NAC News – Edition 638 HMCS Discovery
Your weekly national and international naval news for the week of October 10, 2025
Edition 638 HMCS Discovery Quote: “Earlier this year, five former defense secretaries — including retired Gen. Jim Mattis, Trump’s first defense secretary — condemned the firings as “reckless.” Their joint letter, addressed to Congress, asked that the House and the Senate hold “immediate hearings to assess the national security implications” of the dismissals. Hegseth and the administration appear to have ignored the concerns; the purge is ongoing; and GOP leaders on Capitol Hill have scheduled no such hearings.
Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, who served as a Marine officer in Iraq and who now serves on the House Armed Services Committee, spoke to Politico about Hegseth’s purges, which the congressman described as politically motivated. “That’s a recipe not just for a politicized military, but an authoritarian military,” Moulton said. “That’s the way militaries work in Russia and China and North Korea.” The Massachusetts Democrat made those comments in May. The problem is worse now.” Pete Hegseth fires yet another military leader as the Pentagon purge intensifies, Steve Benen, MSNBC, 6 October 2025 (Editor – article link in USA & Americas section)
Rod Hughes: Editor NAC News rhughes@shaw.ca (Comments welcome to help improve this service.) The content of this bulletin includes articles from entities not subject to the Official Languages Act. Consequently, these articles may be provided by the institution in only one official language, including the links, and we do not have the copyright to modify or translate them. Links to keep in touch with the NAC and RCN can be found at the bottom of this email. Contact naccoordinator@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)
NOTICES
UPDATED 15 October 2025 (8:00 – 2:15 Halifax time) Chief Heads of Navy – Alliances and Partnerships in Shifting Geopolitical Landscapes, to be held at Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Loyola Academic Complex 290. The Canadian Maritime Security Network is pleased to partner with the RCN to welcome the Chief of Heads of Navy of Germany, New Zealand, Norway, and Pakistan to Saint Mary’s University for a public event. VAdm Angus Topshee will provide a Keynote followed by two panels of the Chiefs of Heads of Navy. This event will focus on the challenges posed by rapidly shifting geopolitics and the growing importance of strengthening global partnerships. For more information email: rdean@stfx.ca
16 October 2025 CDAI: National Marine Workforce Development Conference (9:00-17:00 local) at the George Brown Waterfront Campus in Toronto, ON. The Conference will be followed by a reception aboard the HMCS Margaret Brooke which will be docked at Sugar Beach. The National Marine Workforce Development Conference is designed to address the critical workforce shortage in Canada’s marine sector. Through a dynamic format that includes plenary sessions, interactive breakout discussions, and networking opportunities, participants will have the chance to actively engage with leaders from government, industry, and education.
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.
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 Today is the last day that the Super Early Bird Registration is Open! Contact The ticket discount code for NAC members is DB25_NAC Keynote Speaker, Paula Folkes – Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Defence and Marine Procurement.
25 November 2025 CMSN: Northern Maritime Security – Threats In, To, and Through the Arctic and North Atlantic. Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa. Conference program coming soon
24 February 2026 ShipTech Forum 2026, The National Arts Centre. 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa, ON K1P 5W1 (Editor – NAC helps sponsor this event) Super Early Bird Registration is Open!
NEW 13-15 May 2026 NIBC 2026 Conference – Maritime Arctic Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour hotel, Victoria BC. (Editor – NAC-VI helps sponsor this event)
