According to a PR published by the Canadian DoD on March 27, 2023, His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Montréal, a Halifax-class frigate, departed its homeport of Halifax and is now en route to the Indo-Pacific region – delivering on the commitment in Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy to annually deploy an additional frigate to the region from Canadian Forces Base Halifax.
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Royal Canadian Navy's Halifax class frigate HMCS Montreal. (Picture source: Canadian DoD)
As Minister Anand announced in November 2022, Canada is increasing its annual naval deployments in the region from two to three frigates, and the deployment of this additional frigate from the East Coast will boost the Canadian presence, particularly in the Indian Ocean.
During its deployment, HMCS Montréal will be supported by Naval Replenishment Unit Motor Vessel (MV) Asterix, also based in Halifax. Two other Canadian frigates are set to deploy to the region on later dates.
HMCS Montréal, with an embarked CH-148 Cyclone helicopter detachment, is the first East Coast frigate to deploy on Operation PROJECTION in the Indo-Pacific region.
During the deployment, the ship will work in close coordination with partner and allied nations maritime forces, promoting peace and stability in support of the rules-based international order.
In addition to Operation PROJECTION, HMCS Montréal will also participate in Operation NEON, Canada’s contribution to multinational efforts to monitor sanctions imposed on North Korea by the United Nations Security Council.
About HMCS Montreal
HMCS Montréal is a Halifax-class frigate. Halifax-class frigates carry extensive anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare weapons and sensors to complement their substantial anti-air warfare defences.
The combination of these weapons and sensor systems, coupled with state-of-the-art damage control and machinery control systems, make frigates one of the most advanced warship designs in the world.
The frigate has a displacement of 4,770 tonnes, measuring 134.1 meters in length and 16.4 meters in beam. She is powered by a CODOG system, which includes two General Electric LM2500 gas turbines and one SEMT Pielstick diesel engine.
The ship has a top speed of 30 knots and a range of 9,500 nautical miles. Its complement consists of 225 personnel. The ship is equipped with a variety of sensors and processing systems, including a Saab Sea Giraffe HC 150 air/surface search radar, a Thales SMART-S Mk 2 3D surveillance radar, and an AN/SQS-510 hull-mounted sonar.
