By Les Mader, 18 December 2025
Repeat visitors to the Broadsides Forum will be well aware of the fact that Canada’s new Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) have generated a great deal of discussion over the past 17 years, much of which has been very hostile. Unfortunately, due to the AOPS’ relatively recent entry into service and their non-traditional role, the debate about their capabilities, cost and value has not benefited from solid information about them.
Therefore, it was a delight to discover this 39-minute YouTuber’s video about a 10-day voyage on HMCS William Hall. I found that it gave me a much better understanding of what the AOPS are and the capabilities that are found in them. These range from the obvious ones, such as the 25mm cannon and the inability to employ CH-148 Cyclone helicopters during lengthy deployments, but also many important, smaller details – like the magnetic holding-open devices that allow the ship’s watertight doors to be shut at the flick of a switch. This wealth of information helped me understand what the AOPS can do and why they are more expensive – ton for ton – than many other vessels; you get what you pay for.
It is hoped that this video will be a useful addition to the Forum’s collective understanding of the AOPS.
Why Canada Built a Billion $ Warship That Can’t Fight
Image: HMCS Harry Dewolf at Cunningham Glacier in Crocker Bay, 2021. Credit: Cpl Simon Arcand
