Royal Canadian Navy (Cold War)

Canadian cruisers

HMCS Uganda(later HMCS Quebec) served in 1943-1961 and HMCS Ontario from 1946 to 1960. They differed little for the British ships, Crow Colony class for the first and Switsure class for the second. However both were “winterized” for Canadian service, with added insulation and steam heating for the weaponry and electronics as well as all deck fixtures, plus USN pattern search radar.

HMCS Quebec (Ex-Uganda)

HMCS Uganda underway. HMCS Uganda remained unaltered for most of her active life. In 1960 she was one of the last conventional cruisers. She was renamed Quebec in 1952 and alterned training duties as a schoolship and escort missions for the Canadian aicraft carrier task force and ASW hunter-killer group. She spent her later years in Halifax as a school ship.

Her return to active duty from her inactivation in 1947 dated from her entry into the Korean War, and commitment of units of all branches to the British Commonwealth Forces in Korea. This necessitated her reactivation starting in August 1951, she was refitted and modernized at Esquimalt and recommissioned on 14 January 1952, as HMCS Quebec (C31). She sailed to Halifax, visited Quebec on 14 June 1952 and in 13–25 September, accompanied HMCS Magnificent in the major NATO naval exercise Mainbrace in northern European waters. By February 1953, she sailed to Bermuda for training and in June became flagship for Rear Admiral Bidwell in Spithead (coronation of Queen Elizabeth II). In October 1954, she made a seven-week training cruise to the Caribbean Sea and South America. By mid-April 1955, she circumnavigated Africa. She was paid off on 13 June 1956, placed in reserve at Sydney, Nova Scotia and was sold in 1960 for scrap, which took place in Japan in 1961.

HMCS Ontario

HMCS Ontario in the 1950s

HMCS Ontario on her side was of the more modern and larger Swisftsure class, completed just before the war ended. She entered service with the RCN in May 1945. Intended to serve for the final missions in the pacific, she toured Hong Kong, Manila and Japan in 1946. In October 1948, she sailed with the destroyers Cayuga, Athabaskan, Crescent and the frigate Antigonish to Pearl Harbor and in January 1949, took part in the largest training cruise so far for the RCN with Magnificent, Haida, Athabaskan and the frigate Antigonish (CTF 215), taking part in naval exercises with US and RN ships in the Caribbean Sea. In February 1951, she sailed to Australia for exercises with the Royal Australian Navy. In October that year, she toured the east coast and hosted the Duke of Edinburgh in a Royal Visit. Throughout 1952, sailed around South America suffering in Buenos aires a minor collision with the merchant vessel SS Arauco. And in Rio de Janeiro her starboard propellers was found damaged and was partially repaired in situ. She returned to Esquimalt for full repairs. By June 1953 she took part in the Coronation Fleet Review and in January 1954, started a training cruise across the Pacific, and after returning home, a three-month training cruise to Australia and New Zealand. In early 1955 she started a four-month cruise of Europe and the rest if the year visited North and South America. She was paid off on 15 October 1958, and sold with Quebec to Mitsui and Co. of Japan to be BU from November 1960. Her bell has been preserved, currently held at HMCS Ontario Cadet Training Centre in Kingston, Ontario.

Canadian Destroyers

The Royal Canadian Navy inherited from WW2 a sizeable fleet of eleven destroyers. Some were Canadian-built, seven in all of the famous “tribal” class, most completed shortly after the end of the war in 1945-46. They were all modernized. Others, of the ‘Cr’ and ‘Valentine’ class were transferred postwar. They were mostly used for escort missions of the Canadian aircraft carriers as part of ASW groups, and were modernized, sometimes radically, such as the two vessels converted to Type 15 Frigates. They served until the 1960s, in anticipation of the 1968 reforms, no longer relevant in the new context.

Iroquois (‘Tribal’) class (1941)

The “Tribals” were arguably the most powerful destroyer class built by the British during WW2, and they were also the best Canadian and Australian destroyers, built by local yards. Their main advantage was a powerful artillery in twin turrets, eight in all, to the expanse of a torpedo tubes bank. Canadian yards delivered eight vessels during the war, some completed in 1946: HMCS Haida, Cayuga, Huron, Micmac, Iroquois, Nootka and Athabaskan (ii), all bing named of Canadian Indian tribes. The 1st one, HMCS Athabaskan first of the name was sunk in action in 1944. Haida was one of the most active during the war and still preserved today. They formed the bedrock of classic surface warfare escort for the two Canadian cruisers in service and aircraft carriers in the 1950-60s, but were of course duly modernized to stay relevant in the 1960s.

