NAC News – Edition 648 HMCS Nonsuch
Your weekly national and international naval news for the week of December 19, 2025
Edition 648 HMCS Nonsuch Quote: “Ho, ho, ho! Christmas is coming! As you wake up to these special Xmas days, think of it as a blank seascape, ready to be painted shipside grey with blustery skies and mountainous waves. Whether it’s dreaming of new destroyers and submarines or simply sharing laughs over hot rum toddies. Throughout the past year, you’ve shown such growth and vigour and I’m impressed with your high readership of NAC News. That’s the true spirit of Christmas – spreading and sharing seafaring news and dancing the hornpipe to celebrate RCN camaraderie! So, as you reach into your boot locker for that hidden bottle, savor the day and remember absent friends. Cherish the warmth of not being focsle officer leaving Halifax in January and share a jar with your beloved XO who stood down the focsle party as passing Georges Island! Paint-ship routine brushstrokes of love and joy, signed Santa Claus”
Santa Letter to Children, revised by the NAC News Editor giving a big nod to Hemprope Harold!, 19 December 2025 (Editor – with respect to today’s sensitives I was unable to include Hemprope’s saltier language)
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
24 February 2026 ShipTech Forum 2026, The National Arts Centre. 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa. Not able to attend in person – all speaker sessions will be live streamed, to facilitate virtual attendance. (Editor – NAC helps sponsor this event. Early Bird Registration is Open! Discount code for NAC members to use for their tickets is STF26_NAC)
4/5 March 2026 CDAI 2026 Ottawa Conference, Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel, Ottawa (Editor – save the date, details to follow)
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 ARTICLE
Editor – The latest Fall 2025 STARSHELL is now available on the NAC National Website under Naval Affairs
FEATURE INTERVIEW: VADM Angus Topshee, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy (Editor – Australian Defence & Industry Analyst 11:13 min video)
The Allies After America – In Search of Plan B
CANADA
Canada’s uncrewed systems report
Why Canada Built a Billion $ Warship That Can’t Fight (Editor – dumb title, good 39:07 min video)
Attack Submarine returns from Arctic Mission! (Editor – 12:42 min video)
CMSN: Canadian Seapower Event Report Calgary 26-27 September 2025
CDAI: What Trump’s National Security Strategy Means for Canada (Editor – 50:00 min podcast)
Canada’s connections to the F-35
Ship traffic steadily increasing in Canadian Arctic waters, researchers say and impact Analysis shows climate impacts will increasingly strain Canada’s Arctic defence infrastructure
Accelerating Maritime Readiness: Thales and Cohere Bring Agentic AI to Canada’s Naval Future
New Niobe Papers, No. 24, Procuring the Canadian Patrol Frigates Lessons from History, by Garison Ma
New NAC Paper: Visions & Options Series – Scaling Up Canadian Seapower The Multi-Mission Corvette Project, Andrew Erskine, December 2025
The Government of Canada recognizes Gulf War Illness & Le gouvernement du Canada reconnaît la maladie de la guerre du Golfe
The Department of National Defence Acquires Additional Apartment Complex in British Columbia & Le ministère de la Défense nationale fait l’acquisition d’un autre immeuble résidentiel en Colombie‑Britannique and Canadian military buys 52-unit building in Courtenay, B.C., as part of national housing push (Editor – CBC News 1:59 min video)
Government of Canada announces contract to deliver new multi-role aircraft for Royal Canadian Air Force & Le gouvernement du Canada annonce un contrat pour la livraison de nouveaux avions polyvalents à l’Aviation royale canadienne
Understanding pension indexation for 2026
Prince Rupert Port posts strong surge in foreign cargo volumes and Canada posts first trade surplus since trade war began
Grounded MSC Baltic III’s Hull Further Compromised After Winter Storms
OPP, CBSA arrest 20, recover 306 stolen cars in major auto theft investigation
Lookout: 15 December 2025, Volume 70, Issue 26 (English) & (Française)
Trident: Monday 1 December 2025 Volume 59, Issue 24 (Bilingue)
NAC Naval Affairs: Bibliography Operations in the Middle East (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: Dec. 15, 2025
Caribbean Sea:
Trump declares fentanyl a ‘weapon of mass destruction’ with executive order (Editor – in the USA during 2025 over 105,000 people died from drug overdoses. Opioids are a factor in 70% of the overdose deaths. Drug overdoses have killed over 1.25 million people since 1999. There is a school of thought for “drastic times call for drastic measures” resembles classical sayings such as “necessitas non habet legem” [necessity has no law] and Seneca’s moralizing about necessity forcing extreme action. These express the idea that exceptional circumstances justify exceptional responses)
Concerning Kinetic Strikes on Drug Boats: Law, Not Hyperbole
Venezuela Dispatches its Navy to Escort Tankers Past U.S. “Blockade” (Editor – one wonders what their ROE are?)