15 May 2026 HMCS Sackville – Re-commissioning. Details to follow!
THIS WEEK’S SIGNIFICANT ARTICLES
Bollinger-Led International Team to Build Six Arctic Security Cutters for U.S. Coast Guard (Editor – note Canada’s participation) with Trumps Inks Deal for American and Finnish Yards to Deliver First Arctic Security Cutters by 2028 and then U.S. Coast Guard to Acquire 11 Icebreakers in Landmark U.S.-Finland Pact more U.S. Turns to Finnish Expertise to Jump-Start Icebreaker Production
Denmark Reports Repeated Russian Naval Provocations in its Straits and Denmark Tightens Oversight of Shadow Fleet Tankers in Strategic Baltic Gateway
CANADA
Submarine returns home to Vancouver Island after northern expedition and Challenges in Arctic Underwater Operations and Surveillance
CDAI: Canada Narrows Choice for New Submarines (Editor – 53:24 min podcast with NAC members and well-known senior submariners Bob Davidson and Luc Cassivi)
Time for an ‘All Round Look’: Considerations in Training and Crewing a Future Canadian Submarine (Editor – insightful article by well-known submariner and NAC member Norm Jolin)
HMCS Vancouver completes back-to-back Exercises in the Indo-Pacific & Le NCSM Vancouver participe à deux exercices consécutifs dans l’Indo-Pacifique
Canadian military will continue with U.S.-led counter-drug ops but won’t support attacks on alleged smuggling boats and Why U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats have Canada ‘between a rock and a hard place’ (Editor – note NAC NA Director Tim Addison’s comments)
Farewell to the Kingston-Class: RCN Marks End of an Era and RCN “Pays Off” Kingston-class Ships in Halifax Ceremony
His Majesty’s Canadian Ship William Hall returns from Operation Nanook
Port Inspection Divers Gain Experience in Summer OJE Program & Les plongeurs d’inspection portuaire acquièrent de l’expérience au sein du programme d’été d’EDP
Wagenborg to Attempt Refloat of Grounded ‘Thamesborg’ This Week Weather Permitting, Before Ice Window Narrows however Cargo Ship ‘Thamesborg’ Remains Aground in Arctic as Icebreaker Arrives on Scene With Sea Ice Building but finally Arctic Cargo Ship ‘Thamesborg’ Refloated AIS Data Show, Awaiting Company Confirmation
Hanwha Ocean meets 35+ Canadian companies For CPSP at DEFSEC Atlantic however Canada has not spoken to South Koreans about building new submarines at home, says embassy
There could be ‘mutual interest’ in Canada building its submarines, says German armament secretary
Canada and Germany talk maritime drones as Europe worries about threats to undersea infrastructure
CANADIAN ARMED FORCES: Canada Beefs up Defence While U.S. threatens war against its own Citizens (Editor – Esprit de Corps 6:20 min video)
It’s ‘full steam ahead’ for the F-35 program until told otherwise, defence official says
St. Lawrence and Great Lakes leaders unite to call for modernization
Petition Seeks Support For Family Members of Veterans to Receive Mental Health Benefits
Government backtracks on new Remembrance Day wreath policy
Balkans 35th Commemoration January 2026 to November 2027. The Balkans 35th Commemoration is a volunteer Veteran led initiative. The aim is to acknowledge Balkans Veterans from all elements of the CAF, the RCMP, other Canadian Police forces, CBSA, and CIDA who deployed to the Balkans from 1992 to 2004. There were 11 ship deployments during this period and 3000 naval personnel. To Contribute your Story.
