Canada is a Pacific country, and the Indo-Pacific Region is of crucial importance to our future. Today, 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. 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 our presence, particularly in the Indian Ocean.

“Canada is a Pacific country, and the security and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region are of paramount importance to our future. By boosting our annual naval deployments from two to three frigates, Canada is reaffirming its commitment to allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific. As outlined in Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, Canada will continue to promote a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. I wish our sailors fair winds and following seas.”

- The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence

“The sailors and aviators of the Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force are tremendous ambassadors to promote and enhance interoperability alongside the navies of our closest allies and international partners in the Middle Eastern waters and Indo-Pacific region. Their excellence at sea will demonstrate our capabilities in the region and will directly contribute to the strategic interests of Canada.”

- Rear-Admiral Brian Santarpia, Commander Maritime Component Command

• 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.

• During Operation PROJECTION, HMCS Montréal and MV Asterix will participate in international naval exercises with partner nations throughout the Indo-Pacific. By  conducting Canada’s naval forward presence mission, promoting regional peace and stability, these ships will be contirubuting toward the promotion of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

• Op NEON is Canada’s contribution to the monitoring of United Nations Security Council sanctions designed to pressure North Korea to abandon its weapons of mass destruction programs.

• The Naval Replenishment Unit operates from MV Asterix, which is a short-term commercial solution contracted for five years to provide essential at-sea replenishment support, and serving as a viable bridge until the arrival of the RCN’s two new Protecteur-class Joint Support Ships. 

Associated links

• Royal Canadian Navy
• Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
• Operation PROJECTION
• Operation NEON
• Naval Replenishment Unit Asterix
• Canadian Armed Forces Operations Twitter

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca