The Navy’s future fleet wish-list is only half the equation

Even if all of our warships were seaworthy, the RCN would be hard pressed to properly crew even half that number of ships.
The old HMCS Protecteur is towed out of Esquimalt Harbour in British Columbia in February 2016. The good news for fans and friends of the RCN is that a huge renewal of capability is on the drawing board, writes Scott Taylor.Photograph courtesy of Cpl. Stuart MacNeil/MARPAC Imaging Services
Opinion
BY SCOTT TAYLOR
April 27, 2026

OTTAWA—The Royal Canadian Navy is at a significant juncture at present, facing a critical shortfall of trained personnel as well as an aged-out fleet that is also lacking in numbers.

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