This 2020 assessment expected Canada to complain about cost and absorb difficult cuts but still build its planned Type 26 force. Climate-driven change was opening a northern route and increasing the need to protect a vast area with little population. Harry DeWolf-class patrol ships offered valuable Arctic presence, yet they could not replace the combat and anti-submarine capabilities of a frigate. Surface ships provide the mobile presence a state needs where settlements and land infrastructure cannot cover the maritime approaches.
Notable Point · 2:39:14-2:40:17
Why Canada still needed major Arctic surface combatants
In this 2020 assessment, an opening northern route and stronger Arctic competition made patrol ships useful but insufficient without Type 26 frigates.