NAC News – Edition 625 (HMCS Venture (4th) )
Your weekly national and international naval news for the week of July 11, 2025
Edition: 625 HMCS Venture (4th) Quote: “The failure of Western idealism is the root cause of where Canada and the EU find themselves today. Former Prime Minister Trudeau epitomized this idealistic blindness. His government’s foreign policy emphasized feminist foreign policy, progressive cultural issues, decolonization efforts, climate action, and multilateral engagement—some of which were worthy goals in a stable world, but inadequate responses to authoritarian aggression. Like many European leaders, Trudeau failed to grasp that international politics had reverted to its historical norm, a competition for comprehensive power where comprehensive power, including military capabilities, remains the basis for pursuing national interests.” CDAI Opinion: NATO’s 5% Reality Check: “Why Canada’s Defence Free-Riding Must End”, Stephen Nagy, 2 July 2025. (Editor – agree, or not, the full Opinion is linked in the Canada section)
Rod Hughes: Editor NAC News rhughes@shaw.ca (Comments welcome to help improve this service.) Links to keep in touch with the NAC and RCN can be found at the bottom of this email. Contact executivedirector@navalassoc.ca if you wish someone to be added to the NAC News email distribution. (Influencer, or good candidates to become a NAC member – note, the first year’s NAC/Branch membership dues are waived)
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NOTICES
Editor – Next week’s NAC News Edition 626 will be delayed until Saturday 19 July.
26–27 September 2025 The Canadian Maritime Security Network (CMSN) will host a conference on the future Canadian Seapower 2025. Venue – University of Calgary. Today, Canada faces a more complex and dangerous security landscape than at any time since the Second World War. The country is at an inflection point, facing two great power competitors, a complicated ecosystem of malign non-state actors, persistent pressures eroding the rules based international order, and an uncertain partnership with the U.S. To register.
UPDATED 21–22 October 2025 ABCMI’s Business Opportunities Conference & Trade Show at the Vancouver Convention Centre, this flagship event brings together leading companies from across Canada in the marine and defence sectors. See the website for our draft Programme and list of Exhibitors. Tickets are selling quickly; exhibit spaces are sold out.
NEW 4 November 2025 7.30 – 18.30 Ottawa time Deep Blue Forum 6th Annual Conference. Theme: The Future of the Submarine Enterprise – People Harnessing Technology, in a System of Systems. The National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa Super Early Bird Registration is Open!
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THIS WEEK’S SIGNIFICANT ARTICLES
CDAI: NATO agreed to 5% but is the public on board? (Editor – opinion paper)
More soldiers, more money. Canada’s top soldier extols benefits of spending boost
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CANADA
Les Navires CSM Edmonton et Yellowknife partent pour une mission de lutte contre les mines de l’OTAN en Europe & HMC Ships Edmonton and Yellowknife Depart for NATO Mine Countermeasures Mission in Europe
CDAI: NATO’s 5% Reality Check: Why Canada’s Defence Free-Riding Must End
CDAI: True North Strong? A Citizen’s Guide to National Defence (Editor – 58:49 min podcast)
CDAI: What Rearm Europe Means for Canadian and Transatlantic Defence in the Age of Trumpism (Editor- 51:25 min podcast)
Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee: Defending Canada At Home And Abroad | The Herle Burly (Editor – 55:56 min video)
Canadian Armed Forces: Return to Readiness or Past the point of no Return? (Editor – Esprit de Corps 5:02 min video)
CGAI: Shipyards, Strategy, and Sovereignty (Editor – 57:51 min podcast)
CMSN: Northwest Passages – Navigating the Canadian Arctic from Gjoa to Harry DeWolf
HMCS Nanaimo makes final Harbour City stop before minesweeping mission in Baltic Sea
Davie Acquires Finnish Steel Firm to Boost Icebreaker Production
Transport committee will study B.C. Ferries receiving $1B loan for Chinese ships
How Canada could reinvent itself as a major LNG player (Editor – 6:27 min video)
BC Ferries CEO, two MPs to testify in federal review of $1B loan for Chinese-built vessels
Net loss: Factory trawlers have massive impact off coast of B.C., investigation finds
Salvage Operations Progress on Grounded MSC Baltic III
NAC Naval Affairs Naval Interoperability (Editor – NAC Naval Affairs Papers, Briefing Notes, Niobe Papers, and much more. Please share with anyone you think may benefit from the knowledge, after all, that’s what our naval affairs programme is all about – enlightening Canadians)
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USA & AMERICA
USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: July 7, 2025
Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Saves 165 Lives in Texas Flood Disaster as Death Toll Climbs (Editor – now this guy is a hero!)
