The Harry DeWolf-class patrol ships are described as useful Arctic constabulary platforms whose light armament leaves them exposed. A modest missile or gun upgrade would not militarize the Arctic or convert the ships into full combatants. Its purpose would be to force an attacker to commit an unmistakable force rather than claim that a single aircraft or crew acted independently. That raises both the operational and political threshold for aggression when American intelligence and backing can no longer be assumed.
Notable Point · 19:09-22:35
Raising the threshold for attacks in the Canadian Arctic
Light air-defence upgrades to Canada's Arctic patrol ships are presented as a way to prevent deniable, low-cost attacks rather than turn them into frigates.