The Royal Canadian Navy’s HMCS Toronto has successfully returned to its home port of Halifax, Nova Scotia, after completing its seven-month deployment for Nato’s Operation Reassurance.

The deployment formed part of Canada’s response to the crisis in eastern Ukraine.

HMCS Fredericton has been sent to replace HMCS Toronto and join Nato maritime forces in Lisbon, Portugal.

"HMCS Toronto’s achievements during Operation Reassurance demonstrate Canada’s steadfast commitment to international peace and security."

As part of the Nato operation, which aims to promote security and stability in Central and Eastern Europe, the Canadian Armed Forces are providing military capabilities for training, exercises, shows and assigned Nato missions.

Canada Minister of National Defence Rob Nicholson said: "HMCS Toronto’s achievements during Operation Reassurance demonstrate Canada’s steadfast commitment to international peace and security, and highlight our ability to provide maritime support around the world, wherever instability arises.

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"Canada will continue to work resolutely alongside our partners to apply pressure on [Russia] President [Vladimir] Putin’s regime in response to their aggressive military intervention in Ukraine."

During its deployment, HMCS Toronto and its helicopter air detachment were part of Standing Nato Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) and patrolled the Mediterranean and Black Seas.

The vessel executed joint operations with Nato allies and travelled more 30,809nm in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean and Black Seas, with its helicopter detachment flying 181 sorties, registering more than 445 flying hours.