RAN frigate HMAS Perth visits Canadian Naval Base

The warship operated by Royal Australian Navy (RAN), HMAS Perth visited the Canadian naval base CFB Esquimalt last week.

The RAN officials said that the trip was intended to further strengthen the close military ties prevailing between the two nations. Some of the Australian seamen from the warship also took part in the annual Esquimalt Victoria Day Parade, held on May 21st.

The RAN and the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) are involved in mutual cooperation for the last several decades, starting from the World War 2 period. The navies frequently take part in joint military drills and training manoeuvres. Both the RAN and the RCN took part in the Korean War, which happened a few years after the WW2 and are the regular participants in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), the world’s largest multi-national maritime exercise.

Captain Malcolm K. M. Wise, who commanded the HMAS Perth on its voyage to the Canadian port, praised the latest diplomatic effort by the RAN by saying that visits like the one which is ongoing, can definitely help the RAN to further solidify its relations with the RCN. He recalled his time as a young officer many decades ago, when he trained with the RCN. 22 years ago, Capt. Wise was awarded the Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate (BWC) in HMCS Qu’Appelle by the RCN.

During the visit, the Australian warship demonstrated its advanced features such as the locally developed S-band CEAFAR multifunction radar and the X-band CEAMOUNT Missile Control Illuminator. The radar system, which was recently fitted in to the warship after an upgrade, is capable of tracking and intercepting multiple anti-ship missiles. It is also capable of guiding several ship-launched missiles simultaneously.

After the Canadian visit, the frigate will travel to the central Pacific to take part in the RIMPAC 2012 naval exercise. The HMAS Perth, which belongs to the Anzac class of frigates, was commissioned to the RAN in 2006. Having a length of 387 feet and displacement of 3,600 tonnes, the frigate is having a maximum speed of 27 knots. It is armed with RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, in addition to machine guns and torpedoes. The frigate also carries one Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk military helicopter onboard.