HMCS Fredericton deploys in support of NATO assurance and deterrence measures
News release
January 22, 2023 - Ottawa - Department of National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Fredericton departed from Halifax today to join Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG 2), part of NATO’s high-readiness Standing Naval Forces in the Mediterranean Sea.
With a crew of about 250 members, including a CH-148 Cyclone detachment, HMCS Fredericton will integrate with ships from France, Italy and the United States to maintain a strong NATO presence in the region and serve as high-readiness maritime forces available to the Alliance.
For a period of nearly five months, HMCS Fredericton and aircraft will contribute to the multinational task group’s mandate to enhance the collective readiness, integration, and interoperability of its forces, in order to deter all potential adversaries in the maritime domain.
This deployment is part of Operation REASSURANCE, Canada’s contribution to NATO’s assurance and deterrence measures in Central and Eastern Europe, supporting collective defence and the Alliance’s capability to respond in a timely and effective manner to a variety of operational contingencies in the region.
Quotes
“Canada’s continued participation in regional maritime security operations as part of NATO is yet another demonstration of our ongoing commitment to international security and the NATO Alliance. As the crew of HMCS Fredericton departs today, I thank them for their dedication and commitment to upholding our collective security.”
- The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence
“It is an honour to see the dedicated crew of HMCS Fredericton off on their departure on this important mission, and I commend the crew and their loved ones for the sacrifices that they are making to support this deployment. The participation of HMCS Fredericton in NATO operations strengthens the Alliance, and Canada’s commitment to upholding the rules-based international order.”
- Rear-Admiral Brian Santarpia, Commander of Maritime Forces Atlantic and Joint Task Force Atlantic
Quick facts
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Standing NATO Maritime Groups (SNMGs) are multinational, integrated, maritime forces made up of vessels from various Allied countries which together demonstrate solidarity, conduct routine diplomatic visits, support partner engagement, and provide a variety of maritime military capabilities to ongoing missions.
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SNMG 2 is one of four Standing Naval Forces that operate under NATO Allied Maritime Command, headquartered in Northwood, United Kingdom.
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Canada has deployed Royal Canadian Navy ships on Operation REASSURANCE on a persistent rotational basis since 2014, following Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea.
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In March 2022, following Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine, a second frigate was surged into the region, when HMCS Halifax was re-tasked from Operation ARTEMIS, and joined HMCS Montreal that was on a previously scheduled deployment with SNMG 2.
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In June 2022, HMCS Kingston and Summerside joined Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1. Their deployment marked the first time Canada contributed Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels to one of the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Groups as part of Operation REASSURANCE.
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Approximately 1,000 Canadian Armed Forces members are deployed in support of Operation REASSURANCE, making it Canada’s largest current international military operation. This includes the Canada-led multinational NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group in Latvia and an Air Task Force based out of Prestwick, Scotland.
Associated links
Contacts
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
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