Don't be alarmed if you see warships off Vancouver Island, says Canadian navy

2 month_ago 24

British Columbia

The pacific part of Canadian Armed Forces is moving subject exercises astir Vancouver Island from June 16 to 29, with information from the United States and Mexico. Warships, craft and a submarine volition beryllium operating disconnected the southbound Island and westbound of Tofino.

American and Mexican ships volition articulation Canadian Armed Forces successful associated workout June 16 to 29

CBC News

· Posted: Jun 16, 2025 7:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: June 16

A naval frigate successful sits successful the Halifax harbour arsenic a subject chopper approaches.

More than 1,000 armed forces members volition beryllium conducting subject exercises disconnected Vancouver Island implicit the adjacent fewer weeks, utilizing warships, aircraft, and a submarine.

The associated exercise, called Trident Fury, is being led by the Pacific fleet of the Canadian Armed Forces, with information from some the United States and Mexico.

Navy Capt. Sam Patchell, lawman fleet commandant of Canadian Forces Fleet Pacific, told CBC News it's astir preparing for worst-case scenarios.

While helium couldn't springiness a circumstantial example, helium said they program by taking scenarios from the existent world: for instance, the accrued usage of drones successful conflicts similar the Russia-Ukraine war.

A subject chopper flying implicit the water launches flares.

"The usage of uncrewed systems [drones] is truly an emerging threat, and 1 we request to hole ourselves for," Patchell said.

Trident Fury is an workout they've already done before, but helium said determination is simply a displacement present to some practicing utilizing drones and defending against them.

Planning has been underway for implicit a twelvemonth and, Patchell said, even arsenic U.S. President Donald Trump began referring to Canada arsenic the 51st state, determination was nary alteration successful the discussions with allies.

"The United States has ever been invited, and we're rather excited that they're sending 1 of their destroyers…as good arsenic 1 of the Coast Guard cutters," Patchell said.

Four naval vessels with American flags cruise done the ocean.

While locals whitethorn spot much subject craft, helium said they don't request to interest astir getting successful the mode of subject manoeuvres — which volition hap further offshore.

Military trade volition mostly beryllium spotted disconnected Cattle Point and Clover Point, successful Oak Bay and Victoria respectively, arsenic good arsenic connected the skyline westbound of Tofino.

The exercises volition tally betwixt June 16 and June 29, though vessels began arriving successful the country connected June 13.

With files from Kathryn Marlow and Emily Fagan

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