NAC News – Edition 653 HMCS Radisson
Your weekly national and international naval news for the week of January 23, 2026
Edition 653 HMCS Radisson Quote: “Today I will talk about a rupture in the world order, the end of a pleasant fiction and the beginning of a harsh reality, where geopolitics, where the large, main power, geopolitics, is submitted to no limits, no constraints. On the other hand, I would like to tell you that the other countries, especially intermediate powers like Canada, are not powerless. They have the capacity to build a new order that encompasses our values, such as respect for human rights, sustainable development, solidarity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the various states.
The power of the less power starts with honesty. It seems that every day we’re reminded that we live in an era of great power rivalry, that the rules based order is fading, that the strong can do what they can, and the weak must suffer what they must. And this aphorism of Thucydides is presented as inevitable, as the natural logic of international relations reasserting itself. And faced with this logic, there is a strong tendency for countries to go along to get along, to accommodate, to avoid trouble, to hope that compliance will buy safety.
Well, it won’t. So, what are our options?”
Prime Minister Carney, speech at Davos 2026 , 20 January 2026. (Editor – video/full text available in “This Week’s Significant Articles” 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
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 on Security and Defence, Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel, Ottawa
30 April 2026 Maritime Defence and Security Symposium and Battle of the Atlantic (BOA) Gala, the Halifax Hotel, Halifax. The symposium will be co-hosted by NAC and the Canadian Maritime Security Network. The symposium theme “Canada in Alliance & Conflict: The Will of a Nation.” A reception will be held the evening of 29 April ahead of the symposium. The evening of 30 April NS NAC will host the National BOA Gala at the same venue. Details to follow in due course but mark your calendars and hold that date!
13-15 May 2026 NIBC 2026 Conference – Maritime Arctic Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour hotel, Victoria BC. (Editor – NAC-VI helps financially sponsor this event)
15 May 2026 The CNMT has indicated that to mark the 85th anniversary of the launch of HMCS Sackville (English) & (Française) that she will be ceremonially re-commissioning back into the RCN. Details to follow)
25-27 June 2026 RCN Historical Conference – CFB Esquimalt, venue possibly HMCS Venture. Details TBP.
THIS WEEK’S SIGNIFICANT ARTICLE
‘The old order is not coming back,’ Carney says in provocative speech at Davos Editor – contains the whole 16:59 min speech that is a worthwhile listen) if you don’t wish to view the video Davos 2026: Special address by Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
CANADA
Irving Shipbuilding reports on progress in Canada’s River-class destroyer program
The Department of National Defence begins construction of the Land-Based Test Facility at Hartlen Point in Eastern Passage & Le ministère de la Défense nationale entreprend la construction de l’installation d’essai terrestre à Hartlen Point, à Eastern Passage
Hanwha Ocean launches ad blitz to pitch for Canadian sub contract (Editor – 3:01 min video) and Former RCN officer to lead Hanwha’s push for Canada’s next submarine fleet
Germany’s TKMS advances $12 billion bid to supply 12 Type 212CD patrol submarines to Canada
Matt Gurney: Seapower is back, baby. And Canada seems weirdly … kinda ready?
Canadian military’s reported modeling of response to hypothetical US invasion highlights rift between allies, reflects sense of crisis: expert (Editor – from Chinese Global Times)
CDR: Canada’s UAV, UAS, RPAS – Uncrewed Systems Industry (Editor – CP news 5:39 min video)
RAdm Jason Armstrong Interview 24 November 2025 (Editor – NAC interview from 24 Nov 2025)
Canada’s Military Presence in the Arctic | Your Morning (Editor – CTV 5:01 min video)
Combat Support Ship Asterix Supports Canada and Allies (Editor – 23:07 min video. Why not keep her around and rename her Provider?)
