Question Period Note: Indo-Pacific Strategy – Upcoming Deployments

How is the Government upholding its defence commitments under the Indo-Pacific Strategy?

• As reflected in our Indo-Pacific Strategy and Our North, Strong and Free, Canada is standing up for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, as this is vital for our future stability and prosperity.
• That is why, earlier this week, I announced the departure of Royal Canadian Navy vessels in support of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) in the coming days.
• This exercise builds on our existing commitments outlined in the Indo-Pacific Strategy and provides an opportunity for our sailors to operate alongside key Indo-Pacific allies and partners.
• Following the exercise, HMCS Vancouver will deploy to the Indo-Pacific in support of Operations HORIZON and NEON.
• Through Op HORIZON, we are strengthening our relationships with regional partners, including by annually deploying an additional warship to the region, increasing participation in international exercises, and a security cooperation program.
• Op NEON is Canada’s contribution to a coordinated multinational effort to support the implementation of United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea.
• Additionally, National Defence has launched a range of capacity building initiatives to help our partners strengthen resilience and interoperability, including dedicated training on Women, Peace, and Security.

Further details on deploying additional Royal Canadian Navy vessels:

• In the coming days, HMCS Vancouver will depart from Esquimalt for Hawaii to take part in Exercise RIMPAC 2024, before proceeding to Op HORIZON in the Indo-Pacific.
• HMCS Vancouver will be joined on RIMPAC 2024 by HMCS Max Bernays, Motor Vessel Asterix and a shore-based contingent of approximately 300 Canadian Armed Forces members.
• This year, the maritime component of the exercise will be led by a Canadian Commodore.
• HMCS Vancouver is the second Canadian frigate deployed to the region in 2024, with HMCS Montreal currently deployed and HMCS Ottawa expected to follow in the fall.
• This is the second year the Royal Canadian Navy is deploying three warships to the region, building defence partnerships with regional allies and partners and promoting peace, resilience, and security in the Indo-Pacific.
• In May, the CAF also deployed a CP-140 Aurora, long-range patrol aircraft to Japan under Op NEON.
• HMCS Vancouver will also participate in Op NEON in the coming months, monitoring United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea in collaboration with allies and partners.
• Canada collaborates with partners through Canada’s Military Training and Cooperation Program.

Upcoming Deployments:

• August 2024: HMCS Vancouver to deploy to the region under Op HORIZON.
• Forward Naval Operations Serial 2 (August to November 2024): This will include port visits throughout the region and joint sails with allied and partner nations. The keystone activities will be participation in Ex KAKADU with Australia, SAMA SAMA with the Philippines, and KEEN SWORD with Japan.
• Forward Naval Operations Serial 3 (November 2024 to February 2025): This will include port visits throughout the region and joint sails with allied and partner nations. The keystone activity will be participation in Ex KEEN SWORD with Japan.
• Participation in Australia’s Op RENDER SAFE in the Summer (Solomon Islands) and Fall (Tuvalu) of 2024.

Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC):

• RIMPAC is the largest joint and combined maritime exercise in the world, allowing partners and allied navies to practice working and fighting together.
• This biennial exercise provides invaluable training and development opportunities for the Royal Canadian Navy.
• In 2024, the exercise is scheduled to take place from June 26 – August 2, in and around the Hawaiian Islands.

CAF Operations in the Indo-Pacific:

• May – August 2024: HMCS Montreal is deployed to the region in support of Op HORIZON.
• Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) will also participate in or observe multilateral exercises such as BALIKATAN observed (Philippines), MARARA (France [French Polynesia]), and TEMPEST EXPRESS (Mongolia).
  • Exercise BALIKATAN is a joint exercise to enhance Command and Control skills and tactical interoperability, along with humanitarian civil assistance.
  • Exercise MARARA is a joint exercise to enhance operational level headquarters and deepen cooperation within a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief environment.
  • Exercise TEMPEST EXPRESS is a crisis response exercise to develop a cadre of military planners for employment in multinational headquarters.
• Spring 2024: A CP-140 Aurora deployed to Op NEON.
• Fall 2023: A second CP-140 Aurora, as well as HMCS Vancouver, deployed in support of Op NEON.
• August 2023: HMCS Ottawa and Vancouver, along with MV Asterix, deployed to the Indo-Pacific region in support of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. on August 14, 2023. HMCS Ottawa focussed on Southeast Asia, while HMCS Vancouver focussed on Northeast Asia.
• Spring 2023: A CP-140 Aurora was deployed on Op NEON.
• March 2023: HMCS Montreal and MV Asterix departed Halifax to conduct forward naval presence operations in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as conduct cooperative deployments and participate in international naval exercises with partner nations.

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