On April 20, 2025, the Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class frigate, HMCS Ville de Québec (FFH 332), arrived in Plymouth, England, marking a significant milestone in its participation in the United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG) deployment, known as Operation HORIZON. The ship, which departed its home port of Halifax, Nova Scotia, on April 17, docked at Devonport’s 1 Wharf, welcomed by allied naval personnel and local observers. This arrival signals the start of a high-profile, multinational mission that will see HMCS Ville de Québec sail alongside allied warships from the UK, Spain, and other nations, from European waters to the Indo-Pacific region and back.
HMCS Ville de Québec, launched in 1991 and modernized under the Halifax-Class Modernization/Frigate Life Extension (HCM/FELEX) program between 2014 and 2015, is equipped for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and multi-role operations. The frigate boasts advanced combat and communication systems, including 16 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM), 8 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, a 57mm Bofors Mk 3 naval gun, and a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force. Upgrades to its AN/SQS-510 hull-mounted sonar and towed array enhance its underwater warfare capabilities, making it a vital asset to the CSG.
Commander Peter MacNeil, the ship’s commanding officer, emphasized the crew’s readiness: “The crew has worked incredibly hard to get the ship ready for Operation HORIZON, and to represent Canada and the Royal Canadian Navy globally—with some of the absolute finest people Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces has to offer.” The frigate’s 240-strong crew, including sailors and RCAF aviators, has undergone over a year of preparation for this deployment, which is expected to cover tens of thousands of kilometers.
Joining the UK Carrier Strike Group
HMCS Ville de Québec’s arrival in Plymouth aligns it with the UK-led CSG, centered around the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales. The task force includes other warships such as HMS Dauntless, HMS Richmond, and the Spanish Navy’s ESPS Mendez Nunez, with additional support from Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels. The deployment, dubbed CSG25, is designed to demonstrate military interoperability, strengthen alliances, and promote a rules-based international order, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Canadian frigate will integrate into multiple phases of the CSG’s journey, starting with operations off Europe’s coasts before proceeding to the Indo-Pacific. This extended collaboration offers a rare opportunity for Canada and the UK to deepen naval interoperability, operating together for longer than typical joint exercises. Luke Pollard, a UK observer, noted the multinational nature of the mission: “This deployment is multinational by design and will see allies operate together from UK waters to the Indo-Pacific and back again.”
A Symbol of Canada’s Global Commitment
The arrival of HMCS Ville de Québec in Plymouth underscores Canada’s commitment to international security and its Indo-Pacific Strategy, which emphasizes peace, stability, and cooperation in the region. The frigate’s participation in CSG25 builds on its storied history, including previous deployments for Operation Reassurance in the Mediterranean (2018–2019), Operation Nanook in the Arctic (2020), and disaster relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
As the only fully bilingual warship in the Royal Canadian Navy, with approximately 40% of its crew speaking French as their first language, HMCS Ville de Québec also represents Canada’s cultural diversity. Its motto, “Don de Dieu Feray Valoir” (I will be worthy), reflects the crew’s determination to uphold Canada’s naval legacy on this ambitious mission.
Looking Ahead
HMCS Ville de Québec was scheduled to depart Devonport on April 22, 2025, at 1200, following HMS Richmond’s departure at 1100, as the CSG begins its journey. Social media posts on X captured the enthusiasm surrounding the ship’s arrival, with images of the frigate in Plymouth Sound shared widely by naval enthusiasts and observers.
This deployment is poised to strengthen Canada’s strategic partnerships, enhance its naval capabilities, and project its commitment to global security. As HMCS Ville de Québec sails forward with the CSG, it carries the pride of the Royal Canadian Navy and the hopes of a nation dedicated to fostering peace and stability worldwide.