Ghost Oil Ships Dock In Venezuela, Showing Challenge For US however Tankers U-Turn After U.S. Seizure of Venezuelan Oil Cargo with Over 11 Million Barrels of Venezuelan Oil Stuck at Sea After U.S. Tanker Seizure and the hammer Trump orders blockade of ‘sanctioned oil tankers’ into Venezuela, declares regime ‘terrorist organization’ then After U.S. Bust, Four Tankers Turn Around Instead of Calling in Venezuela however Venezuela Authorizes Two Unsanctioned VLCCs to Depart
As Trump targets Venezuela, its allies Russia and China show little signs of support beyond Whole world, save for Europe, condemns US actions in Caribbean — Lavrov
Watch: What to know about the growing US military presence in Puerto Rico (Editor – 1:34 min video)
U.S. SOUTHCOM Commander Adm. Holsey Retires
Why U.S. Shipbuilding Collapsed — And The Push To Rebuild It (Editor – 16:00 min video)
Cuba On Edge as US Seizure of Oil Tanker Puts Supply at Risk
China’s naval hospital ship Silk Road Ark leaves Jamaica for Barbados
General:
VIDEO: Latest US triple drug boat strike kills 8 in the Pacific then Another U.S. strike on alleged drug boat leaves 4 dead in eastern Pacific, military says
Carrier USS Nimitz Returns to Bremerton, Wraps Final Deployment
New Bill Authorizes $26B for Shipbuilding, Adds Flexibility for Navy Acquisition
Outlining the Challenges to U.S. Naval Shipbuilding
Winning the long game: Sustaining sea power as our enduring advantage
New Virginia-class submarine USS Idaho joins US Navy’s fleet
US Navy Tests First Flight III Arleigh Burke-Class Destroyer
US Navy welcomes John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oiler USNS Lucy Stone
U.S. Shipyard Launches Saudi Arabia’s First MMSC Frigate “HMS Saud” (Editor – interesting Saudi first when she eventually transits home via the St Lawrence seaway.)
Navy Ship Fire Prevention Falters on Contractor Oversight Gaps, GAO Warns
What Would Teddy Roosevelt Think of the “Trump Corollary”?
The Harpoon Missile: A Look at America’s Maritime Strike System
Every US Navy Fleet Explained (Editor – handy 4:52 min video)
U.S. Navy eyes Coast Guard cutter as new frigate class after Constellation cancellation
Why the US Navy Is Betting Big on the Expeditionary Sea Base (Editor – 14:15 min video)
Northrop Demos Towed Anti-Mine Sonar on Drone Boat for US Navy
US Navy launches second unmanned patrol squadron
Panama Canal Delivers Nearly $3 Billion to Treasury After Drought Recovery
Shipbuilder Blames Operator Modifications for ‘Dali’ Blackout That Brought Down Key Bridge
Port of Los Angeles Poised for Third-Best Cargo Year Despite Tariff Headwinds
INDO-PACIFIC
Pacific Ocean and adjoining seas:
Royal Thai Navy Shells Cambodian Positions
U.S. Now Has Two Aircraft Carrier Strike Groups in Western Pacific to Deter China
VIDEO: China Coast Guard Blasts Fishermen With Water Cannon Near Sabina Shoal, Philippines Dispatches Patrol Boats with China Injured Filipino Fishermen in Contested Sea, Manila Says
New Chinese Carrier Fujian Sails Through the Taiwan Strait
Philippines and Taiwan Explore Coast Guard Cooperation
Philippines, U.S. eye Luzon Strait base for joint defense operations
Japan Marine United launches fifth Awaji-class minesweeper for JMSDF
Vietnam nears completion of militarized South China Sea outposts
U.S. Navy ship USS Cincinnati arrives in Indonesia for new joint maritime exercise
New Zealand’s frigate choice: Mogami or Type 31?
ROKN’s new naval vessel quartet christened in Busan
Korea’s HJ Heavy Industries Wins First U.S. MRO Project
Austal Defence Australia awarded Landing Craft Medium Design and Build Contract
Pakistan Navy Launches 4th Hangor-class Submarine “Ghazi” in China
ONE Apus Arrives in Kobe, Revealing Cargo Loss of Epic Proportions (Editor – nearly 2000 containers lost!)
