Canada deploys ships to enhance NATO readiness in Baltic region

Brendan TaylorJune 27, 2022 6:51 am

According to the Defence Ministry, two Canadian ships have left for a four-month deployment in the Baltic Sea and North Atlantic region as part of Operation Reassurance to improve NATO readiness.

The Ministry of Defence stated in a statement that HMCS Kingston and Summerside are deployed to contribute to NATO assurance and deterrence measures in Central and Eastern Europe, and that the Canadian Armed Forces have maintained a persistent rotational presence in European waters since 2014, according to Xinhua news agency.

HMCS Kingston and Summerside will join Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One between July and October 2022, according to the statement.

During Operation Reassurance, the ships will contribute to NATO’s high readiness at sea, allowing it to respond quickly and effectively to any military alliance’s operations.

The HMCS Halifax and Montreal will return to Canada in July as part of Operation Reassurance.

This will be both ships’ first deployment on Operation Reassurance.

According to the statement, HMCS Summerside will deploy with an embarked Royal Canadian Navy clearance diving team, supported by mine countermeasure search capabilities using autonomous underwater vehicles aboard HMCS Kingston.