Ottawa – The ships’ companies of His Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Shawinigan and Summerside depart their homeport of Halifax, N.S., to join Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) on Operation REASSURANCE. The contribution of two Kingston-class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels (MCDV) to SNMCMG1 demonstrates Canada’s ongoing commitment to NATO’s high readiness continuous at-sea presence, and the Royal Canadian Navy’s leadership on the world stage to work alongside Allies to strengthen security throughout European waters.
This will be the second full-length deployment for HMCS Summerside and the first deployment for HMCS Shawinigan on Operation REASSURANCE. Both ships have embarked Royal Canadian Navy clearance diving teams from Fleet Diving Units Atlantic and Pacific, and mine countermeasure search capabilities using autonomous underwater vehicles. The deployment of HMCS Summerside and Shawinigan follows on the deployment of HMCS Fredericton, which has been serving with Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 in the Mediterranean since January 2023.
“This deployment of two Royal Canadian Navy ships under Operation REASSURANCE demonstrates Canada’s ironclad commitment to Euro-Atlantic security. Canada will continue to make tangible contributions to NATO maritime operations. To the companies of HMCS Shawinigan and HMCS Summerside – I wish you fair winds and following seas, and I thank you for your service.” – Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence