| Royal Canadian Navy | |
|---|---|
| Marine royale canadienne (French) | |
 | |
| Founded | 4 May 1910; 115 years ago (1910-05-04) |
| Country | Canada |
| Type | Navy |
| Role | Naval warfare |
| Size | 68 ships Personnel: • Regular Force: 8,400 Regular force members ("Effective strength" was 6,226 personnel as of late 2023)[1] • Reserve Force: 4,100 Reserve force members • Civilian members: 3,800 civilian members[2] |
| Part of | Canadian Armed Forces |
| Headquarters | National Defence Headquarters,Ottawa, Ontario |
| Motto | Parati vero parati (Latin for 'Ready aye ready') |
| March | "Heart of Oak" |
| Mascot | SONAR (Newfoundland dog) |
| Anniversaries | Niobe Day |
| Engagements | |
| Website | www |
| Commanders | |
| Commander of the RCN | Vice-AdmiralAngus Topshee |
| Command CPO of RCN | CPO1 Pascal Harel |
| Insignia | |
| Naval ensign |  |
| Naval jack | .svg) |
| Bilingual logo |  |
| Pennant |  |
TheRoyal Canadian Navy (RCN; French:Marine royale canadienne,MRC) is thenaval force ofCanada. The navy is one of three environmental commands within theCanadian Armed Forces. As of February 2024, the RCN operates 12Halifax-classfrigates, 4Kingston-classcoastal defence vessels, 4Victoria-classsubmarines, 5Harry DeWolf-classoffshore patrol vessels, 8Orca-class patrol vessels, and several auxiliary vessels. Officially, the RCN consisted of 8,400Regular Force and 4,100Primary Reserve sailors, supported by 3,800 civilians.[a 1]
Founded in 1910 as theNaval Service of Canada (French:Service naval du Canada) and given royal sanction on 29 August 1911, the RCN was amalgamated with theRoyal Canadian Air Force and theCanadian Army to form theunified Canadian Armed Forces in 1968, after which it was known asMaritime Command (French:Commandement maritime) until 2011.
In 2011, its historical title of "Royal Canadian Navy" was restored. The RCN has served in theFirst andSecond World Wars, theKorean War, thePersian Gulf War,Afghanistan, and numerousUnited Nations peacekeeping missions andNATO operations.
Established following the introduction of theNaval Service Act by Prime MinisterSir Wilfrid Laurier, the Naval Service of Canada (NSC) was intended as a distinct naval force for Canada that could, should the need arise, be placed under British control. The bill receivedRoyal Assent on 4 May 1910. Initially equipped with two formerRoyal Navy vessels,HMCSNiobe andHMCSRainbow,King George V granted permission for the service to be known as the Royal Canadian Navy on 29 August 1911.[3]
During the first years of theFirst World War, the RCN's six-vessel naval force patrolled both the North American west and east coasts to deter the German naval threat, with a seventh ship,HMCSShearwater, joining the force in 1915. Just before the end of the war in 1918, theRoyal Canadian Naval Air Service was established with the purpose of carrying out anti-submarine operations; however, it was disbanded after the armistice of 11 November.[4]
After the war, the RCN took over certain responsibilities of theDepartment of Transport's Marine Service and slowly started to build its fleet, with the first warships specifically designed for the RCN being commissioned in 1932.[5] At the outbreak of theSecond World War, the Navy had 11 combat vessels, 145 officers and 1,674 men.[6] During the Second World War, the RCN expanded significantly, ultimately gaining responsibility for the entire Northwest Atlantic theatre of war. During theBattle of the Atlantic, the RCN sank 31U-boats and sank or captured 42 enemy surface vessels, while completing 25,343 merchant crossings. The navy suffered the loss of 33 ships and 1,797 sailors.[7] To gain experience with the operation of aircraft carriers, RCN personnel crewed two Royal Navyescort carriers from 1944 to 1946:HMS Nabob, andHMS Puncher.[8]
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Starting in May 1944, when Canada began drafting plans to assume a larger role in thePacific Theatre after achieving victory in Europe, the Canadian government recognized that the RCN would require much larger vessels.[8] Canadian naval staff advocated for HMSNabob and HMSPuncher to be given back to the Royal Navy in exchange for twolight fleet carriers.[8] The Canadian government agreed to acquire two carriers on loan from the Royal Navy, with an option to purchase them, but they were not ready before the war ended.[8] Postwar budget cuts meant that Canada could only afford to operate one aircraft carrier, instead of two as originally planned.[8] The RCN operatedHMS Warrior from 1946 to 1948, before exchanging it with the Royal Navy for the slightly largerHMCS Magnificent.[8]
