The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has officially commissioned HMCS Frederick Rolette, which is the fifth Harry DeWolf-class arctic and offshore patrol vessel (AOPV).
This addition bolsters the Navy’s capacity to assert sovereignty in Canada’s maritime zones and equips it to address anticipated security requirements in the Arctic region.
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Named after Lieutenant Frederick Rolette, a Canadian naval officer from the War of 1812, the ship was christened in May 2024 and delivered to the RCN in August 2024.
HMCS Frederick Rolette can transport cargo, deploy small vehicles, and will soon operate a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter, contributing to international peace and security alongside allies.
Canada National Defence Minister David McGuinty said: “Arctic and offshore patrol vessels are a critical capability for our Navy’s ability to defend Canada’s waters.
“To assert our sovereignty, we will need a strong and sustained presence along our three coasts. The HMCS Frederick Rolette and its crew is integral to that objective – asserting our sovereignty in Arctic and coastal waters.”
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By GlobalDataThe first ship in this class, HMCS Harry DeWolf, was delivered on 30 July 2020, and commissioned on 26 June 2021.
The sixth and final vessel in the AOPV series, the future HMCS Robert Hampton Gray, is currently under construction and is expected to be delivered by August 2025.
The Harry DeWolf-class, named in honour of Canadian wartime naval hero vice-admiral Harry DeWolf, are equipped for surveillance, humanitarian assistance, emergency response, and disaster relief operations.
These vessels have a maximum displacement of 6,660 tonnes, measure 103 metres (m) in length, have a beam of 19m, can achieve a top speed of 17 knots, and have a range of 6,800 nautical miles.
Royal Canadian Navy commander vice-admiral Angus Topshee said: “Welcoming a ship into service with the Royal Canadian Navy is always a significant milestone for our sailors.
“Today, we celebrate the many months of trials and readiness training which the crew of His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Frederick Rolette has steadfastly completed.”
Recently, Canada unveiled a new defence spending plan that includes more than C$9bn ($6.5bn) in military investments for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
