Construction of fourth AOPS begins
Irving Shipbuilding has begun construction of the fourth Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS), the future HMCS William Hall, for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).
This is the fourth of six Harry DeWolf-class ships being built at the Halifax Shipyard in Canada for the RCN. The vessels have been designed to patrol Canada’s waters and northernmost regions. They will be used for a variety of missions including coastal surveillance, SAR, drug interdiction, support to international partners, humanitarian aid and disaster relief.
The construction of the fifth ship will begin later in 2019. The first vessel of this class is slated to join the RCN’s fleet in summer 2019 and AOPS 4 is expected to follow in 2022.
Work is also being carried out to complete the Nanisivik Naval Facility, which will support operations of the new AOPS and other government maritime vessels.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![FNSS looks to put uncrewed vehicles at the front of amphibious assaults]()
FNSS looks to put uncrewed vehicles at the front of amphibious assaults
The new platform is designed to put reconnaissance, obstacle clearance and fire support ahead of the crewed force in a contested landing.
-
![US turns to allies to tackle navy shipbuilding backlog]()
US turns to allies to tackle navy shipbuilding backlog
A White House memorandum acknowledges US Navy shipbuilding backlogs and a weakened industrial base, opening a formal path for South Korean and Japanese yards to help rebuild capacity.
-
![US Navy’s $275 billion BBGN plan hinges on shipyard transformation]()
US Navy’s $275 billion BBGN plan hinges on shipyard transformation
The US Navy’s planned nuclear-powered warship carries a US$275 billion price tag, but the greater story lies in the industrial overhaul needed to build it, from AI-enabled design to digital twins and modular construction.
