The proposed Canadian force structure assigns a different role to the country's third coast. The Atlantic and Pacific would carry the main fleets and their LHD flagships. Arctic operations instead call for an even more strongly ice-capable development of the Harry DeWolf class. Adding surface-to-air missiles would give those ships more useful local combat power. The different force reflects the Arctic's access and hull-strength requirements rather than simply copying the two ocean fleets northward.
Notable Point · 55:05-55:30
A different naval answer for Canada's Arctic coast
Canada's Arctic coast calls for ice-strengthened patrol combatants with better air defence rather than the LHD flagships proposed for the Atlantic and Pacific.