Esquimalt-based HMCS Regina returns after becoming Canada’s first West Coast frigate to cross Arctic Circle
· CHEKThe Esquimalt-based HMCS Regina returned to its home port on Thursday after completing an “Arctic awareness and sovereignty mission.”
The mission included monitoring the Arctic entrances to North America, and to help maintain international maritime law, according to the Department of National Defence (DND).
During its deployment, HMCS Regina sailed up to the 69th parallel north, making it the first West Coast frigate in Canada to cross the Arctic Circle, according to the DND.
“The crew of HMCS Regina have continuously displayed their professionalism at sea on this mission,” said Rear-Admiral Christopher Robinson, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific and Joint Task Force Pacific, in a statement.
“While deployed, the ship maintained a strong military presence through the Bering Strait to increase safety and security in the region,” he said. “I would like to congratulate the crew on a successful deployment and thank you for your hard work and dedication to this mission.”
SEE ALSO: Western Canada’s first Arctic navy vessel coming to CFB Esquimalt
Canadian defence spending
Canada has recently come under fire for not meeting its NATO defence spending targets.
At a recent NATO summit this summer, Canada was the only country to arrive without a plan to spend at least two per cent of the country’s gross domestic product on defence, a budget total agreed upon by all NATO countries.
Canada currently spends about 1.3 per cent of its GDP on defence.
But, just before the three-day summit was set to wrap up, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the country’s timeline for reaching that spending target, with a plan to spent about $60 billion a year on defence starting in 2032, based on projections that Canada’s GDP will be a little bit north of $3 trillion that year.
Defence Minister Bill Blair didn’t provide specifics on how the federal government plans to spend the money, but said there were plans to shore up ground-based air defences, as well as acquiring a new surveillance and strike drones, and the procurement of up to 12 conventionally powered submarines that can operate under ice.
With files from The Canadian Press