Nootka, Micmac, Cayuga and Athabaskan were indeed even still fitting out when the war ended and saw service at the beginning of the cold war, incorporating many changes resulting from wartime lessons: Nootka and Micmac retained their 4.7 in guns but omitted their DCTs. They had 40 mm Pompom mounts aft instead and twin Mark V for Nootka on either side. Athabaskan had four twin 4-in /45 Mk 16 and a Mark 6 director and twin 40 mm Mk.V AA. Piecemeal modernization were staged in 1946 up to 1951. 4.7 in guns were replaced by 4-in, USN pattern Mk63 radars FCS, and Squid SW mortars on their quartedeck while all light AA was replaced by 40 mm AA Bofors.
In 1951 ful modernization began for the whole Haida class: It was staged in steps between 1952 and 1955 when the last was recommissioned. This was aimed at making them more ASW-capable according to the NATTO policy of the time. It concerned the armament and fire control. Two Twin 4-in/45 Mark 16 UK pattern installed forward, a single twin 3-in/50 Mk22 aft on “X” position, four individual 40 mm/60 Boffins AA guns, and two Squid mortars on the quarterdeck. Short aluminium lattice fitted, new caps for funnels, Mark 6 or Mark 63 directors upgraded and stripped Mark III(W) director fitted for surface fire. They had also fiberglass shields for their 3-in guns (Cayuga and Athabaskan). As such, these vessels served the RCAN 1964-1969.

HMCS Athabaskan in 1963. She was decommissioned last, in 1969. Src: navypedia
Specifications after 1955 refit:
-Displacement: 2200, 2500 tonnes FL
-Dimensions, Powerplant, Performances: same as ww2 Tribal class
-Armament: 2×2 4in/45, twin 3-in/50, 4x 40mm AA, quad 21-in TT, Squid ASWMR
-Electronics: Radar 275, SPS-10, SPS-6, 293, 262, Sonar 170, 174.
-Crew: 240

Cr/Valentine class (1943)

HMCS Sioux in the 190s.
These ‘V’ and ‘Cr’ class British-built destroyers of 1943 were transferred in 1945 and comprised the Crescent and Crusader, Algonquin and Sioux, reclassed as destroyers escorts in 1952, but only two were given a Type 15 conversion refit for ASW warfare: Algonquin and Crescent, similar to the British Type 15 Frigates. Sioux and Crusader however had their ASW systems upgraded. For details about hethe Type 15 frigate conversion, see the cold war Royal Navy page.

HMCS Crescent in 1958

Canadian Frigates

HMCS Prestonian in 1954

In the 1960s, Canada still operated twenty-three ASW Friagtes of the wartime “River” class (The Loch class vessels were retired unmodified earlier). These 2,180 tonnes vessels were modernized for a part in the 1950s. These were the: HMCS New Glasgow, La Hulloise, New Waterford, Outremont, Lanark, Lauzon, St. Catherine’s, Penetang, Swansea, Prestonian, Antigonish, Ste Therese, Beacon Hill, Stettler, Buckingham, Stonetown, Cap de la Madeleine, Sussexvale, Port Erie, Toronto, Incharran, Victoriaville, Jonquiere.

They differed at the base from RN River class by their twin 4in Mk 16 AA placed in ‘B’ position. HMCS Prestonian was the first modernized, in 1951-53. Her forecastle was lengthened and widened, right aft, funnel raised, as well as a larger and higher bridge. Machinery was removed and replaced by two steam engines and diesel generators with greater output, and a modern sonar, more powerful, installed. After sea trials and first exercizes it was concluded this was a very successful conversion. Other frigates soon followed suite, modernized until 1958 except HMCS St catherine and Stonetown, which were converted as weather ships. It would be too long to detail their career, the class will be the object of a dedicated post.

