NAC News – Edition K671/322 HMCS Lauzon
Your weekly national and international naval news for the week of June 5, 2026
Edition K671/322 HMCS Lauzon (River/Prestonian Class Frigate) Quote: “Russia’s relationship with North Korea has dramatically expanded since Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, giving Pyongyang a major partner less interested in constraining Pyongyang’s behavior than the PRC. North Korea signed a mutual defense agreement with Russia in June 2024, sold Russia billions of dollars in munitions, and deployed thousands of troops and defense industrial workers to Russia to support Russia’s war effort. Russia also publicly dropped its opposition to North Korea’s nuclear program in 2024. North Korea has reaped substantial economic rewards from the relationship and availed itself of Russian aid in improving its missiles, submarines, drones, and other military technologies.” ISW, Korean Peninsula Update, 27 May 2026
Editor NAC News: Rod Hughes (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
20 June 2026 12:00 (Ottawa time) The NAC National 2026 AGM will be held virtually using GoToMeeting. Details on how to join, the agenda and meeting reports (as available), procedures and other information can be found here. https://nac-o.wildapricot.org/sys/website/?pageId=18286 (please note you must be logged in as this is a member event). Registration is encouraged to help assess participation and monitor quorum requirements. Contact Nora Kennedy at NACcoordinator@navalassoc.ca as needed.
UPDATE 25 – 27 June 2026 13th RCN Historical Conference – venue Wardroom CFB Esquimalt. Details TBP.
13 – 16 July 2026 Monday-Tuesday, Maritime & Arctic Security & Safety Conference (MASS) St. John’s Convention Centre, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
19 October 2026 ABCDMI Seaspan Industry Engagement Day Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, BC
20 – 21 October 2026 ABCDMI Business Opportunities Conference & Trade Show, Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, BC
THIS WEEK’S SIGNIFICANT ARTICLE
‘Balance Of Force Is Moving In…’: Canada PM Mark Carney Gives Bad News To Putin On Ukraine War (Editor – 8:10 min video)
CANADA
Canada Expands Indo-Pacific Presence with Major Contribution and Leadership Role at RIMPAC 2026 (Editor – “The biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise will bring 31 nations in and around the Hawaiian Islands from June 24 to July 31, 2026. The exercise will feature a multinational force of approximately 40 surface ships, 5 submarines, 140 aircraft, and more than 25,000 personnel.”)
Why choosing Canada’s new submarines is such a tough call (Editor – 8:39 min CBC News video)
All for one: Norway, Germany sell Canada on shared submarine fleet with Germany make final play for Canada submarine
Canadian Navy Exchange Experience On Korean Navy KSS-III Submarine (Editor – 14:22 min Go Bold video)
Canadian auto parts industry forms new partnership with South Korea’s Hanwha (Editor – another wrinkle in a 2:21 min CTV News video) and International competition for Canadian submarine contract (Editor – another CTV 1:58 min video)
Canadian Navy’s second joint support ship reaches structural milestone
French naval ship arrives in Halifax (Editor – 0:50 sec video)
Canada marks construction milestone for future Arctic polar icebreaker
CGAI: Building a Canadian Marine Industry Through the NSS (Editor – 40:32 min podcast)
Lockheed Martin awards OSI IBNS contract for Canada’s River-class destroyers
Canada’s Arctic Assassin: Inside the New River-Class Destroyer (Editor – 12:55 min video)
Celebrating the Royal Military College of Canada’s 150th anniversary & Célébrant le 150e anniversaire du Collège militaire royal du Canada
Military police leadership still battling civilian oversight, watchdog reports
Patriotism will drive Canadians into mobilization force, military report says
Why the Royal Canadian Navy Must Retain the CSS Asterix
Davie and Kraken team up on autonomous systems in Canada
COVE and The Launch Support Autonomous Maritime Surveillance Trials
Canada confirms purchase of 26 HIMARS rocket launchers from U.S. government (Editor – not a maritime article but an important one for Canada)
Ottawa orders fresh look at Afghanistan heroism cases, opens door to Victoria Cross review
NOAA Advances Deep Sea Minerals Application in Latest U.S. Seabed Mining Move
Sidney’s Elite Military: Cold War Veterans (Editor – nice to see NAC life member John Anderson getting local recognition)
Biographer Brian Jeffrey Street on the Canadian hero of Dunkirk, Part 2
The Nautical Institute: The Navigator: Issue no 42 – Restricted Areas
Lookout: 1 June 2026, Volume 71, Issue 11 & Volume 71, numéro 11, 11 juin 2026
Trident: Monday 01 Juune 2026 Volume 60, Issue 11 & (Éditeur – désolé, mais il y a un problème technique pour récupérer la version française)
NAC Naval Affairs: Bibliography Tribal Class Destryers (Editor – NAC Naval Affairs Papers, Briefing Notes, Niobe Papers, and much more. Please share with people you think may benefit from the knowledge, after all, that’s what your naval affairs programme is all about; enlightening Canadians about maritime affairs and the need for the RCN.