Indian Ocean and adjoining seas:
Navy to commission first indigenously built diving support craft on Dec 16
U.S. Intercepts Ship Carrying Chinese Missile Components to Iran
EUROPE
Black Sea and now Caspian Sea:
Leaders’ statement on Ukraine European Council Press release15 December 2025 21:10
EU agree €90bn loan for Ukraine but without using Russian assets
In a first, Ukraine says it struck Russian submarine in Black Sea port with underwater drones supporting Russian Submarine hit in Dramatic Attack in Black Sea (Editor – 10:48 min video) however In a first, Ukraine says it struck Russian submarine in Black Sea port with underwater drones more details but confirmation is in question SSU hits russian submarine in Novorossiysk (video)
Drone Attack Strikes Tanker at Russia’s Rostov-on-Don Port with Ukrainian Drone Strike Kills Two Crew on Russian Tanker at Rostov Port
The Institute for the Study of War Editor (Editor – here is a useful source that was pointed out to me. I’ve subscribed to Newsroom – Russia & Ukraine email updates)
Ukraine says it hit Russian ships accused of carrying arms between Iran and Russia
Russia Attacks Two Ukrainian Ports, Damaging Three Turkish-Owned Vessels
Black Sea Tanker Attacks Put Civilian Seafarers at Risk, ITF Warns
Baltic Sea:
Sweden and Saab selected for Poland’s new submarines (Editor – 3:32 min video)
Sweden Confirms Armed Guards Aboard Russian Shadow Tankers
Kongsberg secures €100M deal to provide NSM coastal defense system for Denmark
The Danish Navy is to Acquire New Vessel for Monitoring Critical Underwater Infrastructure
General:
Russia Deploys All Eight Nuclear Icebreakers for First Time to Keep Arctic Export Routes Open
EU Sanctions 41 Shadow Fleet Vessels and Plans Monthly Additions
Invisible Frontline: The undersea infrastructure that keeps Britain working (Editor – 6:02 min video included)
China, Russia pulling ahead of NATO in Arctic drone capabilities: report
Huge new British warship powers up for the first time (Editor – the first of many type 26 plants!)
£316 million deal puts laser weapons on Royal Navy’s warships from 2027
German Navy takes over first NH90 Sea Tiger
Ireland unveils €1.7 billion plan to beef up its weak defenses
Rare access to Saab’s A26 submarine under construction (Editor – Wow 13:43 min video)
France develops new launch system to let its FDI frigate carry up to four times more missiles
UK defends AUKUS submarine rotation despite SSN pressure
German Meyer Werft Wins €10 Billion Ship Order From MSC Cruises
Cargo Ship ‘Thamesborg’ Arrives at Turkey Shipyard For Repairs After Arctic Grounding
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor loses final military title six weeks after royal role ended
MIDDLE EAST
Red Sea and Gulf of Aden:
USNS Robert E. Peary: Resupplying Ships In The Fight Against Pirates (Editor – 45:47 min video)
General:
Tehran Revives Disputes in the Gulf to Boost Patriotic Support at Home
US Imposes Sanctions Iranian Oil Shadow Fleet
Navy launches suicide drone from ship at sea for first time
GLOBAL INTERESTS
Subtle Dominance: China Engages in Nearly 100 Overseas Port Projects Worldwide
One Continuity loses 45 containers off the Canary Islands
SCUTTLEBUTT
USS Barbel: The Last Diesel Submarine That Proved the Navy Wrong (Editor – 1:03:02 hr video)
The Animation of the 1919 German Fleet Scuttle in Scapa Flow (Editor – 23:50 min video)
How fast did HMS Rodney go when chasing Bismarck? (Editor – 21:02 min video)
Why is Prinz Eugen Still There (Editor – 8:22 min video)
Naval Gunnery – Plunging Fire, What is it and How to protect from it? (Editor – 29:48 min video)
The history of the world according to cats – Eva-Maria Geigl (editor – 4:43 min video)
The Mariner’s Mirror: The Naval Fiction Interviews: Julian Stockwin and Thomas Kydd (Editor – first of what will be a fun series in a 36:00 min podcast interview)
THIS WEEK IN RCN/MARITIME HISTORY
20 December 1941 HMCS Adversus, ex-RCMP patrol ship, while on patrol was lost at sea when caught in a blizzard and run aground on McNutts Island near Shelburne, NS. All 16 crew survive.
20 December 1943 HMCS Prince David is re-commissioned as a Landing Ship Infantry (Medium).
24 December 1944 On Christmas Eve HMCS Clayoquot is torpedoed by a U806 and sinks while taking station on convoy XB139, three miles from Sambro Island lighthouse. Eight of her crew were lost.
Significant RCN Dates – If you notice any omissions or errors please inform me. 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) Last and far from least Gary Weir’s For Prosperity’s Sake RCN historical project site.
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