Gdynia, Poland - 10 June 2015
HMCS Fredericton is a Halifax-class frigate with a crew of 250 personnel of all ranks. It includes a CH-124 Sea King helicopter and air detachment.
Halifax-class frigates like HMCS Fredericton are versatile, multi-purpose warships that continue to provide excellent service to Canada. Frigates can deploy independently, or as part of a larger naval task group anywhere in the world with NATO, with U.S. carrier battle groups, or in concert with other allied vessels.
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 weapon and sensors 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.
Frigates provide a formidable array of defensive and offensive capabilities that can respond effectively to various operational contingencies, at home and abroad, on behalf of the Government of Canada. Canada’s Halifax-class frigates have been deployed extensively to deal with a wide range of domestic and international security challenges, including the threats of terrorism, illegal resource exploitation, pollution and fisheries violations, narcotics trafficking and illegal immigration. They have also enforced Canadian sovereignty, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, supported Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, and defended Canada's broader national interests abroad.
HMCS Fredericton completed its modernization/frigate equipment life extension refit in November 2014 and was the first modernized frigate to deploy. The ship has a new combat management system, new radar capability, a new electronic warfare system, upgraded communications and missiles, and a new integrated platform management system.
There are 12 Halifax-class frigates in the Royal Canadian Navy, seven based at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Halifax in Nova Scotia and five based at CFB Esquimalt in British Columbia. HMCS Fredericton is based out of CFB Halifax.
As the Royal Canadian Navy undergoes its most extensive peacetime modernization in history, the 12 Canadian-built multi-role patrol frigates will continue to form the backbone of the fleet. HMCS Halifax, Fredericton, Calgary, Winnipeg, and Montréal were the first five frigates to complete the modernization/frigate equipment life extension refit.
The Government has demonstrated Canada’s resolve and commitment to NATO assurance measures by committing first HMCS Regina, then HMCS Toronto, and currently HMCS Fredericton, to NATO Standing Maritime Forces as part of NATO assurance measures.
Operation REASSURANCE refers to the military activities under taken by the CAF to support NATO assurance measures through the provision of military capabilities for training, exercises, demonstrations and assigned NATO tasks. The Canadian reassurance mission currently also involves a Canadian army company group operating out of Poland and deployed for exercises with Canada’s European allies.
On January 6, 2015, HMCS Fredericton replaced HMCS Toronto in the Mediterranean Sea, continuing Canada’s support of NATO-led maritime reassurance activities in the region as part of the Standing NATO Maritime Forces. Once assigned to Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG 2), HMCS Fredericton patrolled the Mediterranean Sea to help detect, deter, and protect against terrorist activity.
HMCS Fredericton arrived in the Black Sea on March 4, 2015, to participate in joint NATO training exercises and maritime situational awareness operations with warships from several allied and partner nations as part of Operation REASSURANCE. HMCS Fredericton conducted port visits in the region, enhancing diplomatic and defence relations with strategic partners and demonstrating that Canada is actively involved in setting the conditions for international security and stability.
Following operations with Allies and partners in the Black Sea, HMCS Fredericton resumed its participation in NATO maritime operations. These operations augment the safety and security of the maritime domain as well as provide opportunities for Canada to enhance cooperation with non-NATO countries and civilian agencies.