USA & AMERICAS and the Caribbean Sea
USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: June 1, 2026
US munitions depleted by Iran war will take years to restore, analysis finds and more details US missiles blown up in Iran and Israel will never be replaced (Editor – supply chain rein a 19:38 min video)
Davie Breaks Ground on $1 Billion Texas Shipyard Expansion for Coast Guard Icebreakers
House Authorizers Adopt Amendment for Navy Battleship Study
US Navy submarine Connecticut to return to service following grounding
At Least 200 People Killed in U.S. Strikes on Suspected Drug Boats and then Two Men Killed in Strike On Suspected Drug Boat, First in June
U.S. Begins Dismantling Major Ocean Observation Network
US Navy accepts delivery of final Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class destroyer
CIMSEC: Five Issues for the National Commission on the Future of the Navy
How the US Navy Fixed a Missile Crisis With a Shipping Container (Editor – 17:09 min video)
CIMSEC: Latin America: Donations and Sales of Second-hand Hulls
US Navy to explore powering shore installations with aircraft carriers
U.S. Navy Selects 7 Contenders for the MUSV Program
The crazy techniques massive submarines use to stay silent in middle of the ocean (Editor – surprisingly candid 18:10 min video)
World’s largest FLNG crosses the FID finish line with $5 billion committed
INDO-PACIFIC
Pacific Ocean and 22+ marginal seas:
USNI News Western Pacific Pulse: May 29, 2026
South Korea’s new Aegis destroyer departs for RIMPAC, plans to take on first command (Editor – 2:05 min video)
Used Virginia-class subs for Australia with U.S. Will Sell 3 In-service Virginia Subs to Australia Instead of 1 New, 2 In-service and commentary The Dangerous Crisis Straining the U.S. Submarine Fleet (Editor – 7:42 min video) with Australia’s former environment minister to head independent review of AUKUS submarine programme
New Mystery Submarine Signals China’s Rapid Undersea Expansion
The missile gap problem: US Indo-Pacific deterrence under strain with China Deploys 35th Type 052D Destroyer to South China Sea as PLAN’s Southern Fleet Surpasses 1,000 Missile Cells
Taiwan Beefs up Anti-Ship Missile Arsenal to Counter Threat of Chinese Invasion
PLA Southern Theater Command releases video of combat readiness patrols in South China Sea, reinforcing position on safeguarding Huangyan Dao with U.S. Coast Guard Patrols Near Scarborough Shoal with Philippine Forces Amid Concerns of Potential Chinese Build-Up
Chinese Carrier Strike Group Conducts 170 Sorties During Drills in Philippine Sea and Naval Ships in Comprehensive Training Assessments (Editor – 1:23 min eye-candy video)
The seabed is becoming a battlefield. Taiwan has field notes
Grab what you can while you can: The new reality in the South China Sea with Philippines Verifying Reports of Structure in Scarborough Shoal
India Has Signed BrahMos Missile Deal With Vietnam, Indian Minister Says and Why Is Vietnam Tooling Up With India’s Deadly BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missiles
US, UK and Australia to develop underwater drone technology
Royal Australian Navy commissions second Arafura-class patrol vessel
Navy’s new frigate designed to hunt growing Chinese submarine threat
Australia receives final P‑8A Poseidon aircraft
Why Japan’s New Warship Has NO FUNNEL! Mogami-Class Stealth (Editor – 8:00 min video)
Philippine, Indonesian navies conduct joint maritime border patrol
