What the Admiral said

Good news for the Canadian Navy

On July 9 during an event held in Esquimalt, B.C., Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the planned acquisition of six to eight Arctic/offshore patrol vessels. Vice-Admiral Drew Robertson, Chief of the Maritime Staff, also spoke during the event. His comments were as follows:

VAdm Drew Robertson:  Prime Minister, ministers, distinguished guests, members of Maritime Forces Pacific, ladies and gentlemen, today’s announcement is indeed good news for the Canadian Forces and the navy. 

Le rôle premier de notre marine est de défendre notre pays en face de respecter notre souveraineté dans nos trois océans.  Notre capacité à nous acquitter de ce rôle dépend de notre capacité à comprendre ce qui se passe dans nos zones océaniques et d’exercer notre présence où et quand il faut.

À l’heure actuelle la marine canadienne est en mesure de surveiller efficacement les zones côtières de l’Atlantique et du Pacifique mais on n’a pas la capacité de patrouiller régulièrement et efficacement dans l’Océan Arctique.

That will all change with the procurement of these new Arctic offshore patrol ships which, coupled with the development of an Arctic port, will allow sustained naval operations in the North.  These ships will significantly enhance the navy’s ability to provide armed support to other government departments for enforcing sovereignty and security in all three of Canada’s ocean approaches.  We will be able to patrol our Arctic waters through the full extent of the navigable season and they’ll also be able to operate year round in our northern Pacific and Atlantic Ocean approaches - waters known by mariners worldwide as amongst the most inhospitable anywhere. 

Based on past successes, we’re confident that Canadian industry will deliver world class ships to meet our domestic maritime security requirements and I’m confident that our naval reserves will meet the challenge of contributing to the crewing of these new ships with the same success they enjoy now in crewing the Kingston class coastal defence vessels. 

Along with the joint support ship announced just last year and the modernization program of our Halifax class frigates announced just last week, the Arctic offshore patrol ship project will contribute to building a fleet that can both control our own maritime backyard and also influence events in far distant waters long before potential threats arrive off our shores, all of which makes today’s announcement one an important one for our future maritime security.  Thank you.  Merci.  (Applause.)

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