The Royal Canadian Navy has officially taken delivery of its sixth and final Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS), the future HMCS Robert Hampton Gray from Irving Shipbuilding. The handover ceremony took place at Halifax Shipyard in Canada, where representatives from Irving Shipbuilding and the Canadian Forces signed the vessel’s documentation before the ship departed for HMC Dockyard.

The ship is named after Lieutenant Robert Hampton Gray, a Canadian naval officer who served as a pilot in the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm during the Second World War. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his role in an air strike against the Japanese destroyer HIJMS Amakusa in 1945, becoming the only member of the Royal Canadian Navy to receive the honor during the war.

Since 2019, Halifax Shipyard has delivered one AOPS per year to the Navy. Two additional AOPS variants are being constructed for the Canadian Coast Guard. In April, Irving Shipbuilding also began work on the first of 15 River-class destroyers, the future HMCS Fraser, under the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

Statements from officials:

Dirk Lesko, President of Irving Shipbuilding, said:

“The future HMCS Robert Hampton Gray stands as a powerful tribute to a Canadian hero and a testament to the skill and commitment of our exceptional workforce. Irving Shipbuilding Inc. continues to demonstrate the success of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, and this vessel is a proud reflection of that progress and sovereign capability.”

Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, stated:

“With today’s delivery of HMCS Robert Hampton Gray, a ship proudly bearing the name of a Canadian Second World War hero, our government has successfully delivered the first class of ships built for the Royal Canadian Navy through the National Shipbuilding Strategy. I was pleased to visit Irving Shipbuilding and see HMCS Robert Hampton Gray, where I witnessed firsthand the exceptional work of our Canadian shipbuilders, skilled workers whose expertise are delivering world-class vessels for our Navy. The Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships have significantly enhanced Canada’s ability to protect our sovereignty and participate in critical operations alongside our allies, particularly in the Arctic. We will continue to invest in the infrastructure, technology, and equipment that our Navy needs, ensuring a stronger, more secure future for all Canadians.”

Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, added:

“Delivering the sixth and final Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship to the Royal Canadian Navy marks a proud and exciting milestone under the National Shipbuilding Strategy. This achievement reflects the dedication and expertise of the skilled workers in our world-class shipbuilding industry, who have constructed a class of modern, versatile vessels that are equipping our Navy to protect our country in a wide range of operations.”

Specifications of the future HMCS Robert Hampton Gray:

Length: 103.6 metres

Beam: 19.0 metres

Speed (open water): 17 knots

Range: 6,800 nautical miles at 14 knots

Endurance: 120 days

Crew: 65 plus 20 embarked forces

Integrated diesel-electric power and propulsion

Bow thruster for maneuvering without tug assistance

Retractable fin stabilizers for roll reduction

Flight deck and hangar capacity for a CH-148 Cyclone or a small utility helicopter