Frigates

The political spin doctors are at work again, trying to find something positive to say about the Royal Canadian Navy.  Thus the press releases went out playing up the fact that four RCN frigates (two on each coast) have concluded their mid-life refits, and the first will "hit the seas" [where did this expression come from?] in 2015 when HMCS Fredericton will be deployed. HMCS Halifax on this coast should not be far behind.
The story, if there is one, is that the FELEX program is on schedule. Other than that there is really no news here. As ships emerge from Halifax Shipyard and Seaspan, they are handed over to HMC Dockyard where naval and defence contractors' crews complete the remainder of the work within navy territory, and then start work ups.

HMCS Montreal has been busily doing just that over the last several weeks, as it was today.
The FrigatE Life EXtensions will mean  that the ships will remain in service until the 2030s - at least - when their replacements [maybe] are ready.

HMCS Montreal was laid dopwn by Saint John Dry Dock and Shipbuilding February 9, 1991, floated up on February 26, 1992, handed over to the RCN July 27, 1993 and commissioned June 21, 1994.

 HMC Montreal fully operational in 1996.

I do give credit however to those reporters that saw fit not to just regurgitate the press releases, but also to include in their articles the unfortunate fact that we will still  be short two destroyers and two supply ships for up to ten years or more, and therefore no matter how up to date the frigates are, we will only have a half a navy.

This situation must be terrible for internal RCN morale. It is certainly an embarrassment on the world stage.

Perhaps the idea of NATO taking over Russia's Mistrals and loaning one to Canada will take hold ... again.........http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30190069

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HMCS Halifax - post FELEX

After some days of sea trials last week, HMCS Halifax put to sea again today following her FELEX (Frigate Life Extension) project.

She made a splendid sight with her forecastle party gathered on the forepeak.

HMCS Halifax - post FELEX

1. After turning in Bedford Basin, HMCS Halifax glides into the Narrows, headed for sea.

The first of the Halifax class patrol frigates has emerged from the shipyard portion of its major life extension process. After several months in HMC Dockyard with additional work HMCS Halifax is now conducting sea trials.
It returned to port last evening for a few hours then late this morning returned to port again. After passing up the harbour it did a turn in Bedford Basin and headed out to sea again. The ship was proceeding very slowly to minimize wake in the area of pier 9C construction. It was also virtually silent.
Built between 1987 and 1988, it was commissioned June 29, 1992, and is expected to remain in service for up twenty more years when new ships are expected.
This major refit, called the FELEX (Frigate Equipment Life EXtension) or HCMP (Halifax Class Modernisation Program) involves upgrading command and control, radar/tracking, electronic warfare, communications, and weapons systems. There is further work to do as part of the program, which will include modifications for new helicopters. These will be stand alone projects.

2. Transiting the Narrows inbound, the ship approaches the MacKay bridge.