ships better maintained, get personel on courses, training etc and more importantly give them a break. We are still deploying ships abroad and in Canadian waters and will continue to do so. As a person who have worked with the different NATO groups we are still well respected in the NATO world and far from a laughing stock as you contend and I’m not even sure where your getting this from, a “friend” I suppose. Have a great day
Yes I realize that it happened in 2014 as well Ted. I know that the Kingston class is very busy but I was only discussing our “major” warships — the Halifax class — NATO duties. If our ships are ‘better maintained’ by not being part of NATO as you contend, that means we are not doing a very good job of maintaining the frigates or they are just not up to the tasks required of them. Ship’s personnel will always be going on training courses (career or otherwise) and ships will either have to steal from other ships or sail short (which never happens, right?). I have also worked with some very knowledgeable NATO personnel but lately some have questioned Canada’s resolve within NATO. My opinions are mine and mine alone. Have A Great Navy Day!
It’s clear that you been out of the RCN for years from some of the opinions you make about things you don’t have the full picture about. We don’t have to have a major warship in NATO continuously so turn down the outrage a bit. Perhaps it comes down to someone finally getting it that we are doing too much and the platforms and more importantly personnel need a break and it’s as simple as that.
I do have a daughter and son in law in the navy. They advise we are short 1000 sailors and the platforms are showing their age. With
respect I believe both of you are correct. The government is expecting too much out of the available resources and an operational pause
will be necessary in my opinion to reconstitute the forces and to avoid burn out. The issue really is why it has come to this and what can be
done to correct it. In my view leadership will be needed at both the political and military levels which to a large extent is lacking in Canada
due to the lack of threat perception by most of the public. In other words defence is not a vote generating issue.
Mark Shields
Hi Mark we undoubtedly have issues like you mentioned however the fact we are taking a break from continuously sending major warships to NATO is not the end of the world like some would contend. This was known about for some time and is more about crew burnout than platform availability. The powers to be are finally taking note of the personnel factor and are making decisions based on retaining the sailors that we have and not breaking the ones that want to go to sea. The days of burning the candle on both ends are hopefully going away. Eventually we will be back to getting ships to these groups sooner than you think.
“We are doing too much”? In my opinion “We” are not doing nearly enough as a founding member of NATO and the alliance membership has concluded that about Canada years ago. There is no reason why our commitments to the Standing Naval Forces cannot continue with the Halifax class Frigates on a continuous basis. “the platforms and more importantly personnel need a break”? Give me a break! “We don’t have to have a major warship in NATO continuously”? My answer to that is … Sailors and ships need to go to sea, and land is just a navigational hazard! So let’s get on with the tasks at hand. Have A Great Navy Day!
I found an interesting article in CNR vol. 13.3. Just to support the discussion:
Canada is Back – Via the Navy? – Dr. Ann Griffiths
Volume 13, Number 3, Fall 2017
https://www.navalreview.ca/wp-content/uploads/CNR_pdf_full/cnr_vol13_3.pdf
Hello,
“The issue really is why it has come to this and what can be done to correct it.”
The following are a civilian’s observation and naive thoughts, with no disrespect or ill will intended.
Lately, a visit to any store, business, government office, Loblaws, and even the blessed Tims, leaves one with notices of staffing shortages. The tourism and restaurant sectors ask the federal government to fast-track immigration to fill in the gaps. There are staffing shortages across the board from burnout and complete decoupling between reward and cost of living. In the face of that, all our leadership can do is entice people with lower standards of living to come do the work and forget about the locals.
This simply shows that the value proposition of participation in Canadian economy and society is no longer good enough for Canadians. If just participating in civilian Canadian life is not worth the effort, why participate in its defense?
The system is broken in that Canadians cannot afford to live decently anymore. Adjusting an interest rate here or sprinkling a couple million $ there won’t fix it. Offering physically, mentally, and morally inadequate young people some small perks and fresh marketing to join the Navy won’t solve shortages or resolve long-standing operating, maintenance and repair deficiencies.
So from my naive civilian perspective, the RCN cannot sustain platforms and personnel on constant world police duties because Canada cannot sustain them. Overall, the value proposition isn’t there, nor is the physical ability.
The Armed Forces are an extension and reflection of the civilian core. We badly need to address and correct neglect of the core; the redress of the Armed Forces will naturally follow.