From 1950 to 1955, during and after theKorean War, Canadian destroyers maintained a presence off of the Korean peninsula, engaging in shore bombardments and maritime interdiction. During the Cold War, the Navy developed an anti-submarine capability to counter the growingSoviet naval threat.[9][10] In November 1956, HMCSMagnificent was chosen to transport men and supplies to Egypt as part of Canada's response to theSuez Crisis.[11] In preparation for use as a transport, the ship's weapons were stripped, and her complement was reduced to 600 personnel.[12][13] The initial plan was to embark theQueen's Own Rifles of Canada, but that order was rescinded in December.[11]Magnificent waited in Halifax until the end of the month, then sailed for Egypt carrying 406 Canadian troops and their vehicles, fourRoyal Canadian Air Forcede Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otters, and a singleH04S helicopter.[11][14][13] She returned to Canada in March 1957.[13] Later in 1957, the RCN paid off HMCSMagnificent and commissionedHMCS Bonaventure, which was better suited for jet aircraft.[8] She flew theMcDonnell F2H Banshee fighter jet until 1962, as well as various other anti-submarine aircraft until her decommissioning.[4] In the 1960s, the RCN retired most of its Second World War vessels, and further developed its anti-submarine warfare capabilities by acquiring theSikorsky CH-124 Sea King, and successfully pioneered the use of large maritime helicopters on small surface vessels.
From 1964 through 1968, underPrime MinisterLester B. Pearson, the RCN, Royal Canadian Air Force andCanadian Army were amalgamated to form theCanadian Armed Forces. This process was overseen by then–defence ministerPaul Hellyer. The controversial merger resulted in the abolition of the RCN as a separate legal entity. All personnel, ships, and aircraft became part of Maritime Command (MARCOM), an element of the Canadian Armed Forces. The traditional naval uniform was eliminated and all naval personnel were required to wear the new Canadian Armed Forces rifle green uniform, adopted also by former Royal Canadian Air Force and Canadian Army personnel.[15] Ship-borne aircraft continued to be under the command of MARCOM, while shore-based patrol aircraft of the former Royal Canadian Air Force were transferred to MARCOM. In 1975 Air Command was formed and all maritime aircraft were transferred to Air Command's Maritime Air Group.[16] Theunification of the Canadian Forces in 1968 was the first time that a nation with a modern military combined its formerly separate naval, land and air elements into a single service.[15]
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HMCSBonaventure was sold off in 1970, shortly after completing a 16-month, $11 million mid-life refit.[8] The 1970s saw the addition of fourIroquois-classdestroyers, which were later updated toair defence destroyers, and in the late 1980s and 1990s the construction of twelveHalifax-classfrigates and the purchase of theVictoria-classsubmarines. In 1990, Canada deployed threewarships to supportOperation Friction. Later in the decade, ships were deployed to patrol theAdriatic Sea during theYugoslav Wars and theKosovo War. More recently, Maritime Command provided vessels to serve as a part ofOperation Apollo and to combatpiracy off the coast of Somalia.[17]
Following theOfficial Languages Act enshrinement in 1969, MARCOM instituted the French Language Unit, which constituted a francophone unit with the navy. The first wasHMCS Ottawa. In the 1980s and 1990s, women were also accepted into the fleet, with the submarine service the last to allow them, beginning in 2001.[18]
Some of the changes that had taken place during the unification of the forces began to be undone. In 1985, MARCOM received new black uniforms, differentiating them from the land-based forces.[16] By 1990, the three senior naval officers of MARCOM had recreated the Naval Board.[18] On 16 August 2011, thegovernment restored the historic names of the Canadian Forces' three environmental commands: Maritime Command became the "Royal Canadian Navy", Air Command the "Royal Canadian Air Force," and Land Force Command the "Canadian Army."[19]
As of August 2015, with the loss of area air defence and (temporarily) resupply capabilities, the RCN was then classified as a Rank 5 navy (offshore regional coastal defence) on theTodd-Lindberg navy classification system of naval strength, dropping from Rank 3 (multiregional power projection) in 2005.[20] Vice-AdmiralAngus Topshee, thecommander of the RCN, indicated in 2023, the "effective strength" of the regular force was considerably lower with numerous naval trades having shortages in trained strength of more than 20 percent.[21] In late 2025, Vice-Admiral Topshee stated that the Navy's personnel problem had not been solved and remained dire,[22] while theAuditor General of Canada reported deeper systemic problems with Canadian military recruitment.[23]
The RCN is headquartered atNational Defence Headquarters (NDHQ) inOttawa, Ontario. Since 1968, the RCN has been an environmental command of theCanadian Armed Forces and since 2012 it has been charged with maintaining and generating forces for theCanadian Joint Operations Command.
