The Royal Canadian Navy’s sixth and final Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS), the future HMCS Robert Hampton Gray, was launched today, December 9, 2024, at Halifax Shipyard.
The launch of the final Harry DeWolf-class AOPS for the Royal Canadian Navy marks a significant milestone for Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) and the revitalization of the Royal Canadian Navy’s combatant fleet.
Over two months ahead of schedule, the 103-metre vessel transitioned from Halifax Shipyard’s land level facility to a submersible barge on December 6 and launched in the Bedford Basin today.
The future HMCS Robert Hampton Gray, constructed by over 2,400 shipbuilders, is now pier side at Halifax Shipyard where work continues in preparation for sea trials and handover to the Royal Canadian Navy in August 2025.
Halifax Shipyard continues to build two AOPS variants for the Canadian Coast Guard, the future CCG Ships Donjek and Sermilik, with work progressing as planned.
After starting construction on the River-class destroyer production test module in June 2024, Halifax Shipyard will begin full rate production of the River-class destroyers in April 2025.
A generation of shipbuilders will deliver six AOPS for the Royal Canadian Navy, two AOPS for the Canadian Coast Guard, and 15 River-class destroyers for the Royal Canadian Navy as part of the NSS.