A Fundamentally NEW Type Of Narco Submarine Changes Everything (Editor – first-rate summary in a 11:27 min video)
US Navy backs right to repair after $13B carrier crew left half-fed by contractor-locked ovens
Carrier John F. Kennedy Delivery Delayed 2 Years, Fleet Will Drop to 10 Carriers For 1 Year
Big Deck Amphibs Bougainville, Fallujah Delayed, Budget Docs Say
U.S. Navy Sets Sights on Fleet-Wide Anti-Torpedo Weapon Rollout in Coming Years
Project Revolver: The U.S. Navy’s Concept for Multi-Packed Torpedoes in the Indo-Pacific
Textron to Provide Additional LCAC 100 Hovercraft to US Navy
Changes in the Arctic: – Background and Issues for Congress Updated July 2, 2025
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INDO-PACIFIC
Quantum clocks deliver navigation accuracy far beyond current GPS systems in naval tests (Editor – potential game changer!)
China Approves Merger of CSSC and CSIC to Create World’s Largest Shipbuilder
Breaking News: Japan transfers six Abukuma-class destroyers to boost Philippine Navy against China
Hindustan shipyard limited delivers first indigenous diving support vessel ‘Nistar’
New Information On China’s Mysterious Ekranoplan (Editor – strange vehicles in a 14:01 min video)
L&T to spearhead two nuclear-powered attack submarines development under project-77
Lockheed delivers first SPY-7 radar antennas to Japan (Editor – same radar as HMCS Fraser Class)
How British F-35 fighter jet might be dismantled, parcelled to UK from Kerala hence Stranded Royal Navy F-35B moved into hangar as UK engineers arrive in India
First of second batch of indigenous stealth missile corvettes launched: Source
Indian Navy Set to Acquire 6 Additional P-8I Neptune Maritime Patrol Aircraft
Japan Orders Over a Dozen HII REMUS 300 Underwater Vehicles
Indian pact bolsters undersea surveillance
ANAO report into sustainment of Canberra Class LHDs
India Seeks $1.1 Billion Reparation After MSC Fuel Spill in May
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EUROPE
Ukraine:
Ukraine’s Uncrewed Surface Vessels Are Now Launching Bomber Drones To Attack Crimea
Black Sea showdown: Inside Ukraine’s naval patrols (Editor – The Telegraph 4:42 min video)
Latest Sea Breeze Exercise Focuses on Mines in the Black Sea
MASTERS of Drone War – Even US Can’t Believe What Ukraine is Doing (Editor – 20:40 min video) with The deadly new weapon in the Ukraine war (Editor – The Economist 1:00 min video)
Baltic:
Belgium Hands Over Command of NATO Mine Countermeasures Group to Latvia
Saab scores order for 22 combat boats
Unmanned Saildrones Track Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ During NATO Baltic Sea Operations
General:
St. Petersburg Naval Parade Canceled Over Security Concerns – Fontanka
Strained by War, the Russian Navy is a Shadow of its Former Self
The struggle for control of the Arctic is accelerating – and riskier than ever (Editor – excellent article)
Russia Is Building Its Arctic Fortress in This Narrow Bay | WSJ Coordinates (Editor – shades of the Cold War in a 6:47 min video)
Royal Navy underscores national security as warships shadow five Russian vessels in UK waters
Inside Operation Piano – the multi-agency mission to capture Ireland’s biggest cocaine seizure. (Editor – 12:04 min video) and the result Cartel Crew Sentenced to Prison Over Ireland’s Largest-Ever Drug Bust
UK and France agree to coordinate nuclear deterrents in landmark pact
Italy Signs New U212 NFS Submarine Contract Amendment to Strengthen Strategic Undersea Capabilities
Norway kicks out Norebo and Murman Seafood in fear of intelligence gathering
Onboard the world’s most advanced anti-submarine frigate
Historic First – U.S. Nuclear-Powered Submarine Conducts Port Visit in Iceland
French Navy’s third Barracuda-class submarine enters service
DragonFire laser weapon fired over 300 shots in recent test
Royal Navy hunter-killer submarine completes first historic phase of front-line career
Update of the third type 26 frigate construction process, HMS Belfast (Editor – 2:09 min video)
Britain’s new robotic mine sweepers enter service
Low Water Levels On Danube Disrupt Shipping As Heatwave Hits Hungary
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MIDDLE EAST
Red Sea:
IMO Chief Calls for Urgent Diplomatic Action as Deadly Red Sea Attacks Resume After Months of Calm
Germany Accuses China of Laser Targeting Aircraft in EU’s Red Sea Mission
Israel launches strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen and Israel Attacks Three Yemeni Ports And Power Plant
Fire Reported After Vessel Comes Under Attack in Red Sea then Crew Rescued In Red Sea After Attack On Ship Near Yemen and Red Sea Crisis Boils Over as Houthis Claim Sinking of M/V Magic Seas; Galaxy Leader Struck (Editor – it appears sadly that last week that I spoke too soon) Magic Seas Goes Down in the Red Sea | 2nd Bulk Carrier – Eternity C – Struck While Carrying Food Aid (Editor – details in a 16:50 min video) and Four Crew Killed in Attack on M/V Eternity C as Houthis Renew Red Sea Assaults
Op Atalanta to the rescue after bulk carrier attack off Yemen
Indian Seafarers Freed After Months of Detention at Yemen’s Ras Isa Port
General:
Kuwaiti Coast Guard deploys Ocean Infinity’s NeedleFish USV
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GLOBAL INTERESTS
Explosive Device Likely Damaged Greek Tanker Off Libya Last Week
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SCUTTLEBUTT
The Mariner’s Mirror: Sir John Ross’s Arctic Exploration Ships (Editor – 41 min podcast)
HMS Prince of Wales sailors remember WW2 tragedy as flagship passes battlefield site
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THIS WEEK IN RCN/MARITIME HISTORY
13 July 1942 The Canadian government announces that three merchant ships had been sunk by U-boats in the St. Lawrence River.