Ports stop polluting ships from idling by installing ‘shore power’
The Port of Montreal’s Contrecoeur expansion: an economic muscle and a ‘dangerous game’ (Editor – 2:18 min CBC News video)
Lookout: 6 October 2025, Volume 70, Issue 20 (English) & (Française)
Trident: Monday 6 October 2025, Volume 59, Issue 20 (Bilingue) (Editor – Pg. 3 see “HMCS Max Bernays pushes the RCN’s Northern edge”)
NAC Naval Affairs: Bibliographies – Aircraft Carriers (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)
USA & AMERICA
USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Oct. 6, 2025
Pete Hegseth fires yet another military leader as the Pentagon purge intensifies
Coast Guard, Navy Ships Sail Up Delaware River for Navy’s 250th Birthday in Philadelphia
Four killed in latest US strike on alleged drug vessel near Venezuela with U.S. Military Conducts Latest Deadly Strike on Drug Boat Near Venezuela as Trump Declares ‘Armed Conflict’ with Cartels and Hegseth Says He Has Every Authorization Needed For Caribbean Vessel Strikes (Editor – comes down to – are these criminals or terrorists? Either way the drugs are killing thousands globally, but it isn’t clear if the US actions blowing up the boats will change much)
Why is the U.S. attacking boats near Venezuela? (Editor – CBC 6:49 min video)
USCG’s New Icebreaker Storis Completes First Arctic Patrol
Next-gen U.S. carriers Ford-class push forward amid reliability and budget pressures
U.S. Navy boosts ship defenses with multi-year Phalanx CIWS upgrade plan
Carrier USS Truman’s Collision Damage Appears at Anniversary Rally
Navy Tests Autonomous Vessels in Recent Multilateral Exercises
USNI: A Commercial Paradigm for Submarine Rescue (Editor – 35:56 min podcast)
Tall Ship Cuauhtemoc Departs New York After Collision Damage Repairs
CIMSEC: Strategic Minerals and the False Promise of Seabed Mining while China tightens export rules for crucial rare earths
Uncertainty Mounts as U.S. Port Fees on Chinese-Built Ships Near Deadline while
China revises maritime rules in response to looming US port fees
INDO-PACIFIC
Royal Navy Carrier Strike Group leaves the Pacific and begins exercise with Indian Navy and In a first, carrier strike groups of India, UK kick off high-voltage naval exercise
U.S. and Philippine Forces Drill Near South China Sea Flashpoint (Editor – HMCS Vancouver participated)
Russian Navy Surface Group Sailing to Southeast Asia
China Honing Abilities for a Possible Future Attack, Taiwan Defense Report Warns
INS Androth joins fleet with over 80% indigenous content, boosting coastal defence
Deep trouble: Taiwan-made submarine delays raise new doubts over project’s future
HD HHI kicks off MRO project for US Navy’s auxiliary ship
Hanwha Ocean, POSCO to develop ultra-high-strength steel for future naval platforms
Japan Holds Minelaying Drills Around Strategic Islands Near Taiwan
North Korea declares Choe Hyon destroyer ready for deployment to challenge U.S. and allies at sea
With nuclear sub proposal, Japan faces array of political and tech challenges
PT PAL Unveils KSOT Autonomous Submarine Prototype for the First Time
CIMSEC: Made In China 2025’s Impact on Chinese Shipbuilding (Editor – thought provoking)
FS Prairial Deploys for Mission Himantura
China Turns to Arctic Shortcut While Major Carriers Steer Clear
New Zealand pays Samoa millions after naval ship crash
EUROPE
Black Sea:
Ukraine Claims Long-Range Strike on Russian Warship North of Moscow (Editor – wasn’t sure where to put this unusual one. Had to “Google Map” it to understand the geography) and a separate attack Ukraine Just BLEW UP Russia’s $15 Billion Oil Lifeline — Shadow Fleet in Flames (Editor – if this 12:49 min video is even half accurate!)
Baltic:
Sea swarm: Canada is attracted to the confrontation with Russia in the Baltic (Editor – Russian opinion piece)
Royal Navy’s fast boats demonstrate international resolve in Estonia
Swedish, Polish Forces Simulate Defense of Gotland Amid Baltic Tensions
Finnish Court Dismisses Case Against Eagle S Crew in Baltic Sea Cable Breach Trial
General:
Ukraine Claims Long-Range Strike on Russian Warship North of Moscow (Editor – a conundrum deciding which section to place this item in!)
