Canada sends third frigate to U.S. warfare drills in Indo-Pacific region

HMCS Charlottetown transits the Mediterranean Sea in December 2024. (Aviator Gregory Cole / Canadian Armed Forces)

The Canadian military is committing another warship to United States-led combat exercises in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Department of National Defence says HMCS Charlottetown and its embarked Cyclone helicopter will conduct anti-submarine warfare training alongside allies from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

The Halifax-class frigate was docked in Guam on Tuesday and is the third Canadian warship now deployed to the region after HMCS Ottawa and HMCS Regina departed Canada for exercises in Hawaii next month, alongside a Victoria-class submarine.

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Land-based Canadian Armed Forces personnel will also participate in the latest exercise, known as Valiant Shield, from bases in Guam, Hawaii and Japan, according to a statement Monday from National Defence.

The exercise “will enhance proficiency to detect, track and engage threats across sea, air, land, and cyberspace, while contributing to planning and co-ordination efforts that strengthen interoperability and partnerships,” the statement said.

Air force members from 2 Wing Bagotville will join the exercise in Guam for multinational airfield damage repair training.

“This training will enhance and validate their ability to rapidly assess damage and restore critical airfield infrastructure, enabling the timely resumption of air operations in expeditionary and contingency environments,” National Defence said.

“This training strengthens operational resilience, sustainment of airpower and interoperability with allied and partner forces.”

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This year marks the 11th iteration of Valiant Shield, which began in 2006 as a U.S.-only exercise. Canada has only participated once before, in 2024, when the exercise was first broadened to include other countries.

The exercise falls in the midst of HMCS Charlottetown’s six-month deployment under Operation Horizon, the military’s commitment to a persistent presence in the Indo-Pacific region.

As part of the larger operation, HMCS Charlottetown has spent the last several weeks monitoring vessel traffic near Japan to help enforce United Nations sanctions on North Korea.

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The commanding officer of HMCS Charlottetown says participating in Valiant Shield provides an opportunity for sailors and aviators to hone their skills in a complex multi-threat environment.

“I’m immensely proud of the crew and their work so far throughout our deployment on Operation Horizon,” Cmdr. Jonathan Maurice said in a statement. “They’ve demonstrated professionalism, skill, and teamwork that will be required to contribute to this multinational exercise.”

The exercise runs from June 22 to July 1 in and around the Mariana Islands, Hawaii and Guam, with the at-sea portion centred on the U.S. Navy’s Mariana Islands Range Complex.