Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 44:57-46:28

A balanced Canadian combatant inside a much larger fleet

The Canadian Surface Combatant is balanced, and Canada would gain more from fleet depth, escorts, and LHD flagships than from redesigning that ship.

Amphibious WarfareCanadian Surface CombatantForce StructureLHDNaval PersonnelNaval ProcurementReadinessRoyal Canadian NavyType 31 Frigate
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Question

What changes would you make to the Canadian Surface Combatant and the fleet built around it?

Short answer

Keep the balanced combatant, but add far more escorts and multiple LHD flagships to create depth on both main coasts.

Notes

The Canadian Surface Combatant is reasonably balanced for the jobs Canada asks it to perform. A deeper fleet around the class would add more than a larger hull or different gun. The idealized force includes roughly sixteen major escorts, a similar number of Type 31-like ships, and LHD flagships divided between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Multiple LHDs would improve availability for command, aviation, and amphibious work rather than leaving the capability dependent on one ship. Such a fleet demands far more people and political commitment than Canada is likely to provide.