Canadian frigate visits HCM City during Westploy 16

Westploy 16 is HMCS Vancouver’s deployment aimed at building ties between the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the navies of Asia-Pacific countries.

Since departing its home port of Esquimalt, British Columbia, last June, HMCS Vancouver has operated extensively throughout the Pacific region, including participation in maritime training exercises RIMPAC and Kakadu.

This deployment allows HMCS Vancouver, along with an embarked CH-124 Sea King helicopter and air detachment, to test and evolve the warfighting capabilities of the Halifax-Class warships after upgrades to equipment that were made as part of the Halifax-Class Modernization/Frigate Life Extension project.

Commodore Jeff Zwick, Commander Canadian Fleet Pacific, said: During this visit, HMCS Vancouver will continue Canada’s defence dialogue with Vietnam and undertake outreach projects that cultivate goodwill between our nations.

As the ship carries on conducting operations in the Pacific, she will foster increased relations and inter-operability among nations including Australia, Vietnam, and New Zealand.

Throughout WESTPLOY 16, she will serve as an excellent ambassador for Canada by showcasing both the professionalism of the Royal Canadian Navy personnel as well as demonstrating the enhanced capabilities of our Post-Halifax-Class-Modernization Warships, while conducting realistic and essential training for her more than 200 sailors.

Up next, following the HCM City visit, Vancouver will proceed heading south for Brisbane and Auckland. It will return to the southern waters in time to participate in New Zealand’s fleet review, and then make its way back home to Victoria before the end of the year.