West’s boorishness is directed eastwards, Russia needs strong navy — Maritime Board chief (Editor – propaganda/perceptions diverge from western views)
Putin just awoke a sleeping giant… (Editor – not a naval 14:45 min video but pertinent)
USS Gerald R. Ford Now in the Mediterranean Sea
UK responds to Canadian submarine warning
In pictures: Royal Navy divers neutralise underwater bombs on Ex Northern Challenge
Boeing Delivers First P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft to Germany
UK Launches Project VANQUISH to Build Autonomous Carrier Aircraft
Germany to equip F127 frigates with SPY-6(V)1 radars
Sanctioned Tanker Boracay Sets Sail After French Raid
Thales Hits 100th CAPTAS Sonar Order for Anti-Submarine Warfare
Italy’s New Naval Turret Blends AI Fire Control With Classic 30mm Power
Ukraine’s Drone Strikes Push Russia to Export More Crude
Dutch Coast Guard Stops Drifting Tanker Before It Hits Wind Farm
MIDDLE EAST
Red Sea/Gulf of Aden:
Major GPS Disruption Reported in Gulf Region (Editor – from earlier edition of the Nautical Institutes The Navigator: Issue no 40 – GNSS disruption)
General:
U.S. Targets Iran’s Shadow Fleet with Massive Sanctions Package
Iran expands mini-submarine and missile boat force to counter U.S. and allied power in Gulf
2 years into the war, these figures illustrate the scale of Israel’s destruction of Gaza (Editor – not naval but for perspective)
2 Canadians detained in Israel after forces intercept Gaza flotilla: Global Affairs Canada
GLOBAL INTERESTS
Indian Coast Guard ship makes historic first visit to South Africa
French Mistral-class LHD Tonnerre docks in Ghana
SCUTTLEBUTT
CH-124 Sea King; Legendary ASW helicopter and example of a deeply flawed defense procurement process (Editor – sorry saga in a 23:56 min video)
Clever WWII Method to Track a Submerged Submarines speed (Editor – 10:30 min video)
Russia’s “Superweapon” Warship Is a Floating Chernobyl Wreck (Editor – OMG 15:44 min video)
The Forgotten Crimean War Battle Fought In The Pacific (Editor – 17:21 min video)
Britain’s Other Crimean War: Naval Campaign in the Baltic (Editor – 26:44 min video)
The Sinking of the Fuso and Yamashiro: The Last Battleship Duel in History (Editor – 30:56 min video)
THIS WEEK IN RCN/MARITIME HISTORY
13 October 1710 The defenders of Port Royal surrender to a British naval expedition.
13 October 1910 Her Majesty’s Dockyard, Halifax, is transferred to Canadian ownership by a British Order in Council.
14 October 1942 The SS Caribou was a passenger and train ferry that operated in the Cabot Strait between Port aux Basques, Newfoundland and North Sydney, Nova Scotia. The German submarine U-69 sank the vessel, losing 136 lives. It was worst loss of life in Canadian waters during the Second World War. Nursing Sister LCdr Margaret Brooke, fought for her own life hanging onto ropes on a capsized lifeboat while still doing everything she could to save the life of her colleague and friend Agnes Wilkie. Despite her heroic efforts her friend succumbed to the frigid waters. HMCS Margaret Brooke is named in her honour.
14 October 1944 HMCS Magog (River Class frigate) is torpedoed and badly damaged by U-Boat 1223 in the St. Lawrence River off Pointe des Montes.
16 October 1915 An Order-in-Council gives the Hospitals Commission authority to provide retraining and rehabilitation for disabled veterans.
16 October 1944 HMCS Annan, CO A/LCDR Charles P. Balfry, RCNR, and HMCS Loch Achanalt, CO A/LCdr Richard Wallace Hart, RCNVR sank the German submarine U-1006 south of the Faeroes. HMCS Loch Achanalt’s Radar Operator had first radar contact of U-1006 located astern of HMCS Annan. Canadians were for a time most of the sea-going radar operator component of the RN. Thirty out of the forty radar officers who completed their initial training with the British Admiralty in 1940 were Canadians.
17 October 1944 HMCS Prince Henry and HMCS Prince David engage in landing liberation forces in Greece (17-18 Oct).
Significant RCN Dates – If you notice any omissions or errors please inform me, and pointing out any more modern significant dates is encouraged. 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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