HMCS Stonetown 1963 as a weather ship

HMCS Antigonish 1965 as rebuilt in the new standard

Specifications after the 1955-58 refit:
-Displacement: 1570, 2360 tonnes FL
-Dimensions: 91.8 x 11.2 x 4.9m (310 x 36 x 16 ft)
-Powerplant: 2 shafts VTE, 2 admiralty 3-drum boilers, 2 diesel units
-Performances: 5500 ihp, 20 knots, oil 720 tonnes
-Armament: 1×2 4in Mk16, 6x 40mm AA (Mk5, Mk9) 2 Squid ASWMR
-Electronics: SQS-2, TDY-1, ECM gear
-Crew: 140

The Cold war RCN

In this chapter are detailed the “new navy”, with ships tailored to local needsand built in Canadian yards, which were Esquimalt DyD, Canadian Vickers, Halifax SyD, Burrard, vancouver, Marine Ind, Sorel, Davie SB lauzon (later MIL Davie), victoria Machinery and St John SB for more recent ships like the City class Frigates laid down from 1987. The smaller yard Port Arthur built the Gaspe class minesweepers (With Canadian Yarrow and other yards).

Destroyers & Frigates

Algonquin class destroyer escorts (1952)

These two vessels, Algonquin and Crescent were not precisely “brand new” vessels: They were in fact converted destroyers from WW2, former HMS Crescent and the ex-Valenine, ex-Kempenfelt (HMCS Algonquin). The ASW focus of the RCN made it relevant to rebuot them as dedicated ASW Frigates along the lines of the existing British Royal Navy Type 15 conversion, which allowed many former WW2 destroyers to become relevant in the new context of the cold war and the threat of mass-built Soviet submarines roaming the Atlantic. This was however the Canadian version of the type 15 Conversion, following the same general lines but with a larger, taller bridge to fend off heay weather waves of the North Atlantic, and all-American electronics. Algonquin had a RN-pattern twin 4-in aft and US pattern 3-in/50 forward. Crescent was different in having her twin 4-in forward and the 3-in aft, so reversed. Both also had the new 40 mm Boffin abreast of the funel and Crescent a prominent cap over her funnel. Conversion work started at Esquimalt DyD (which was not equipped to built complete vessels), starting in 1952 and completed in 1956. Both ships subsequently added ten years to their active service compared to other Canadian destroyers of the era. The ASW focus being no longer relevant at that time.

HMCS Algonquin in 1956 as converted (src navypedia)
Specifications:
As British Type 15 conversions.

St Laurent class destroyer escorts (1951)

St Laurent, Saguenay, Skeena, Ottawa, Margaree, Fraser, Assiniboine

HMCS Fraser of the St Laurent class underway in 1983. She was disposed of in 1994.

The later 1940 pressing need for ASW escorts of NATO urged efforts of all kind, either conversions (see above) which were the cheapest, fastest way to achieve this objective, of building new dedicated ships, in a difficult context financially. This was helped by massive funds. The Canadian Government voted the construction of a serie of domestic destroyer escort to be built over ten years. In total, the class started by St Laurent would comprise tenty vessels from 1950 when the first keel was laid down, to December 1964 when the last was completed, with a different design. general outlines and specifications were generally the same, with differences as we will see.

The British proposed their Whitby class vessels, but the USN nothing which matched exactly the needs of the RCN. Therefore, it was decided to create a purely domestic design. To achieve this, the government asked a Montreal naval architect, German & Milne for proposals in 1948. The design was refined and developed under the supervision of Rowland baker, senior director of naval consrtuction for the RCN and the final design was made ready in late 1949, with some additions until the blueprints were delivered in early 1950. Baker used the Withby as a model, with the same machinery, imported from the UK at that point, but US electronics, and electrical gear Canadian. Baker was British and virtually remake the Type 12 design, but with an original external design to make it looks more “Canadian” and manage local susceptibilities. But the vessels really were Withby-class in disguise.

Margaree after her 1960s refit, showing her helicopter pad. She was retired in 1994.

The St Laurent, Saguenay, Skeena, Ottawa, Margaree, Fraser, Assiniboine were laid down between November 1950 at Canadian Vickers (the first and only one) and May 1952 in Sorel, completed between 1955 and 1957. In 1961 already came their first modernization campaign. They were all equipped with a VDS (variable depht sonar) at the stern, while their Limbo Mk 10 ASW mortar was removed and two 40 mm AA guns to make room for a hangar and helicopter pad installed on the former quartedeck. Both were sized to house large helicopters and indeed, when the last conversion was completed in 1966, all could carry a Sikorsky Sea King built in Canada (CHSS-2), greatly improving their ASW range and capabilities. From then on, they were rated as helicopter carrier destroyers or DDH and their numeration changed accordingly. Then two years later, the great narmed branches reforms came and their ASW focus was no longer supported. So beginning in 1972, St Laurent was laid up, but not sold and discarded before 1979 and the others in the 1990s. Assiniboine was a training ship from 1989 in Halifax.
The St Laurent was seen as a success and followed by near-sisters, the improved Restigouche and Mackenzie class.

