HMCS Vancouver completes rearmament in Australia
News release
September 26, 2024 – Broome, Australia – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Vancouver completed a forward rearmament in Australia on September 23, 2024, more than halfway through its six-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region on Operation HORIZON.
This forward rearmament with Australia was a first for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). The rearmament coordination and execution were nine months in the making, with planning having commenced in January 2024, and were made possible in part thanks to the close coordination and cooperation of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
Having the capability to rearm far from a Canadian homeport is a significant achievement. Accomplishing it with the support of our allies and partners demonstrates the strength of Canada’s relationships in the Indo-Pacific region. This rearmament process allows the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to strengthen its interoperability and interchangeability through the sharing of information, techniques, and lessons learned that will allow for more agility moving forward.
Since HMCS Vancouver’s deployment in June 2024, the ship has participated in three different multinational maritime exercises and expended munitions, including two vertically launched missiles at Exercise RIM OF THE PACIFIC (RIMPAC) 2024.
Ammunition for the rearmament was transported from Canada to Darwin, Australia, via a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CC-177 Globemaster, where it was stored until the ship’s arrival. It was then transported to Broome, Australia, by the Australian Air Force and civilian contractors, and loaded onto the ship. During the rearmament itself, Canadian Forces Ammunition Depot staff members were on the ground, with members from the Australian Defence Industry (ADI) and the Royal Australian Navy to support.
The logistics of facilitating a technical rearmament process occurring far from a Canadian Naval Base are complex and support from elements of the ADF and ADI were instrumental in the success of this mission.
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Quotes
“The ability to conduct a forward rearmament this far from home increases our operational range in the region, enabling us to be better able to respond when called upon to protect and defend Canada and our allies. Making this forward rearmament in a new location a reality was the result of a great deal of hard work and coordination with our allies and partners, and I am very proud of what our deployed personnel and those here in Canada have achieved. This capability increases our range while on operations in the Indo-Pacific region and maintains our force’s flexibility.”
Lieutenant-General Steve Boivin, Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command
“The crew of HMCS Vancouver demonstrated our ability to effectively rearm far from home and stay combat effective for longer deployments throughout the world. The work that the sailors, aviators, and soldiers serving aboard HMCS Vancouver completed will be used as an example of how much we can achieve as a navy working with our allies around the world.”
Commander Tyson Bergmann, HMCS Vancouver Commanding Officer
Quick facts
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HMCS Vancouver is a Halifax-class frigate with a crew of approximately 240 personnel comprised of RCN sailors and RCAF aviators who fly and support the ship’s embarked CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopter.
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Through the Joint Statement on Strengthening the Canada-Australia Defence Relationship, Australia and Canada committed to enhancing the interoperability of our armed forces and exploring ways to reduce barriers to collaboration, including through arrangements to facilitate value-added defence and industrial activities and to support operational cooperation.
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Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy represents a comprehensive and integrated framework for increased Canadian engagement across the Indo-Pacific region. Canada will continue to work alongside allies and partners in the region to promote a stable, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
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Operation HORIZON is Canada’s ongoing forward presence mission to promote peace and stability in support of the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region. It replaced the Indo-Pacific portion of Operation PROJECTION in summer 2023, in line with Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. All naval activities formerly conducted under Operation PROJECTION Indo-Pacific, along with new activities conducted by the Canadian Army, RCAF, Special Forces Command, and other CAF elements, are now conducted under Operation HORIZON.
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Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
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