The Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) sixth and final Harry DeWolf-class Arctic and offshore patrol ship (AOPS) was officially christened as Robert Hampton Gray during a ceremony at Irving Shipbuilding.
The ship honours lieutenant Robert Hampton Gray, a Second World War hero.
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He received the Victoria Cross posthumously, for executing air raids on the Japanese destroyer HIJMS Amakusa, making him the sole RCN recipient of this honour throughout the Second World War.
On 18 August 2022, a steel cutting ceremony marked the start of construction for the sixth AOPS. The name of the vessel was announced in August 2020
In December 2024, the future HMCS Robert Hampton Gray was launched.
Royal Canadian Navy commander vice-admiral Angus Topshee said: “The naming of our sixth and final Arctic offshore patrol vessel is a proud milestone for the Royal Canadian Navy and our country. Honouring lieutenant Robert Hampton Gray—whose bravery, boldness, and resolve inspired generations of Canadians—reflects the perseverance and determination that has enabled the success of the National Shipbuilding Strategy.”
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By GlobalDataIn January 2015, the Canadian Government awarded Irving Shipbuilding a contract worth C$2.6bn, inclusive of taxes, to construct Harry DeWolf-class patrol ships.
This contract signified the commencement of the construction phase under the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
The initial vessel in this class is named HMCS Harry DeWolf, which saw its construction begin in September 2015 and was delivered on 31 July 2020.
The AOPS fleet is equipped to carry out an array of missions including enhancing maritime presence and surveillance in all Canadian waters, supporting sovereignty operations by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), and executing search and rescue (SAR) operations among others.
The Harry DeWolf-class vessels are designed for extended operational periods of up to four months with resupply capabilities from either shore bases or at sea.
Additionally, Irving Shipbuilding’s Halifax Shipyard continues its work on other naval projects, with two AOPS variants for the Canadian Coast Guard already in production and commencement on the first of 15 River-class destroyers for the Royal Canadian Navy.
In March 2025, Irving Shipbuilding secured a contract for constructing River-class destroyers for the RCN.