Specifications:
-Displacement: 2000 t standard, 2600 t FL
-Dimensions: 113.1 x 12.8 x 4.2 m (371 x 42 x 13 ft)
-Powerplant: 2 shafts English Electric steam turbines, 2 Babcock & Wilcow boilers
-Performances: 30,000 shp and 28 knots.
-Armament: 2×2 3-in/50 DP, 2x Boffins 40 mm AA, 2 Limbo ASWM Mk.10
-Electronics: Radar SPS-12, 12, SPG-48, Sonar SQS-501/502/503/504, VDS (1966)
-Crew: 290

Restigouche class destroyers (1954)

Restigouche, Chaudière, Gatineau, St. Croix, Kootenay, Terra Nova, Columbia

Restigouche class DDEs in Alaskan waters

Ordered in 1952 as a repeat of the St. Laurent class, they integrated the new British twin 3in/70 Mark 6 forward, not ready when the previous class was built, and and US-pattern 3-in Mk22 aft. Four of the class, Restigouche, Gatineau, Kootenay and Terra Nova were modernized, but not in the same line as the St Laurent, between 1966 and 1973. A VDS was installed, and ASROC launcher aft replaced one of the two Limbo mortars, and US-pattern aft 3-in twin turret. They had no helicopter pads or facility. A new lattice foremast stepped was also installed, and from 1974, St Croix, Chaudières and Columbia joined the reserve, the first reduced to harbour service and the others were still active in the 1990s. The last retired were HMCS Kootenay (DDE 258) sunk as an artificial reef off Mexico in 2001, and Gatineau (DDE 236) scrapped in pictou shipyard in 1998.

HMCS Kootenay in Pearl harbor

Specifications:
-Armament: 2×2 3-in/70 Mk6 DP, 2x 3-in/50 Mk 22 DP, 2 Limbo Mk10 ASWM, 2x 40 mm Boffins
-Electronics: SPS-12, SPS-10, Speey Mk2, SPG-48, SQS-501, SQS-203, VDS (1970s)

Mackenzie class destroyers (1961)

Mackenzie, Saskatchewan, Yukon, Qu’Appelle

HMCS Mackenzie off San Diego in 1992

These were basically “repeat restigouche” with few changes but improved habitability, better pre-wetting, bridge, weatherdeck fittings and features to deal with extreme cold. Only difference in armament was a pair of triple Mk32 12.75 in ASW torpedo launchers on the broadsid. On HMCS Yukon and Qu’Apelle, the forward British 3-in twin mount was eplaced by an US one. They were completed in 1962-63 and during the DELEX refits at Esquimalt in 1982-85, they were given an SQS-505 sonar and new navigation radar. In 1992, they started to be replaced by the new “City” class frigates.

Annapolis class Helicopter destroyers (1963)

Annapolis, Nipigon

The final development of the St Laurent class DDs. Ordered in 1959 to incorporate all the developments made on previous ships as modernized, they were completed with a hangar and helideck aft, operating a Sea King. Displacement reached 3000 tonnes fully loaded and because of the topwight, they carried only the USN pattern 3-in/50 Mk33 forward and the SQS-501 VDS. In 1977-79 they were modernized s DDH, and in the 1980s under the DELEX program and in 1987-88 they gained the SQR-501 CANTASS towed sonar for trials and evaluation. Completed in 1964, they were both still extant in the 1990s, paid off 1996-98 and BU 2003-2015, scuttled off-shore to create artificial reefs.

Specifications: As Restigouche class

Tribal class missile frigates (cancelled, 1963)

These were eight large general-purpose Frigates announced in 1960, which would have been named as the seven destroyers they replaced. However the program was cancelled in 1963 before any order placed. The development served in the new Iroquois program (see later). Specs were like the latter with few exceptions. The most interesting part of the design was their RIM Tartar naval air missile, making them the first Canadian missile frigates ever designed. The new Iroquois were more conventional helicopter destroyers.
Specifications:
-Powerplant: 2-shafts geared steam turbines
-Performances: 36,000 shp, 30 knots
-Armament: 1x 5-in/54 Mk42, Tartar RM-24 SAM, 2×3 324 mm ASW TTs.