RNZN benefits from growing Kiwi defence budget
The Costly Mistake of Building a 400m Ship (Editor – interesting imagery in a 1:36 min video)
Indian Ocean and 4 major marginal seas:
India Revives Midget Submarine Plan Amid Debate Over Indigenous Versus Foreign Designs
Indian Navy To Induct Six Indigenous Vessels In June 2026
EUROPE
Black, Azov, and Caspian Seas:
Zelensky proposes face-to-face talks in open letter to Putin
Turkey Warns Against ‘Uncontrolled Escalation’ After Drone Strike on Ship
Ukrainian Drones Strike Port, Oil Depot In Southern Russia
Startups Shore Up Ukraine’s Defenses With Sea Drone Swarms and Robot Trucks
Baltic Sea:
Ukrainian drones hit St Petersburg as Putin’s flagship economic forum opens
US, NATO allies to launch scaled-back Baltic Sea drills
Poland to lease HMS Sodermanland submarine from Sweden until first Saab A26 arrives
Mediterranean Sea and its 15 marginal seas:
General:
Royal Navy Merlin helicopter crashes in Devon with Three Royal Navy members killed in Devon helicopter crash sadly Lt Lily-Mae Fisher, UK’s only female commando, among Navy personnel killed in heli crash
‘The Answer Is Clear’: NATO Military Chief Stunning Speech On Security Ties Amid Global (Editor – 15:25 min video)
How Ukrainian drone pilots disrupted NATO war games (Editor – cautionary tale in a 2:07 min video)
France seized sanctioned Russian oil tanker with UK help, Macron says then Russia Tells France to Free Tanker Captain It Says Was Detained on False Charges and Captain of Tagor tanker released from custody in France — agency
Royal Navy’s Type 26 programme fully on track amid landmark Norwegian agreement
A British Minesweeper That Was Withdrawn From the Gulf is Back on Patrol
New British nuclear attack subs to start build by late 2020s
HMS Prince of Wales remains in Norway for repairs
Royal Navy says new submersible minehunter ready for Hormuz mission
UK Plans Tougher Penalties for Ships That Damage Subsea Cables
Romania strikes major €5.7B deal with Rheinmetall for defense systems and naval vessels
EU May Keep Russian Oil Price Cap Unchanged at $44 per Barrel to Pressure Moscow
MIDDLE EAST
Tankers Gather Outside Persian Gulf in Wager on Hormuz Reopening
Why the U.S.-Iran Negotiations Are Taking So Long (Editor – NY Times 2:53 min video) and Tamir Hayman | Full Episode 5.29.26 | Firing Line with Margaret Hoover | PBS (Editor – 24:30 min video)
Trump Says U.S. Will End Naval Blockade of Iran while U.S. Forces Disable Commercial Vessel, Showing Iran Blockade Still Active Despite Peace Talks then Iran stopping indirect talks with U.S. in protest of Israeli strikes on Lebanon
U.S. Forces Disable Sanctioned Tanker Bound for Iran as Blockade Enforcement Continues with U.S. Disables an Iran-Linked Tanker With a Hellfire Missile
MSC Containership Damaged in Apparent Attack Off Iraq and Projectile strikes on MSC’s vessel raise maritime security concerns
NATO in Hormuz is not mission creep with EU Weighs Expanding Aspides Mission to Lead Hormuz Mine-Clearing Effort then European Mine-Clearance Force for Strait of Hormuz Forming Up
HMS Dragon joins French carrier strike group in the Arabian Sea
One killed and dozens injured in Iranian drone strikes on Kuwait airport
Global Shipping Update with Sal Mercogliano (Editor – USNI lengthy but worthwhile interview with Sal Mercogliano in a 38:43 min video)
U.S. Warns Ships Ignoring Orders in Hormuz May Be Treated as Threats
World’s Top Economic Bodies Warn Hormuz Disruptions Are Draining Oil Inventories at Record Pace
