The Big Boat is Coming Back (Canadian Warships)

National Post ^ | April 19,2004 | Chris Wattie

[Levante]

They will be the Canadian Forces' largest warships in more than three decades, they will cost $700-million apiece and they have the navy buzzing with anticipation.

Last week in a speech at CFB Gagetown in New Brunswick, Paul Martin, the Prime Minister, announced funding for three 28,000-tonne joint support ships, and they are nothing if not multi-purpose--capable of carrying troops and heavy equipment anywhere in the world, landing them with a flight of assault helicopters and turning into a floating hospital or headquarters to back up the army from offshore.

[Levante]

Sorry, just came across this article. Thought some FRpers would find it interesting. BTW, the article contains an old picture of the HMCS Bonaventure (nicknamed "Bonnie" by her crews). The caption is wrong: Canada operated five carriers. Two small British-owned escort carriers in WWII, with Canadian Navy crews, and the HMCS Magnificent, HMCS Warrior, and the Bonaventure.

[for-q-clinton]

This is just horrible! Canadians could have extended their health care system to include free medicine, and to think they actually want to spend money on protecting their country!

I'm shocked and deeply saddened they don't want another welfare program instead.
{/sarcasm}

[Shermy]

Canadians preparing for war with Denmark.

[goldstategop]

Paul Martin is running for election and he wants to dispel the impression the Liberals have been weak on national defense by creating a photo-op stunt.

[Plutarch]

The Big Boat is Coming Back...

Isn't it considered bad form to refer to a ship as a boat?

[Mike Darancette]

Canadians preparing for war with Denmark.

Over Greenland? LOL.

It's just Canada projecting it's worldwide hegemony.

[nothingnew]

What could they possibly want with an upgraded navy?

FMCDH

[Levante]

"Isn't it considered bad form to refer to a ship as a boat?"

Hi Plutarch:

Depends on whos doing it! English teachers and engineers hate refering to ships as "boats." However, in the Navy (US, UK,etc) we refer to ships as "boats" all the time.

Regards,
Levante

[ken5050]

The key point is why it takes till 2015 to build them..hell we build a nuclear carrier in less time..By then the war on terror should be over...also, I am far from an expert on naval matters, but I'd estimate that each of these ships will require a squadron of what, 5-7 escort /support/defense vessels..which would cost 4-5 times more than each of these ships..which Canada doesn't have....this is pure pie in the sky..like Boeing's new airplane..

[Levante]

"The key point is why it takes till 2015 to build them..."

That puzzles me too. In the article, a line says:
"Dr. Gimblett (an analyst) questions why it will take 11 years to build them. If the military had used off-the-shelf plans from similar Dutch, German or Portuguese ships, it could have saved up to $100 million and a number of years in delivery time."

A number of folks have asked me why Canada just doesn't purchase some older US mothballed warships, like the IWO JIMA class assault carriers. I do know that some countries like to design and build their own vessels, aircraft, etc, in order to develop and maintain their indigenous yards and industries.

What I find galling about the article is that it states that the ships will be able to "handle up to four of the promised new maritime helicopters, which will replace the antique Sea Kings at about the same time as the new ships come into service." If this line is accurate, it means the CF will have to wait another 11 years to replace the currently 40 year old junk Sea Kings. Sounds ridiculous!

[wagglebee]

Damn right! This means more Canadians will have to work.

[ken5050]

They're probably waiting for the new Alouette design...

[cynicom]

One could read into this that the Canucks will leave the "fighting" to OTHERS?????

[DoughtyOne]

Canida is basicly Europe II, to my way of thinking. Just who is Canada kidding here? By 2015 Canada will be so far gone that it couldn't possibly sign on to use those ships against anyone, unless it what the great Satan, the U.S.

What a colossal waste of funding, and a mixed message of massive proportions.

In addition to Tom Daschel, Europe must be deeply saddened.

[bikerman]

takes longer for the cement to harden.

[tophat9000]

It's just Canada projecting it's worldwide hegemony

Donuts and back bacon for everyone!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Maybe she'll sail the Great Lakes.

[Mike Darancette]

Donuts and back bacon for everyone!

Not sure our Muslim brothers will appreciate the back bacon.

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

They will be the Canadian Forces' largest warships in more than three decades, they will cost $700-million apiece and they have the navy buzzing with anticipation.

With all the advances in same sex marriage north of the border, perhaps the Canadians will call the new ship, "The Raging Queen." Saturday Night Live did a great skit on this theme about twenty years ago when the show was in its prime. Those were the days when fags were funny.

[Sam the Sham]

These sound like humanitarian intervention ships.