Future Canadian amphibious assault ship
Encyclopedia
The concept of a Future Canadian Amphibious Assault Ship arose as part of the development of Canada's Joint Support Ship Project
(JSS) and the need to improve the ability of the Canadian Forces to rapidly deploy overseas. Many of the capabilities required were to be included in the JSS, but a dedicated amphibious ship was favoured by some, such as then Chief of the Defence Staff
Rick Hillier. As of August 2008, the project appears to have been placed on hold, if not cancelled. According to French daily La Tribune
, the Royal Canadian Navy
shows "strong interest" in buying two Mistral ships.
and Captain Peter Ellis told the Canadian Forces and the Canadian government they really need sealift capacity for the 21st century. The former Minister of National Defence, David Pratt was directly involved in several major procurement projects totaling $7 billion including the Joint Support Ship and the Amphibious Assault ship project, and declared that in the next decade the Canadian Forces must expect to engage in the sort of operations it has experienced over the past decade.
has proposed four ships similar to the United Kingdom’s Bay class Large Auxiliary Landing Ships.
Lewis MacKenzie
had declared that Canada must consider a carrier-capable version of the F-35 Lightning II
Joint Support Ship Project
The Joint Support Ship Project is a project undertaken by the Canadian Forces to provide Canada with three multirole naval vessels. The Joint Support Ship will enable a Naval Task Group to remain at sea for up to six times longer than is currently possible...
(JSS) and the need to improve the ability of the Canadian Forces to rapidly deploy overseas. Many of the capabilities required were to be included in the JSS, but a dedicated amphibious ship was favoured by some, such as then Chief of the Defence Staff
Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)
The Chief of the Defence Staff is the second most senior member of the Canadian Forces, and heads the Armed Forces Council, having primary responsibility for command, control, and administration of the forces, as well as military strategy, plans, and requirements...
Rick Hillier. As of August 2008, the project appears to have been placed on hold, if not cancelled. According to French daily La Tribune
La Tribune
La Tribune is a French financial newspaper that was founded in 1985. The paper is in tabloid format and has a circulation of around 78,000.- External links :**...
, the Royal Canadian Navy
Royal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
shows "strong interest" in buying two Mistral ships.
Background
In 2005, the former General Rick HillierRick Hillier
General Rick Hillier, CMM, MSC, CD , is the former Chief of the Defence Staff of the Canadian Forces. He held this appointment from February 4, 2005 to July 1, 2008. He retired on July 1, 2008, and was replaced by former Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff Walter Natynczyk...
and Captain Peter Ellis told the Canadian Forces and the Canadian government they really need sealift capacity for the 21st century. The former Minister of National Defence, David Pratt was directly involved in several major procurement projects totaling $7 billion including the Joint Support Ship and the Amphibious Assault ship project, and declared that in the next decade the Canadian Forces must expect to engage in the sort of operations it has experienced over the past decade.
Concept
According to the Direction générale de l'Armement (DGA), the Royal Canadian Navy and DND might show an interest in the French designed and built Mistral class amphibious assault ship. The ship can carry a significantly large military force with equipment and vehicles in "fighting order", enabling the Canadian Forces to face armed opposition ashore. The Future Canadian Amphibious Assault Ship can rapidly disembark personnel and equipment in waves using landing craft and/or helicopters. The ship can offload equipment and personnel in the face of armed opposition. They can also be used as large hospital ships and support humanitarian operations. The Canadian Alliance also called for four “support/amphibious ships, at least one dedicated helicopter/light carrier”. First considered in the year 2000, the design is still unclear. The Royal Canadian Military InstituteRoyal Canadian Military Institute
The Royal Canadian Military Institute , located in Toronto, Ontario, is Canada's premier independent institute for the study of military strategy, arts, military science and literature....
has proposed four ships similar to the United Kingdom’s Bay class Large Auxiliary Landing Ships.
Aircraft
As with any amphibious assault ship, a possible Canadian amphibious assault ship would be expected to carry a number of helicopters for transportation as well as possible offensive/defensive roles. DND has requested that the ship be capable of carrying a minimum of six attack helicopters. In 2003, the former Major GeneralMajor General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Lewis MacKenzie
Lewis MacKenzie
Major-General Lewis Wharton MacKenzie, UE, CM, CMM, MSC, O.Ont, CD is a retired Canadian general, author and media commentator. MacKenzie is most famous for establishing and commanding Sector Sarajevo as part of the United Nations Protection Force UNPROFOR in Yugoslavia in 1992...
had declared that Canada must consider a carrier-capable version of the F-35 Lightning II
F-35 Lightning II
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, fifth generation multirole fighters under development to perform ground attack, reconnaissance, and air defense missions with stealth capability...
See also
- Joint Support Ship ProjectJoint Support Ship ProjectThe Joint Support Ship Project is a project undertaken by the Canadian Forces to provide Canada with three multirole naval vessels. The Joint Support Ship will enable a Naval Task Group to remain at sea for up to six times longer than is currently possible...
- Marine Commando RegimentMarine Commando RegimentThe creation of a Canadian Marine Commando Regiment was proposed as part of the 2006 Canada First Defence Strategy. It was speculated that the unit would be based at Canadian Forces Base Comox, and have an initial strength of approximately 250 members...
- Amphibious assault shipAmphibious assault shipAn amphibious assault ship is a type of amphibious warfare ship employed to land and support ground forces on enemy territory by an amphibious assault...
- List of amphibious warfare ships
External links
- Canada Reviews Support, Transport Ship Programs (accessed Sat 20 Jan 2007)
- Tories set to announce $15 billion in politically acceptable defence spending, Murray Brewster, Canadian PressCanadian PressCanadian Press Enterprises Inc. is the entity which "will take over the operations of the Canadian Press" according to a November 26, 2010 article in the Toronto Star...
, Sunday, June 25, 2006 (accessed Sat 20 Jan 2007) - Ottawa eyes rapid-reaction force, Sheldon Alberts, Victoria Times Colonist, Saturday, November 18, 2006 (accessed Sat 20 Jan 2007)
- Tories freeze all spending on new gear for military, David Pugliese, The Ottawa Citizen, Saturday, April 15, 2006 (accessed Sat 20 Jan 2007)
- Integrated Tactical Effects Experiment (ITEE)
- DND show an interest in the french design
- DND show an interest in the french design
- Canada Future Amphibious Assault Ship
- Canadian Forces Amphibious project a reality