Canadian Submarines

Being focused on searching and killing submarines, Canada never really developed any use for submarines, it did not fit NATO’s requirement nor national ones. Nevertheless, as submarines can be useful hunter-killers of their own against Soviet submarines, the RCN operated five submarines during the early cold war, and for training. There is no plan to built or purchase new ones.

Transfers: Grilse, Rainbow (1961-68)

HMCS Grisle was the first Canadian submarine, the ex-USS Burrfish SSR312, of the modernized Balao class. She was an ex-radar picket conversion of the 1950s, acquired in 1961. She was initially on loan by the RCN for two years, extended to five later, kept for ASW training at Eskimalt. She was formally commissioned on 11 May 1961 and in May 1966 the loan was extended until 1969 shen she was returned to the USN.
HMCS Rainbow was the ex- USS Argonaut SS 475, a classic “fleet snorkel” conversion acquired to replace Grisle in December 1968. She served in the same purposed at Eskimalt SB and was returned to the USA on 31 December 1974 to be scrapped.

Ojibwa class submarines (1964)

HMCS Ojibwa, Onandaga, Okananga

The only “serious” class of submarines deployed by Canada. These were British-built, at Chatham, on the Oberon class SSK design. They were identical to the British models, but with some differences: They were armed with the Mk 37C ASW torpedoes, and carried 22 of them, as pure submarine hunter-killers. Laid down in September 1962, June 1964 and March 1965, they were completed in 1965-68. HMCS Ojibwa started her upgraded (SOUP for Submarine Operational Upgrade Program) in 1920, followed by her sister-ships in 1983 and 1982-86. As completed, they had a completely new sonar arrangement with the Marconi Type 2051 Triton and enlarged bow dome, new fire control system Singer-Librascope Mark I Mod 0, better passive array andn active transducers in a reworked fin while the type 2007 was retained. In 1987 the FCS and launching systems were revised again to handle the Mk48 Mod 4 torpedo and sub-harpoon, which radically enhanced her SSM capabilities. HMCS Onondaga left the Atlantic for the Pacific in 1994 but they were decommissioned in 1998 and one preserved as a museum ship.

Misc. vessels

HMCS Sackville, minelayer (1956)

As the name indicates. This was a “flower” class corvette retained in post-war service, laid up in 1953-56 to be converted as a minelayer, AN 113. She was design to lay “loops” of controlled minefields, lent to the naval research lab for oceanographic work, redesignated AGOR 113 in 1964 and specialized in survey work.
Specifications as rebuilt:
-Displacement: 1084/1350 tonnes FL
-Dimensions: 62.5 x 10.1 x 4 m (205 x 33 x 14 ft)
-Powerplant: 1 shaft VTE; 2 boilers, 2750 hp
-Performances: 16.5 knots, Oil 230 tonnes
-Armament: None
-Crew: 38

HMCS Bluethroat, loop layer (1955)

Before the Sackville was converted, a first loop minelayer was built, HMCS Bluethroat, started in 1951, completed in 1955, redesignated AGOR 114 in 1954 and converted for survey duties. She was sold in 1991 to a US private company.
Specifications as rebuilt:
-Displacement: 785/870 tonnes FL
-Dimensions:47.8 x 10 x 3 m (205 x 33 x 14 ft)
-Powerplant: 2 shaft diesels 1200 hp
-Performances: 13 knots, Oil ? tonnes
-Armament: None
-Crew: 25

Gaspé class coastal minesweepers (1951)

Gaspé, Chaleur, Fundy, Comox, Cowichan, Ungava, Quinte, Miramichi, Fortune, James Bay, Thunder, Resolute, Chigneto, Trinity, Fundy (ii), Thunder (ii), Cowichan (ii), Chaleur (ii).

