Canadian warship HMCS Ville de Quebec, one of 12 Halifax-class frigates in service with the Royal Canadian Navy, recently deployed to the Indo-Pacific region to take part in a multinational mission.

The vessel departed from Halifax, Nova Scotia on April 7 for Operation HORIZON, Canada’s forward-presence mission to the Indo-Pacific region to promote peace, stability and the rules-based international order.

It will integrate into several phases of the United Kingdom’s carrier strike group deployment to the region, conducted with the United States and allied navies, which is designed to increase interoperability.

"This deployment further demonstrates the Canadian Armed Forces’ commitment to international peace and security efforts through operational excellence," Canadian Joint Operations Commander Lt. Gen. Steve Boivin said April 7.

"Our ability to integrate seamlessly with our allies makes us a valued partner in maintaining global stability.”

Formidable presence on the waves

Halifax-class frigates were originally designed for anti-submarine warfare. But with modern technology, they now exemplify modern multi-domain flexibility.

Ville de Quebec is a formidable presence on the waves, with a displacement of over 4,770 tons. The warship, 134m in length, can travel at a top speed of 30 knots (56 km/h) and reach a range of 9,500 nautical miles.

The 225-member crew includes sailors and an Air Arm, which is responsible for operating the ship's US-made Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone helicopters.

The Cyclone was specifically designed for the Royal Canadian Navy for anti-submarine warfare. The rotocraft also can conduct anti-surface warfare (ASuW), maritime search and rescue (SAR), overland operations and utility missions.

Ville de Quebec is equipped with a broad array of ordnance for anti-surface, anti-air and anti-submarine needs.

Its armaments include 24 Honeywell MK 46 torpedoes, 16 evolved Sea Sparrow medium-range surface-to-air missiles (ESSMs) and eight RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles.

Ville de Quebec has a Bofors Mk.2 57mm turreted deck gun to manage close-range threats and provide rapid-fire support against surface and aerial targets.

Its 20mm Phalanx Close-In-Weapon System (CIWS) provides key defense against incoming missiles or adversary aircraft. And the frigate can house up to eight 0.50 caliber Browning Heavy Machine Guns for close-quarters defense.

This integrated, multilayered shipborne defense system enables Ville de Quebec to counter all manner of threats, from sea to sky.