Canadian Navy Eyes Ice-Capable Amphibious Landing Ships for Arctic Defence

As climate change accelerates the melting of Arctic ice and opens up new strategic vulnerabilities in Canada’s vast northern territories, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) is revisiting a long-dormant idea: the acquisition of amphibious assault ships tailored for polar operations.

Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander of the RCN, has recently commented on the concept of a Canadian-built, ice-strengthened vessel that could serve as a mobile base for deploying troops and equipment in remote, infrastructure-scarce regions. This proposal comes amid Canada’s broader push to ramp up defence spending and modernize its military capabilities in response to evolving global threats.

Reviving an Old Concept Amid New Realities

The notion of amphibious landing ships for the Canadian Navy is not entirely new. For over two decades, the idea has surfaced periodically but has consistently been sidelined by budgetary constraints and shifting priorities. In 2015, for instance, Canada explored purchasing Mistral-class amphibious assault ships from France after a deal with Russia fell through due to geopolitical tensions over Ukraine. However, those discussions never materialized into a concrete acquisition.

Today, the strategic landscape has shifted dramatically. With Arctic sea routes becoming more navigable and foreign powers like Russia and China increasing their presence in the region, Canada faces heightened pressure to assert sovereignty over its northern waters. The RCN’s current fleet, while capable, lacks specialized vessels for sustained operations in ice-covered areas without relying on limited port facilities. Topshee’s proposal aims to address this gap by envisioning a ship that can operate independently in harsh polar conditions.

A Viable Design and Capabilities?

According to Topshee, in a year-end interview with CBC News, the envisioned amphibious landing ship would be a Polar Class 2 vessel, designed to break through moderate ice thicknesses while maintaining operational effectiveness. This classification would allow it to navigate Arctic waters year-round, a critical feature given that most northern Canadian communities lack year-round ice-free ports—the nearest reliable option being in Nuuk, Greenland.

The ship would function as an “Arctic mobile base,” equipped to carry smaller landing craft—potentially hovercraft for enhanced mobility over ice and rough terrain—and helicopters for aerial support. This configuration would enable the rapid deployment of personnel, vehicles, and supplies directly from sea to shore, bypassing the need for prepared infrastructure.

Topshee emphasized the strategic value of such a capability in a recent interview: “The key value proposition of an amphibious ship is it can deliver capability from sea to shore without prepared port infrastructure, and that describes our North perfectly.”

He illustrated this with a hypothetical scenario: assisting a distressed community in the High Arctic during the depths of winter, such as in February, where traditional logistics would be severely hampered by ice and remoteness.

Further elaborating on the operational rationale, Topshee noted, “To sustain an operation up in the North, we sort of realized that some form of Arctic mobile base probably made a lot of sense, and that is effectively what an amphibious ship is.”

Preliminary discussions have already been held with major Canadian shipbuilders, including Davie Shipyard in Lévis, Quebec, and Seaspan in Vancouver, both of which are currently involved in constructing the Canadian Coast Guard’s new icebreaker fleet. Topshee reported that these builders have indicated a Polar Class 2 amphibious ship is “theoretically possible,” though no formal designs or contracts are in place yet.

Challenges and Fiscal Considerations

Despite the enthusiasm, Topshee has been cautious about raising expectations, describing the idea as “a conceptual thing” and a mere “thought exercise” at this stage.

There is no official policy commitment from the government, and the proposal remains exploratory. Historical precedents suggest that such ambitious projects often falter due to fiscal and institutional hurdles. Canada’s defence procurement processes are notoriously slow and prone to cost overruns, as seen with ongoing programs like the Canadian Surface Combatant frigates and new submarines.

Costs for such a vessel remain unspecified, but similar amphibious ships in other navies can run into the billions of dollars per unit, depending on size and capabilities. Timelines are equally vague, with no procurement process initiated. However, the idea could gain traction as part of Canada’s upcoming defence policy review in 2026, which will assess alignment with emerging threats. This review follows the current government’s recent commitment to increase defence spending to up to 5% of GDP by 2029 (with 3.5% allocated directly to the military and 1.5% to infrastructure), a significant jump from current levels.

Broader Context in Canadian Defence Modernization

The amphibious ship concept fits into a larger pattern of Canadian military upgrades. In July 2024, Canada announced plans to acquire up to 12 conventionally powered, under-ice-capable submarines to bolster maritime deterrence across its three coasts. Additionally, the RCN has received new Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS), such as the Harry DeWolf class, to enhance sovereignty patrols. These initiatives reflect growing concerns over Arctic security, where melting ice is not only opening trade routes but also exposing vulnerabilities to potential adversaries.

Experts within the defence community have mixed views. While some see the amphibious capability as essential for rapid response in remote areas, others prioritize addressing the RCN’s existing challenges, such as severe personnel shortages and aging fleets. In a 2023 statement, Topshee himself highlighted the “critical state” of the Navy, with 30-year-old Halifax-class frigates needing to serve until at least 2040.