Royal Canadian Navy ships head for Indo-Asia-Pacific deployment

Two Royal Canadian Navy ships departed Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt on March 6 to start the Poseidon Cutlass deployment in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

During their near six-month deployment, Her Majesty’s Canadian (HMC) Ships Winnipeg and Ottawa will take part in exercises with regional partner navies at sea, as well as in key events and engagements in ports across the region.

The ships will make a number of port visits throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region to countries including the Philippines, Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka, China, South Korea, and Japan.

“This deployment is an example of Canada’s enduring commitment to the maintenance of regional peace and security in the strategically important Indo-Asia-Pacific region,” Rear-Admiral Art McDonald, Commander, Maritime Forces Pacific, said. “I’m confident that HMC Ships Winnipeg and Ottawa will be well-received as capable expressions of Canadian interest and contribution.”

“I am enthusiastic about the Royal Canadian Navy’s ‘generate forward’ concept and the opportunity for HMC Ships Winnipeg and Ottawa to strengthen our partnerships with Indo-Asia Pacific nations during the Poseidon Cutlass 17 deployment,” Commander Jeff Hutchinson, HMCS Winnipeg Commanding Officer, said.

The RCN “generates forward” by deploying warships and submarines abroad to train and conduct trials. Already at sea, these vessels have the people, tools, skills, and flexibility needed to respond when called upon to support Canada’s priorities in the region, and to provide the government with defence and security options. The ship’s capabilities can be augmented as needed while deployed to meet specialized tasks.