Darwin, Australia – July 21, 2025 – His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Ville de Québec marked a significant milestone in military interoperability by completing a forward rearmament of Block II Harpoon Missiles at the port of Darwin, Australia, as part of Exercise TALISMAN SABRE 25. This joint operation between the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) underscores the deepening defence relationship between Canada and Australia, showcasing their ability to collaborate seamlessly in the Indo-Pacific region.
The rearmament, conducted before and after a live-fire missile exercise during TALISMAN SABRE, involved loading an exercise-use version of the Block II Harpoon Missile onto HMCS Ville de Québec, followed by the operational variant after the successful engagement of a ground-based target. The Harpoon Block II is an advanced, autonomous weapon known for its precision targeting capabilities, making it a critical asset for naval operations. This operation builds on the success of HMCS Vancouver’s rearmament in Broome, Australia, in 2024, which was the first of its kind for a Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) ship outside North America.
“Conducting this rearmament so far from home, with the invaluable support of our Australian partners, is a testament to the strong relationship and interoperability between our militaries,” said a CAF spokesperson. Vice Admiral Justin Jones, Chief of Joint Operations for the ADF, echoed this sentiment, noting, “Utilising Darwin to rearm a Canadian warship with conventional munitions is a significant achievement for the Australian Defence Force and our interoperability with close partners.”
Exercise TALISMAN SABRE 25, hosted biennially by Australia, is the largest multinational military exercise in the region, involving over 30,000 personnel from 19 nations. Running from July 13 to August 4, 2025, the exercise includes large-scale warfighting drills across land, air, sea, space, and cyber domains, with operations extending to Papua New Guinea for the first time. HMCS Ville de Québec, a Halifax-class frigate with approximately 240 crew members, is participating as part of Canada’s Operation HORIZON, which supports the government’s Indo-Pacific Strategy to promote peace, stability, and a rules-based international order. The ship is also sailing alongside the United Kingdom-led Carrier Strike Group 25 under Operation HIGHMAST, centered on the HMS Prince of Wales.
The rearmament in Darwin highlights the CAF’s growing logistical agility in deploying naval assets far from home. Lessons learned from the 2024 rearmament of HMCS Vancouver have refined this capability, enabling the RCN to maintain a sustained presence in the Indo-Pacific. “This rearmament is further proof of the Australian Defence Force’s growing capability to utilise northern bases to support our key partners,” Vice Admiral Jones added.
Canada’s participation in TALISMAN SABRE 25, with approximately 600 CAF personnel, represents its largest-ever deployment to the Indo-Pacific since the launch of Operation HORIZON. The contingent includes RCN sailors, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) assets for strategic and tactical airlift, and personnel from Canadian Forces Cyber Command, 3 Canadian Space Division, and Canadian Special Operations Forces Command. This broad spectrum of capabilities demonstrates Canada’s commitment to regional security and international cooperation, as outlined in the Joint Statement on Strengthening the Canada-Australia Defence Relationship.
“The deployment of HMCS Ville de Québec and our personnel to Exercise TALISMAN SABRE 25 showcases Canada’s readiness to operate alongside our allies and partners,” said General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff. “This exercise strengthens our ability to respond to evolving regional and global threats, ensuring a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”
The successful rearmament and participation in TALISMAN SABRE 25 reflect Canada’s strategic pivot toward the Indo-Pacific, reinforcing its role as a reliable defence partner. As global security dynamics evolve, such collaborative efforts with allies like Australia signal a robust commitment to collective security and interoperability, ensuring the CAF remains agile and combat-ready in an increasingly complex strategic environment.