Image Credentials: A Coast Guard Cutter Kimball crewmember observes as the Royal Canadian Navy military vessel Harry DeWolf passes off the coast of Dutch Harbor, on Sept. 23, 2021. The mutually beneficial alliance between the two Arctic nations continues to contribute to maritime security in this increasingly critical region. By U.S. Coast Guard – https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6866493/us-coast-guard-kimball-royal-canadian-navy-crews-conduct-joint-exercise-near-dutch-harbor, Public Domain, (Wikipedia)
.jpg){kind=link}
By Staff Writer | Open Chronicle with Agencies
The Royal Canadian Navy is set to complete a major milestone in its fleet modernization program with the arrival of its sixth and final Harry DeWolf-class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS). On Saturday, August 9, the Navy held the official naming ceremony for the future HMCS Robert Hampton Gray at the Halifax shipyard, marking the culmination of a decade-long effort to strengthen Canada’s Arctic sovereignty and maritime patrol capabilities.
The ceremony brought together senior military leaders, government officials, diplomatic representatives, and family descendants of Lieutenant Robert Hampton Gray, the ship’s namesake. Gray, a Canadian pilot with the Naval Volunteer Reserve who served in the British Fleet Air Arm during World War II, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his heroic attack on the Japanese destroyer HIJMS Amakusa in 1945. He remains the only member of the Royal Canadian Navy to have received this distinction.
The ship’s sponsor, Jane Underwood, a descendant of Gray, performed the traditional christening ritual by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine against the bow, a naval tradition meant to bring good fortune to the vessel and its crew.
Congratulations to the crew of the future HMCS Robert Hampton Gray on a safe and successful Sea Trials. We look forward to delivering Canada’s sixth Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel to the @RoyalCanNavy later this summer. pic.twitter.com/x51KBv5Z5B
— Irving Shipbuilding (@IrvingShipbuild) August 6, 2025
A Modern Arctic Force
The Harry DeWolf-class, built under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy, represents a significant leap in the Navy’s ability to operate in northern and offshore waters. Each vessel displaces over 6,000 tons, measures 103.6 meters in length with a 19-meter beam, and carries a Polar Class 5 rating, enabling operations in first-year ice up to one meter thick.
Armaments include a BAE Mk 38 25mm gun and two .50 caliber Browning M2 machine guns, complemented by advanced navigation and surveillance systems. The ships also feature a flight deck and hangar capable of hosting medium helicopters such as the Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone, AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant, and Bell CH-146 Griffon, providing extended reach for search-and-rescue, patrol, and Arctic missions.
So far, the Navy has commissioned five ships of this class HMCS Harry DeWolf, HMCS Margaret Brooke, HMCS Max Bernays, HMCS William Hall, and HMCS Frédérick Rolette. The latter entered sea trials in August 2024.
Halifax Shipyard and Canadian Shipbuilding Legacy
The HMCS Robert Hampton Gray was launched on December 9, 2024, two months ahead of schedule, thanks to the efforts of over 2,400 Canadian shipyard workers. Its completion brings to a close the Royal Canadian Navy’s six-vessel Arctic patrol fleet, while also signaling the shipyard’s ongoing momentum. Halifax shipbuilders are currently producing two AOPS variants for the Canadian Coast Guard and have already begun construction of 15 River-class destroyers, the future backbone of Canada’s naval fleet.
For Canada, the completion of the Harry DeWolf-class represents not just an investment in Arctic security but also a reaffirmation of its naval heritage. By honoring Lieutenant Robert Hampton Gray, the Navy links its future capabilities with the valor of its past, ensuring that the legacy of service and sacrifice remains central to Canada’s defense identity.