Iran attacks damage 20 US military sites since start of war, satellite images show
De-mining the Strait of Hormuz
Oman Warns of Suspected Floating Mine in Hormuz, Reinforcing Shipping Industry Fears
Why Iran’s Shadow Oil Fleet Is So Hard for Trump to Stop | WSJ (Editor – reality in a 7:21 min video)
The Iran War has destroyed fertilizer markets and farmers everywhere, almost (Editor – sadly may end up being the most significant unintended consequence 13:14 min video)
Sailors stressed and exhausted after months trapped by Strait of Hormuz blockade
ARCTIC, 7 marginal seas and Canada’s archipelago (Editor – a new section)
Northern Fleet deploys anti-drone nets over nuclear submarines
Nuclear-powered submarine Arkhangelsk conducts missile-firing exercise in Barents Sea
Russian nuclear battlecruiser Admiral Nakhimov enters final sea trials to challenge US in the Arctic
GLOBAL INTERESTS
Trafigura Warns World’s Largest Energy Crisis Is Far From Over
Good Hope for shipping – none for the South African Navy
This System Defined The Global Economy For 211 Years (Editor – perceptive historical analysis in a 22:57 min video)
The USA Is The Biggest Oil Producer In History… Why Does Hormuz Matter? (Editor – first-rate analysis of global challenges in a 30:06 min video)
IMO Adopts MASS Code: The Autonomous Ship Moves from Drawing Board to Regulated Reality
The Insane Economics of Cruise Industry (Editor – 9:34 min video)
SCUTTLEBUTT
The ‘Outclassed’ British Destroyer That Killed Two Italian Cruisers In Five Minutes (Editor – 13:421 min video)
Three MASSIVE Warship Design Failures (Editor – 21:04 min video)
THIS WEEK IN RCN/MARITIME HISTORY
6 June 1943 HMCS Prince Robert is recommissioned as an anti-aircraft cruiser.
6 June 1944 110 RCN ships and 10,000 sailors take part in Op NEPTUNE, landing 14,000 Canadian soldiers on Juno Beach in the invasion of France. Destroyers: HMCS Algonquin and Sioux, Landing Ships Infantry (Medium): HMCS Prince Henry carrying the 528th Flotilla of eight landing craft assault (LCAs), and HMCS Prince David, carrying the 529th Flotilla of six LCAs. The Bangor Class Minesweepers: HMC Ships Bayfield, Blairmore, Caraquet, Cowichan, Fort William, Malpeque, Milltown, Minas, Mulgrave and Wasaga (31st Flotilla); HMCS Thunder (4th Flotilla, RN), HMC Ships Georgian, Guysborough, Kenora and Vegreville (14th Flotilla, RN) and JMCS Canso (16th Flotilla, RN). Landing Craft Infantry Large: 260th, 262nd, and 264th Canadian Flotillas, each with 10 RN landing craft manned by RCN personnel. Motor Torpedo Boats: 29th and 65th Flotillas, with eight and seven boats respectively.
7 June 1942 The US merchant ship Coast Trader torpedoed by Japanese Navy submarine I-26 in the Strait of Juan de Fuca inside Canadian waters; the vessel had set off from Port Angeles, Washington, bound for San Francisco with a cargo of 1,250 tons of newsprint in its hold; wreck discovered in 2013 survey by the Canadian Hydrographic Service, organized by Titanic discoverer Robert Ballard, using a remote-controlled robotic submarine; the same Japanese submarine will shell the Estevan Point lighthouse a few days later.
7 June 1944 Escort Group 11, including HMCS Ottawa with CO Cdr James D. Prentice, DSO, RCN, and Kootenay with CO A/LCdr William H. Willson, RCN sank U-678 after a 13-hour hunt.
7 June 1958 HMCS Restigouche is commissioned as the first of a class of destroyer escorts meant to replace the St. Laurent class.