The RCN is directed through Naval Staff HQ by the Commander of the RCN, as the Chief of Naval Staff, whose mission is to lead the strategic development and generation of combat capable multi-purpose maritime forces and to provide advice in support of maritime operations.
The RCN's Atlantic Fleet, known as Canadian Fleet Atlantic is co-located withMaritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT), with headquarters atCFB Halifax inHalifax, Nova Scotia. It is supported byCFS St. John's inNewfoundland. Attached to MARLANT and CFB Halifax is the Royal Canadian Air Force's12 Wing Shearwater, based atShearwater Heliport, which provides shipborne air support for the Atlantic Fleet. The RCAF's14 Wing Greenwood provides fixed-wing air support for MARLANT through404 Maritime Patrol and Training Squadron and405 Maritime Patrol Squadron. Other Atlantic Fleet facilities areCFAD Bedford, an ammunition depot, and two radio stations,Naval Radio Section (NRS) Newport Corner andNRS Mill Cove.[a 2]
The Atlantic Fleet, with 18 warships and a number of auxiliary vessels, is responsible for Canada'sexclusive economic zone on the East Coast, as well as Canada's area of responsibility in theAtlantic Ocean and the easternArctic Ocean.
The RCN's Pacific Fleet, known as Canadian Fleet Pacific is co-located withMaritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC), with headquarters atCFB Esquimalt inBritish Columbia, in theGreater Victoria region. MARPAC consists of over 4,000 naval personnel and 2,000 civilian personnel.[a 3]
Comprising 15 warships and several auxiliary vessels homeported in Esquimalt, the Pacific Fleet is responsible for Canada's exclusive economic zone on the West Coast and Canada's area of responsibility in thePacific Ocean and the western Arctic Ocean. Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton provides repair and maintenance services to the Pacific Fleet. The Royal Canadian Air Force's443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron, based atPatricia Bay Heliport but under the control of 12 Wing Shearwater, provides shipborne helicopter support for the Pacific Fleet, while19 Wing Comox provides fixed-wing maritime air support for MARPAC through407 Long Range Patrol Squadron. Other Pacific Fleet facilities are CFAD Rocky Point, an ammunition depot, andNaval Radio Section Aldergrove.
TheCanadian Forces Naval Reserve is thePrimary Reserve component of the RCN. The primary mission of the NAVRES is to force generate sailors and teams for CAF operations, including: domestic safety operations as well as security and defence missions, while at the same time supporting the Navy's efforts in connecting with Canadians through the maintenance of a broad national presence.[24]
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The RCN operates twelve frigates, four patrol submarines, five Arctic and offshore patrol ships, twelve coastal-defence vessels and eight unarmed patrol/training vessels.[25] The surface ships, which carry the designationHis Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS), consist of twelveHalifax-class multi-role patrol frigates, twelveKingston-class coastal defence vessels and five offshore patrol vessels of theHarry DeWolf class. In addition to the surface vessels, the RCN operates fourVictoria-class submarines that were acquired from the Royal Navy in 1998. These warships carry the designation His Majesty's Canadian Submarine. The RCN also maintains and operatesHMCS Oriole, a historic sailing ship launched in 1921 which was commissioned in 1952 as a sail-training ship. Thus,Oriole is the oldest commissioned ship in the RCN. The RCN's ceremonial flagship isHMCS Haida, aTribal-class destroyer which served from 1943 until 1963.[26]
On 19 September 2014, the RCN announced the decommissioning of its twoProtecteur-class resupply ships, along with twoIroquois-class destroyers. The Naval Tactical Operations Group (NTOG;French:Groupe des opérations tactiques maritimes, GOTM), established in 2015, has units based on warships to provide enhanced naval boarding capability.[27][28]
The RCN operates auxiliary vessels to support the Canadian Forces. These vessels are not warships and do not carry the HMCS designation. Among the auxiliary ships operated by the navy are eightOrca-class patrol class training tenders,CFAV Firebrand and fiveGlen-class harbour tugs.[29]MV Asterix is an interim replenishing vessel serving in the RCN with a mixed naval and civilian crew since January 2018 replacing contractedreplenishment oilers until replacements can be commissioned. TheNaval Large Tugboat project is intended to secure four new tugs to replace the Glen class andFirebrand with vessels with combined tug and firefighting capabilities, and is being conducted with shipbuilder Ocean Industries Inc, with project completion expected in 2024.[30]