HMCS Miramichi

Four coastal minesweepers were ordered in 1950, called AMC/MCB. Ten more followed in 1951. They were built locally, between Favie SB, Port Arthur, St John, Victoria Machinery, Canadian Yarrow, Kingston SYd, and Marine Industries, numbered MCB-143 (HMCS Gaspé) to 164 (HMCS Chaleur), twenty in all. They were based on a proven design; The “Bay” class coastal minesweepers based on a WW2 model, but more particularly on the British ‘Ton’ class. To avoid problem with magnetic mines, they were built in degaussed aliminium for the framing and wood, for the planking. In 1954, sox were resold to France (see the cold war french section). In 1958, four wre sold to Turkey. In 1972 their designation was changed again for small patrol escorts of FFL and in 1979 they were used for training with PB pennant numbers.
Specifications:
-Displacement: 390/412 tonnes FL
-Dimensions: 46.3 x 8.5 x 2.6 m (152 x 28 x 8 ft)
-Powerplant: 2 shaft GM 12 cyl diesels 2400 hp
-Performances: 15 knots, Oil 52 tonnes
-Armament: 40 mm/60 Mk.7
-Crew: 40

Bird class sub-hunters (1955)

Class: Loon, Cormorant, Bleu Heron, Mallard

HMCS Mallard (PCS-783), SRC

These vessels were built from 1955 in wood and aluminium as submarine chasers, harbour patrol and ASW training. They were all paid off in 1963 while HMCS Blue Heron was transferred to the Marine section of the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) and served for many more years. Arctic Tern (PCS 784), Sandpiper (PCS 785), Herring Gull (PCS 786) and Kingfisher (PCS 787) were planned but never built.

Specifications:
-Displacement: 66 tonnes FL
-Dimensions: 30.2 x 5.6 x 1.7m (92 x 17 x 5ft)
-Powerplant: 2 shaft diesel 1200 bhp, 14 knots
-Armament: 20 mm AA, Hedgehog and DCs
-Crew: 21

The 1970-90s fleet, reformed RCN

Iroquois class helicopter destroyers (1970)

Iroquois, Huron, Athabaskan, Algonquin.

HMCS Huron in 1976

The new “Tribals” were a less amphitious program than the cancelled previous missile frigates (see above) by the new government. They constituted however a step-up in terms of size and capabilities compared to the St Laurent class, being twice as large with a deep load of 5100 tonnes when modernized. They were named DDH and later DDG, helicopter-carrying, guided missile destroyers, which they became under the TRUMP modernization program in the 1980s. Basically these “tribals” were ordered in 1968 based on the past development, same hull as the cancelled GPF of 1960, but a rather conventional armament, however two hangar to carry heavy duty helicopters, a force multiplier. When completed in 1972-73 they were saluted by the international naval press as ones of the most powerful escort ships in the world. Their large hull was tailored to present a massive superstructure followed by two hangars either side of the exhaust funnel, lattice mast, wide helideck and lower aft deck with a VDS. They jad a forward Italian OTO Melara 5-in guns forward and ASWRL mounted forward of the main bridge. Contrary to previous designs, they adopted an Italian rapid fire gun and Dutch radars.

In 1986, funs were allocated to carry out the long-awaited AAW program the Canadian Navy wanted, performed under the name of TRUMP (‘TRribal’ class update and modernization program) by Litton Systems Canada Ltd. They adopted US missile systems and guiding radars. The Standard SM-2 adopted was way better than the Tartar previously envisioned, and antimissile capabilities enhanced by the adoption of Phalanx guns. The forward section was modified to house the Standard SAM silo launcher and the 5-in was replaced by a much smaller 76 mm OTO Melara ‘super rapido’ gun in B position. The Phalanx CIWS were installed aft on the hangar roof. The funnel exhaust and powerplant were modified as well with a GM Allison cruising turbine, and all the electronics on board. the latter included decoy launchers, ESM and ECM. Algonquin was modernized at MIL-davie (Lauzon, Quebec) in 1987-91, Iroquois in 1988, and he last two emerged from the program in 1993, so after the end of the cold war. From 1986 they were re-rated DDG-280 to 283.

HMCS Iroquois in the 1990s as modernized.

HMCS Huron as completed
Specifications (1973):
-Displacement: 3,351 t standard, 4,700 t DL
-Dimensions: 128.9 m oa (121.3 pp) x 15.2 x 4.4 m (433 x 50 x 14 fts)
-Powerplant: 2 shafts CODOG, 2 Pratt & Whitney FT4A2 gas turbines, 2 cruising turbines
-Performances: 50,000 shp, and 7400 for the P&W FT12AH3 gas turbines, 29 knots
-Armament: 1x 5-in/54 OTO DP, 320 mm ASWRL, 2×3 324 mm ASW TTs, 2 Sea King helicopters
-Electronics: LW-08, STIR 1.8, SQS-501, SQS-505
-Crew: 23 officers 232 ratings, +30 air crew