Cameron Kowalski on veteran chronic pain research
Construction of Canada’s multibillion-dollar LNG project nears 60%
Port of Saint John completes major container terminal expansion
NAC Naval Affairs: Bibliography Naval Strategy (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 & AMERICAS
USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Jan. 20, 2026
General:
Cold War Base in Greenland, Hot Again (Editor – 2:20 min video)
CIMSEC: The arctic is a strategic distraction (Editor – useful perspective) and CSIS:
Putting Greenland in Context (Editor – 9:57 min video)
Navy must take risks, act like the US is at war, says Phelan
Navy Guided Missile Battleship (BBG[X]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress
USS Zumwalt Underway for First Time Since 2023 After Missile Refit
The US Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike Program Explained
The Fleet of the 2030s, and the Ghost of Transformationalism
US Navy to Deploy First Medium Unmanned Surface Vessels
Royal Navy patrol ships rotate in Falklands mission
USCG Icebreakers Aid Great Lakes Shipping as Arctic Front Ices the Lakes
Port of Long Beach Charts Course to 20 Million TEUs Under New CEO After Record 2025
U.S. Approves $1.5B Plan to Build Peru Naval Base Near Chinese-Run Port
Caribbean Sea:
U.S. Coast Guard Seizes $7M in Cocaine from Drug-Smuggling Boat North of Puerto Rico
U.S. Forces Seize Sanctioned Tanker in SOUTHCOM with U.S. Targeting Shadow Oil Fleets Using U.N. Law of the Sea Convention, Former Coast Guard JAGs Say (Editor – here is the funny part: “Although the United States signed and recognized the UNCLOS as a codification of customary international law in 1994, it has not ratified it. The UNCLOS came into force in 1994.”)
After Vanishing From View, Two US-Seized Venezuela Oil Tankers Reappear Near Puerto Rico
U.S. says it has seized 7th Venezuela-linked oil tanker details WATCH: World’s largest aircraft carrier shows its power in the Caribbean (Editor – includes 0:37 sec video) and The growing danger of ghost ships (Editor – CBC 8:09 min video)
How the U.S. Crackdown Is Strangling Venezuela’s Dark Fleet | WSJ (Editor – 6:37 min video)
Sargassum Was a Caribbean Disaster and Now is Pure Gold (Editor – 8:09 min video)
Panama Ports See 3.6% Rise In TEU Container Traffic In 2025
INDO-PACIFIC
Pacific Ocean and adjoining seas:
Carney meets Xi Jinping, hails progress in resetting trade with China (Editor – incudes 2:04 min video)
Tripoli Expeditionary Strike Group operates in 7th Fleet
Royal Navy sends HMS Anson to Australia despite submarine shortage
U.S. Destroyer, Survey Vessel Conduct First Taiwan Strait Transit of 2026 and China’s Military ‘Monitors’ US Vessels Transiting The Taiwan Strait
CIMSEC: Charting a course: addressing Chinese maritime coercion around Taiwan
CIMSEC: Trilateral Shipbuilding: Build a Missile Corvette Fleet with Asian Allies
French Navy Intercepts Record Cocaine Shipment Near French Polynesia
Type 075 amphibious assault ship, the PLA ‘light aircraft carrier’ key to Taiwan strategy
Carrier Lincoln Leaves South China Sea, USS Tripoli Back Underway
China’s next generation of warships will be propelled by a powerful 50MW
Chinese Aircraft Carrier Fujian’s Design Flaws Drive China To Nuclear- Powered Carrier Ambitions
‘High probability of failure’: Former top official’s dire AUKUS warning
US approves $2.3bn sale of torpedoes, air defences, aircraft to Singapore
Austal launches Australia’s final Guardian-class patrol boat
600,000 Tons of Impossible Engineering: Shell’s Prelude FLNG (Editor – wow 6:48 min video)
NOAA Launches Deep-Sea Mapping Project Off American Samoa as Critical Minerals Race Accelerates
Indian Ocean and adjoining seas:
Chagos Islands Transfer Deal Hits US Opposition
EUROPE
Black and Caspian Seas:
Video: Ukrainian Drones Damage Vital Russian Black Sea Oil and Gas Terminal
Baltic Sea:
Germany Denies Baltic Sea Entry to Shadow Fleet Tanker ‘Tavian’ in Unprecedented Move
General:
Is Russia Ready For War With Nato? (Editor – 8:25 min video)
Finnish president aims to ready plan for Arctic security by NATO July summit
Russia Warns UK Not to Interfere With Shadow Fleet Tankers
