July 15, 2026 – Ottawa, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
Today, His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Ville de Québec departed its homeport of Halifax, Nova Scotia, to deploy on Operation REASSURANCE, joining Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) as part of Canada’s continued contribution to NATO collective defence efforts in European waters.
HMCS Ville de Québec will operate alongside Allied naval forces in the North Atlantic, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea until December 2026. The ship will contribute to maintaining freedom of navigation, protecting vital maritime routes, and reinforcing NATO’s persistent and credible deterrence and defence posture.
As part of SNMG1, HMCS Ville de Québec will also support the maritime component of the NATO Allied Reaction Force, enabling readiness to respond rapidly to emerging security challenges. Operations alongside Allied navies will further enhance interoperability and strengthen long-standing partnerships across the Alliance.
Quotes
“His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Ville de Québec’s deployment is a demonstration of Canada’s continuing leadership and commitment to collective defence alongside NATO Allies. At a time of evolving global security challenges, the Royal Canadian Navy remains ready to contribute meaningfully to stability and security at sea as part of Operation REASSURANCE.”
Read-Admiral Josée Kurtz, Commander, Maritime Forces Atlantic and Joint Task Force Atlantic
“For the past six months, the entire crew has been focused on becoming a team and preparing for this mission. Today, His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Ville de Québec stands ready to answer the call of Canadians and our NATO Allies.”
Commander Jason Knowles, Commanding Officer, HMCS Ville de Québec
Quick facts
Halifax-class frigates are multi-role platforms that excel in anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare in open ocean environments. The combination of these capabilities and advanced sensor systems, coupled with state-of-the-art damage control and machinery control systems, continue to make these frigates highly capable warships.
HMCS Ville de Québec is one of 12 Halifax-class frigates, each of which deploys with a crew of approximately 240 personnel from across the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), Royal Canadian Air Force, and Canadian Army, including a Helicopter Air Detachment to fly and maintain the ship’s embarked CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopter.
Two other RCN ships are currently deployed on Operation REASSURANCE. On July 6, 2026, Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels HMCS Moncton and HMCS Edmonton deployed to support Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One. From July to October 2026, the ships will operate in European waters, advancing NATO’s maritime security and mine countermeasure operations.
Canada has deployed RCN ships to NATO’s Standing Naval Forces on a rotational basis for over a decade, reinforcing its role as a reliable and capable Ally.
Go Navy!