Canada will send two warships and a long-range patrol aircraft to Hawaii for next month’s “Rim of the Pacific” (RIMPAC) military exercises, the world’s largest multinational naval exercise, which is expected to bring together more than 25,000 military personnel from 31 countries.
This text is a translation of an article from CTV News.
The Royal Canadian Navy plans to take advantage of the opportunity to showcase some of its most recent capabilities.
HMCS Regina, one of two Canadian frigates destined for RIMPAC, will conduct a live firing of the Evolved Sea Sparrow Block II missile, the Navy’s modern air defense weapon.
This improved version of the missile “represents a significant advance over its predecessor,” explains Lieutenant Commander Linda Coleman, spokesperson for Canadian Maritime Forces Pacific.
“Unlike the previous version, which relied heavily on the ship’s radar for guidance, the new system can guide itself to its target using its own onboard radar, which improves accuracy and response time to aerial threats,” he said. writes Ms. Coleman in a written statement sent by email.
The first delivery of the new defensive missiles arrived in Canada in 2023, but the weapons were not expected to be fully operational aboard the Halifax-class frigates until last December, according to the Department of National Defense.
The missiles, built by US defense manufacturer Raytheon, are still being fielded as part of an ongoing modernization of the fleet.
Furthermore, the second frigate to participate in the exercise, the HMCS Ottawa, will highlight an improved submarine detection system which is being implemented across the entire Halifax class. The system includes a suite of next-generation sensors designed to detect and deter modern submarines and torpedoes.
According to Coleman, RIMPAC will be the first real-world test of the upgraded submarine warfare suite.
The system includes active intercept sensors and an array of towed low-frequency sonars that National Defense says will improve target detectability in open seas and coastal areas.
Low-frequency sonar capability, Coleman said, is the most notable upgrade included in the package, “enabling the ship to detect submarines at greater ranges and with increased efficiency.”
The upgrade of the entire fleet is expected to be completed by 2034.
“RIMPAC provides a valuable training environment for these systems,” Coleman said, noting that the Navy will also send the Asterix replenishment ship and a team of mine clearance divers to the exercise.
“Throughout the exercise, Canadian sailors will participate in coordinated anti-submarine warfare exercises, working alongside allied ships and aircraft to locate and track submarines,” she added.
“This hands-on experience ensures that crews are fully prepared to use these cutting-edge technologies in real-world scenarios.â€
—  Lieutenant Commander Linda Coleman, Maritime Forces Pacific spokesperson
800 personnel deployed
Unlike the Navy, the Royal Canadian Air Force will not test any new capabilities during RIMPAC, according to Major Anne Côté, spokesperson for the Canadian Joint Operations Command.
The Air Force will send a CP-140 Aurora patrol aircraft and two CH-148 Cyclone helicopters to participate in the maneuvers, which will take place from June 24 to July 31 in and around the Hawaiian Islands.
Other members of the Canadian Armed Forces, including a fleet cyber protection group and emergency medical response teams, are also assigned to the exercise in land and maritime roles.
“These combined assets are expected to represent more than 800 Canadian Armed Forces members deployed, underscoring Canada’s continued commitment to promoting security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” Ms. Côté said in a statement. email.
This year marks the 30e Edition of the RIMPAC biennial exercise, in which Canada participated each time as a founding member alongside the United States and Australia.
Following a final planning conference last month in California, the US Navy announced that 31 countries would participate in RIMPAC 2026, which will coincide with the 250e This country’s birthday is July 4.
The U.S. Pacific Fleet, which has organized RIMPAC since its inception in 1971, says this year’s exercise will feature about 40 warships, five submarines and 140 aircraft.
She specified that these maneuvers will strengthen collective security through a series of exercises covering anti-submarine warfare, air defense, missile control, mine clearance, amphibious assaults, disaster response and training. when shooting.