14 July 1910 Born in Farnham Bucks, UK his family made their home Halifax, Nova Scotia. Subsequently Commodore (L) John, Deane, MID joined the RN as Electrical Lieutenant, RNVR in 1939. Transferred to RCNVR in 1943 as LCdr and became Officer-in-Charge of the RCN Barracks and Officer-in-Charge Electrical Section Torpedo School Halifax. Promoted Cdr 1943 and transferred to RCN. Naval Service HQ as Director Electrical Personnel in 1945. To HMCS Ontario in 1948 as Senior Electrical Officer. In 1950, to Stadacona on staff (Electrical Branch) of Flag Officer Atlantic Coast as Command Electrical Officer Halifax and Officer-in-Charge of Electrical School Halifax. Promoted Captain in 1953 and became Assistant Chief Naval Technical Services (Ships) in 1954. Promoted Commodore (L) and made Commodore Superintendent Pacific Coast and Superintendent HMC Dockyard Esquimalt in 1958. To Bytown on Staff of Chief of Naval Technical Services as Deputy Chief of Naval Technical Services in 1961. Vice-president of Maritime Museum of British Columbia in 1958. Retired 1965 and died at White Rock 1 November 1991.
15 July 1920 RNCVR is disbanded.
15 July 1958 The first review of the Royal Fleet ever held in Canadian waters takes place under the eyes of Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret off the coast of Vancouver Island at Royal Roads.
16 July 1914 First RNCVR seaman taken to sea in HMCS Rainbow to augment the RCN crew for a Bering Sea Fur Patrol; but diverted to assist her participation in the ‘Kamagata Maru Incident’ at Vancouver.
16 July 1945 The first atomic bomb is detonated in New Mexico. Canada’s contributions to the successful detonation of the atomic bomb, were threefold. The first was the Montreal Laboratory. The second, Canada’s reserves of uranium. The third, individual Canadians in the research field and those who directly worked with Oppenheimer.
17 July 1940 HMCS Skeena rescues 64 crewmembers of a torpedoed merchant ship, the SS Manipor, in the waters north of Scotland.
17 July 1944 Convoy HX 300 was the 300th of the numbered series of World War II HX convoys of merchant ships from Halifax to Liverpool. The 166 merchant ships arranged in 19 parallel columns to produce a formation approximately 9 miles (14 km) wide and 4 miles (6.4 km) long. Ships sailing from New York City on 17 July 1944 were joined by 30 merchant ships sailing from Halifax Harbour on 19 July, 24 sailing from Sydney, Nova Scotia on 20 July, and 3 from St. John’s, NFLD to form the largest trade convoy of the war. The cargoes included 84,000 tons of grain, 88,000 tons of sugar, 37,000 tons of molasses, 35,000 tons of lumber, 307,000 tons of oil, 37,000 tons of iron/steel, 300,000 tons of vehicles, tanks, and other military equipment. Canadian corvettes formed the bulk of the escorts HMC Ships Dauphin, Wetaskiwin, New Westminster, Hespeler, Algoma and Long Branch along with the frigate Dunver. Other ships involved in the early transit of the convoy included HMC Ships Chicoutimi, Kamsack, The Pas, Arvida, Pictou, Lethbridge and Rosthern. HX 300 was one of six hundred World War II trade convoys from North America to the British Isles.
17 July 1944 LCdr (RN) Roy Sydney Baker-Falkner DSO DSC, a Canadian born Fleet Air Arm pilot led the Fleet Air Arm attack on the largely repaired Tirpitz in Operation Mascot. He went missing during the action and is listed as Killed in Action.
19 July 1943 HMCS Huron (Destroyer) is commissioned at Newcastle on the Tyne, England.
SIGNIFICANT RCN DATES – If you see any omissions or errors please inform me, and any more modern significant dates are also welcomed. The list draws primarily from the Directory of History and Heritage’s comprehensive “Significant Dates in Canadian Military History”, the now defunct “Canada Channel”, “Legion Magazine”, The Naval Service of Canada, Its Official History Vol 1-3, NAC member Roger Litwiller’s excellent web site, encyclopedic guidance from NAC member Fraser McKee, the Uboat.net site, and anywhere else I can find credible information. For the merchant ship history, a special thanks to NAC member Bill Dziadyk for his able assistance and detailed work. The RCN lost 1,965 men and 24 ships during the War, most of them in the Atlantic. A comprehensive list of the staggering merchant losses – sunk, damaged, or lost – Canadian Merchant Ship Losses of the Second World War, 1939-1945 by Rob Fisher {Revised June 2001}, and for the loss of individual personnel RCN Ship Histories, Convoy Escort Movements, Casualty Lists 1939-1947)
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