Royal Canadian Navy accepts the sixth Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel

File Photo: HMCS Fredericton

On Thursday, the Royal Canadian Navy accepted the sixth and final Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel, HMCS Robert Hampton Gray.

This delivery marks the completion of a fleet of vessels that have already had a long deployment history since the commissioning of the first ship in 2021. The ships have demonstrated numerous operational capabilities, with multiple deployments on Operations CARIBBE, HORIZON and NANOOK.

The ships have also circumnavigated North America, deployed to Antarctica, and provided support to Canadians under Operation LENTUS.

These ice-capable patrol ships are designed to enhance the Canadian Armed Forces’ presence in the Arctic and to assert and uphold Canadian sovereignty. These ships can operate anywhere in the world.

The HMCS Robert Hampton Gray and its crew will undergo sea trials, warm and cold weather trials and post-delivery evaluations. The ship’s commissioning ceremony is expected to take place in 2026, after it arrives in its home port of Esquimalt, British Columbia.