Dutch Navy Intercepts and Escorts Russian Warship and Oil Tanker Through North Sea Waters
Growing Risks for Russia’s Shadow Fleet in the Mediterranean
French Navy orders six VSR700 drones
Three of six Type 45 Destroyers operational
UK injects millions of pounds to boost drone warfare
Ministers reaffirm nuclear deterrent investment and welfare
Germany Prepares to Buy MEKO A-200 Frigates After F126 Delays
UK-led Maritime Consortium sets out plan for nuclear-powered fleet
Optics11 Arms Europe’s Subsea Facilities With ‘Ultra-Sensitive’ Underwater Ears
French Navy Intercepts Sanctioned Russian Tanker in the Mediterranean and Russian embassy says it wasn’t notified by France about tanker detention
EU and UK Lower Russian Oil Price Cap, Tightening Screws on Moscow Revenue
Italy Seizes Ship Over Russian Steel Cargo Linked to Novorossiysk
EU Takes More than 200 Russian LNG Cargoes in 2025, Keeping Yamal’s Tanker Fleet Afloat
Amsterdam Government Calls for Banning Ocean Cruise Ships by 2035
MIDDLE EAST
Red Sea and Gulf of Aden:
The Gradual Return of Ships to the Red Sea Hits a Key Milestone
Uncertainty Returns to Red Sea as CMA CGM Reverses Course, Threatening Supply Chain Stability
U.S. Targets Ship Captains in Latest Crackdown on Houthi Oil Smuggling Network
General:
Trump decided not to attack Iran after calls from Israel, Saudi Arabia — news outlet
India Says Iran has Not Permitted Contact with Crew of Seized Tanker
Visiting Warships at DIMDEX 2026 in Doha, Qatar (Editor – 4:36 min video)
Royal Navy Pulls Last Ship From Bahrain, Ending 46-Year Gulf Presence
Türkiye and Qatar Advance $1B ISTIF-Class Frigate Program for Indonesia in DIMDEX 2026
GLOBAL INTERESTS
UN High Seas Treaty Enters Into Force
Chinese submersible’s 5277m dive
U.S. Says South Africa is Cozying Up to Iran With Naval Drills and Joint maritime drill among BRICS members wraps up off South Africa; features practicing rescuing hijacked commercial vessel: media
Libya To Sign $2.7 Billion Partnership To Expand Misurata Free Zone Port
MSC Sends Dutch Heavy-Lift Ship to Antarctica, Sparking Foreign-Flag Debate
SCUTTLEBUTT
Operation Blackleg (Editor – amazing events pointed out to by NAC member David Cooper)
The Mariner’s Mirror – The Naval Fiction Interviews: Katie Daysh, Hiram Nightingale and Arthur Courtney (Editor – 34:00 min podcast)
THIS WEEK IN RCN/MARITIME HISTORY
24 January 1932 HMC Ships Skeena and Vancouver land armed parties at Acajutla, El Salvador, to protect British subjects threatened in a revolution.
24 January 1946 HMCS Warrior, the RCN’s first aircraft carrier, is commissioned and Nos.803, 825, 826, and 883 Squadrons (already manned by Canadians) were transferred from the Royal Navy.
25 January 1915 CGS Canada commissioned as HMCS Canada and would serve out the war as an antisubmarine patrol vessel and escort to local high-value shipping such as the first contingent of the Canadian Expeditionary Force leaving for France. She was sold off in 1924 for commercial use but foundered off the Florida Keys 2 July 1926.
25 January 1951 HMCS ships Nootka and Cayuga were fired on during the Korean War. The received no damage beyond a few shell fragments.
26 January 1955 Cabinet approves the entry of members of the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service as members of the RCN Regular Force. This was the first time that women were integrated into the permanent force of a Commonwealth navy.
29 January 1914 First public parade of Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve (RNCVR) in Victoria. They had ex-RN instructors.
30 January 1991 At the Battle of Babiyan two CF-18s were diverted to attack an Iraqi fast patrol boat that had managed to escape destruction by other aircraft. After two strafing runs with the CF-18s 20 mm guns, the boat was irreparably damaged and later found to have sought safe-haven in Iran. This was the first aerial attack by Canadian pilots since the Korean War (1991).
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. Recently “Guardians of the North” written by NAC members Rich Gimblett & Karl Gagnon. 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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