Canadian vessels move to Baltic after brief Portsmouth stop

HMCS Kingston and Summerside, two Kingston class coastal defence vessels of the Royal Canadian Navy, left HMNB Portsmouth today after a short stop during their European deployment.

Both ships’ companies had the opportunity to recuperate after a busy transit across the Atlantic and prepare for an upcoming NATO exercise.

The pair have most recently been in Londonderry, taking part in a Battle of the Atlantic memorial event, after leaving their home base of Halifax earlier this month. They now head to the Baltic Sea to take part in the annual Baltops exercise with UK and other NATO forces.

Commanding Officer of HMCS Summerside, Lieutenant Commander Jeffrey Anderson CD, said: “Portsmouth has been a superb host to us as we stopped en route to participating in the NATO exercise Baltops in the Baltic, and I look forward to returning in the future.

“Our two navies share a rich history, and it was a pleasure to receive such a warm welcome upon entering harbour. We were impressed to see HMS Queen Elizabeth come alongside prior to her departure overseas. We wish her fair winds on her deployment.”

HMNB Portsmouth and Canadian Forces Base Halifax have a close relationship, and that was most recently demonstrated when the two cities held a virtual trade and engagement mission which commanders of both bases participated in.                   

Lt Cdr Greg Zuliani CD, Commanding Officer of HMCS Kingston, said: “In many ways, Portsmouth and Halifax are very similar and equally important to our respective navies.

“For us, this port visit has been an opportunity to recharge after a busy schedule crossing the Atlantic from Halifax. Our crews now look forward to our upcoming participation in Baltops along with our NATO partners and allies. We truly appreciate the hospitality that HMNB Portsmouth has extended to our crews and hope to return again.”

Next stop for the 55-metre ships is Copenhagen, Denmark. Now reaching its 50^th iteration, Baltops is the premier annual maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic region, designed to enhance interoperability and demonstrate NATO and partner forces resolve there.