HMCS Iroquois after TRUMP
Specifications (Modernized):
-Displacement: 5,100 t DL
-Powerplant: Same but GM Allison 570 KF cruising gas turbines
-Armament: 1x 3-in/70 OTO SR, M41 Standard 2 SAM, Mk 15 Phalanx CIWS, 2×3 324 mm ASW TTs, 2 Sea King helicopters
-Electronics: LW-08, STIR 1.8, SQS-505, shield DL, SQL-504 Canews,ESM, ILQ-6 ECM

“City” class helicopter frigates (1988)

Halifax, Vancouver, Ville de Quebec, Toronto, Regina, Calgary, Montreal, Frederickton, Winnipeg, Charlottetown, St John’s, Ottawa.

HMS Calgary leaving Pearl Harbor in 2014

This was at first an ambitious program of twenty vessels, but the order for the first six ships was delayed until 22 December 1977, years after the until planning. In addition, the contract was not awarded to the St John Shipbuilding Co. of New Brunswick before June 1983 and construction started in March 1987. Planned for the cold war, none of these ships would see it and their general conception was already outdated. Nevertheless, for multipurpose helicopter Frigates, they were a balanced design, with the advantage of costs reduction due to the large production at the same yardd, St John. The only exception was MIL-Davie of Lauzon for Ville de Quebec, Regina and Calgary. The twetny vessels figure was never aproached, instead 12 vessels were completed until 1998, numbered HFF-330 to 341, also called “Halifax class Frigates”.

Design wise they shared their hull with the previous Iroquois class, a few meters longer and larger, with a longer quarterdeck aft, extending to over the stern’s VDS with a large helideck and large hangar for a single Sea King helicopter, or Merlin EH-101, and today a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter. Armament was rather comprehensive, and of US origin, notably with a SAM and SSM capabilities with Harpoon launchers. A single super-fast 57 mm gun forward provides an all around artillery capability, antimissile protection is ensured by two CIWS units, decoys and chaff, ECM/ESM.

As of today, Canada planned replacement is the “Canadian Surface Combatant”. This is quite an ambitious vessel, part of the new class of “super frigates” of 7000-8000 tonnes of displacement, basically destroyers in disguise. The program is aiming at replacing the former Tribal and City class ships by 15 new modular vessels, beginning in the mid to late 2020s, as part of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy.

City class Specifications:
-Displacement: 3600 tonnes standard, 4750-4770 tonnes FL
-Dimensions: 134.1 oa(124.1 pp) x 16.4 x 4.9 m (440 x 54 x 16 ft))
-Powerplant: 2 shafts CODOG GE LM 2500 Gas Turbines SEMT Pielstick 20PA-V280 diesel
-Performances: 46,000 shp + 8800 bhp, 28 knots, range 7100 nm/15 knots
-Armament: 1x 57 mm/7 SAK Mk2, 8 Harpoon SSM, 2 Mk48 Sea Sparrow SAM, Mk15 Phalanx CIXWS, 2×2 324 mm ASW TT, 8x 05 cal.HMG, 1Helicopter
-Electronics: SPS-49(V)4n Sea Giraffe HC 150, Sonar SQS-505(V)6, SQR-501 CANTASS
-Crew: 225

Kingston class maritime coastal defence vessels (1995)

These ships are just mentioned her, as already off-topic: They were started in 1995, but ordered in 1991 and studies started in 1988. All were built at Halifax SY. Small patrol vessels of 962 tonnes, they have a 40 mm/60 Mk 5C Boffin and two 12.7 mm HMG. Originally they were planned as mine countermeasure vessels, with limited peacetime patrol and training role, and theur MCM wacability was drastically reduced to lower cost. The last of the class, HMCS Summerside (MM 711) was completed in 1999. Replacement is not expected before 2030.

Specifications:
-Displacement: 962 tonnes
-Dimensions: 55.3 x 11.3 x 3.4 m (181 x 37 x 11 ft)
-Powerplant: 2 shafts Wärtsilä diesel-electric
-Performances: 3000 bhp, 15 knots, range 4000 nm at 12 knots.
-Armament: 40 mm/60 Mark V Boffin AA, 12.7 mm (.5 cal.) Browning M2HB HMG
-Electronics: Radar KH1006, Towed Sonar sidescan
-Crew: 17