7 June 1965 Department of National Defence replaces navy, army, and air force commands with six functional commands: Maritime, Mobile, Air Defence, Air Transport, Materiel, and Training. Naval shore establishments, army camps and air force stations became either Canadian Forces Bases or Canadian Forces Stations, depending on size. Navy, army, and air force headquarters were moved from Ottawa and established respectively in Halifax, Montreal (St-Hubert) and Winnipeg. The umbrella name for the new organization was the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). It later became the Canadian Forces (CF) before reverting to the CAF in 2013. By 2014, many of Hellyer’s changes had been reversed. The three services are once again known as the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force, and its members wear distinct service uniforms; former rank names and designators for the army and navy have also been reinstituted.
8 June 1893 Steamship Mower arrives in Victoria B.C. from Sydney, Australia: first steamer of the Canadian Australian Line.
8 June 1944 RCAF Flying Officer Kenneth Owen (K.O.) Moore and his crew of 9 flying a B-25 Liberator of RAF Squadron 224 from St. Eval, Cornwall, England while patrolling after the D-Day landing in the English Channel depth-charged and sank U629, then went on to sink 10 minutes later in a similar attack U373. His concise report of the attacks “Sighted two subs, sank same” became famous.
9 June 1789 Spanish captain Estebán José Martínez captures trader John Meares’ schooner Northwest America in Nootka Sound near Vancouver Island.
9 June 1944 HMCS Haida commanded by Cdr Harry G. DeWolf, DSO, RCN, HMCS Huron commanded by LCdr Herbert S. Rayner, DSC, RCN, and other destroyers from the 10th Destroyer Flotilla sank the German destroyers ZH1 and Z32 in the English Channel.
10 June 1803 Warship HMS Dart carries the so-called Garrison clock (“old town clock”) to Halifax, N.S.; ordered by Prince Edward, it will be installed October 20 in a building built for it on the eastern slope of Citadel Hill.
10 June 1878 Fort Rodd Hill built to protect Esquimalt in the event of a war with Russia.
10 June 1910 Rear-Admiral Charles E. Kingsmill, RN (Retired), is appointed the Director of the Naval Service.
10 June 1931 HMCS Skeena commissioned at Portsmouth-one of the first ships built for the RCN. The captain was Commander Victor Gabriel Brodeur a member of the original cohort of cadets who had entered in CGS Canada in 1909.
10 June 1940 The Canadian government declares war on Italy. The Italian owned S.S. Capo Noli, with Canada now at war with Italy, was trying to escape down the St. Lawrence river below Rimouski, pursued by the slower HMCS Bras d’Or (Lt. C S Hornsby, RCNR). She was sighted by Fl.Lt. Leonard J. Birchall (later Air Commodore) in his Stranraer, who threatened to bomb her. Her Master then ran her ashore and set fire to his ship. Shortly Bras d’Or caught up, told the crew to re-board & put out the fire and took command. Re-named Bic Island, the ship was later sunk in the Atlantic by U-224 on 28 Oct 1942.
11 June 1813 Nova Scotia privateering vessel, Liverpool Packet, owned by Enos Collins and associates, is captured by American privateer schooner Thomas; the schooner is re-named the Portsmouth Packet, until it is regained by HMS Fantome and HMS Epervier after a 13-hour chase, in October 1813.
11 June 1940 While evacuating personnel from le Havre, France, destroyers HMCS St. Laurent and Restigouche engage German artillery and fire the first shots of the war by Canadian warships.
11 June 1944 A Canso from RCAF Squadron 162 sank U-980 southwest of Norway.
11 June 1944 HMCS Sioux commanded by A/LCdr Eric E.G. Boak, RCN with Polish destroyers sank (schnellboot) S-136 off Normandy.
11 June 1999 The United Nations contribution to the International Force in East Timor (INTERFET) and the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) was a peacekeeping mission. It included 600 Canadians consisting of HMCS Protecteur with a Sea King helicopter, including construction engineers, an infantry company of the Royal 22e Régiment, and a tactical airlift detachment of 100 Air Force personnel and two CC-130 Hercules aircraft from 8 Wing Trenton to support the mission in East Timor. During the follow-on phase, Canada contributed staff officers who worked at UNTAET Headquarters in Dili, East Timor. Operation Toucan helped organize elections, support the new government, and re-established the rule of law.
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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