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Since 1975, all aircraft supporting the RCN are operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force through1 Canadian Air Division, though this will change upon delivery of an Unmanned Aircraft System expected in 2024 or 2025.[31][32]CP-140 Aurora andCP-140A Arcturus anti-submarine, ship surveillance and maritime patrol aircraft have been operated by squadrons under 14 Wing atCFB Greenwood and 19 Wing atCFB Comox. TheCH-148 Cyclone entered operational service with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 2018 and conducts anti-submarine warfare (ASW), surveillance, and search and rescue missions from Royal Canadian Navy frigates. In addition, 18 CP-140 Aurora fixed-wing aircraft for land-based anti-submarine warfare and area surveillance (of which 14 are being modernized and retained for active operations), for land-based maritime surveillance. The RCN has some ships assigned with aUAV:
The following major projects have been announced by the Government of Canada to modernize the Royal Canadian Navy:
| Commander-in-Chief | |
|---|---|
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Commissioned officers of the Canadian Armed Forces have ranks ranging from the NATO standard ranks of OF-1 to OF-9. The only OF-9 position in the Canadian Forces is theChief of the Defence Staff, who can be from any of the service elements. The highest position occupied in the current RCN structure is OF-8, a vice-admiral who is theCommander of the Royal Canadian Navy and Chief of the Naval Staff. OF-6 (commodore) to OF-9 (admiral) are referred to asflag officers, OF-3 (lieutenant-commander) to OF-5 (captain (N)) are referred to assenior officers, while OF-2 (lieutenant (N)) and OF-1 (sub-lieutenant) are referred to asjunior officers. Naval cadets are referred to assubordinate officers.[a 7] All except subordinate officers of the Canadian Forces receive acommission from theKing of Canada asCommander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces. The commissioning scroll issued in recognition of the commission is signed by theGovernor General of Canada as the King of Canada's representative and countersigned by the serving Minister of National Defence. Subordinate officers are promoted toacting sub-lieutenant upon receiving their commissions.
Naval officers are trained at theRoyal Military College of Canada inKingston, Ontario, theRoyal Military College Saint-Jean inSaint-Jean, Quebec, Naval Officer Training Centre (NOTC) Venture and Naval Fleet School (Pacific) inEsquimalt, British Columbia, and Naval Fleet School (Atlantic) in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Some specialized candidates may be commissioned without attending the Royal Military College; the plan is known as Direct-Entry Officer (DEO) Plan. Senior NCOs may also be offered commissions on the basis that their training and experience give them a comparable basis of knowledge; this is referred to as the Commission-from-the-Ranks (CFR) Plan. NCOs who are offered such promotions are typicallypetty officer 1st class or higher, with 20 or more years of service.
The RCN rank structure is shown below for officers
| NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Royal Canadian Navy[54][55] | _OF-9.svg) |  | _OF-8.svg) |  | _OF-7.svg) |  | _OF-6.svg) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||
| Admiral | Vice-admiral | Rear-admiral | Commodore | Captain (N) | Commander | Lieutenant-commander | Lieutenant (N) | Sub-lieutenant | Acting sub-lieutenant | |||||||||||||||
| Amiral(e) | Vice-amiral(e) | Contre-amiral(e) | Commodore | Capitaine de vaisseau | Capitaine de frégate | Capitaine de corvette | Lieutenant(e) de vaisseau | Enseigne de vaisseau de 1re classe | Enseigne de vaisseau de 2e classe | |||||||||||||||
Non-commissioned members of the RCN have pay grades ranging from OR-1 to OR-9. OR-9 (chief petty officer 1st class), OR-8 (chief petty officers 2nd class) and OR-7 (petty officer 1st class) are known aspetty officers, and OR-6 (petty officer 2nd class, referred to as senior non-commissioned officer) form the senior cadre of thenon-commissioned members of the military. OR-5 (master sailor) and OR-4 (sailor first class) are referred to as junior non-commissioned officers, while OR-3 (sailor second class) and OR-2 (sailor third class) are referred to as junior ranks.
AllRegular Force non-commissioned members of the Canadian Forces undergobasic training at theCanadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Recruits then attend occupation-specific training at various locations across Canada.
In August 2020, the term "seaman" was replaced with the gender-neutral term "sailor".[56][57][58]
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Canadian Navy[54][55] | .svg) | .svg) | .svg) | .svg) | .svg) | .svg) | .svg) | No insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chief petty officer 1st class | Chief petty officer 2nd class | Petty officer 1st class | Petty officer 2nd class | Master sailor | Sailor 1st class | Sailor 2nd class | Sailor 3rd class | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premier(ère) maître de 1re classe | Premier(ère) maître de 2e classe | Maître de 1re classe | Maître de 2e classe | Matelot-chef | Matelot de 1re classe | Matelot de 2e classe | Matelot de 3e classe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The RCN was granted the right to use the King's Colour in 1925 byKing George V. The Queen's or King's Colour (also referred to as thesovereign's colour) for the Navy has been consecrated and presented four times: in 1939 byKing George VI in Esquimalt, in 1959 byQueen Elizabeth II inHalifax, in 1979 byQueen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in Halifax and in 2009 by the Governor General and Commander-in-ChiefMichaëlle Jean in Halifax.[59] The colour used by the RCN between 1927 and 1936 was never actually presented but went straight into service in both the Atlantic and Pacific commands.[60] Two identical colours were presented, one for the Atlantic fleet and one for the Pacific fleet, in 1926, 1939 and 1959, but only one colour was presented in 1979 and 2009. This colour is maintained in RCN Headquarters in Ottawa and dispatched to ceremonies whenever it is needed. The current colours consist of a ceremonialstandard with the Maple Leaf flag in the top leftcanton, Elizabeth II's personal Commonwealthcypher (a capitalE on a blue background, surrounded by a circlet of gold roses and laurels, surmounted by a crown) and an anchor and naval crown (from theCanadian Naval Ensign) on the lower right fly. These elements are found in the 1979 and 2009 colours. The colours from 1926, 1939 and 1959 consist of aWhite Ensign with the Queen's or King's cypher, surrounded by the Garter and ensigned with the Crown, in the middle.[59] With the Queen's death there will be eventually a new Colour when a subsequent monarch chooses to bestow one, but there is no regulation that causes the monarch's Colour to automatically change upon their death.[61]
The RCN's retired colours are laid up atBeechwood Cemetery in Ottawa.[59]
The first badge of the Royal Canadian Navy was approved on 31 March 1944. The original design included nine maple leaves, representing the then nine provinces of Canada, and aTudor Crown. After Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949, an updated design was approved on 17 July 1952, which had ten maple leaves. On 26 March 1956,St. Edward's Crown replaced the Tudor Crown.[62] This badge remained in use until theunification of the Canadian Armed Forces on 1 February 1968.
When the Royal Canadian Navy became the Canadian Forces Maritime Command in 1968, the branch received a new badge. This badge included a flying eagle along with the anchor, representing the air arm of the navy. It also included a motto, 'Ready Aye Ready'.[63] Following the reinstatement of the Royal Canadian Navy name in 2011, a new badge was approved in 2016.
The currentbadge of the Royal Canadian Navy consists of:[64]
The history of RCN is preserved and presented at theNaval Museum of Halifax in Halifax, theCanadian War Museum, theNaval Museum of Alberta, theNaval Museum of Manitoba, the naval museums at Naval Reserve Headquarters in Quebec City and at CFB Esquimalt as well as theMaritime Museum of British Columbia. Several RCN ships and submarines have been preserved including the destroyer HMCSHaida, the hydrofoilHMCS Bras d'Or and the submarinesOjibwa andOnondaga. The corvetteHMCS Sackville is Canada's Naval Memorial. TheRoyal Canadian Navy Monument is on the banks of theOttawa River in Ottawa. A monument atPoint Pleasant Park in Halifax commemorates members of RCN who have died in peacetime and there are valour memorials in Halifax, Quebec City and Esquimalt.
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| Military formation inBritish North America |
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| Military formation inNew France | |
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