On March 15, 2025, Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Canada’s top naval commander, provided a candid assessment of the Royal Canadian Navy’s current mission and strategic concerns during an exclusive interview with CBC News aboard the HMCS Margaret Brooke in Antarctica. Speaking to journalist Susan Ormiston, Topshee outlined the Navy’s operational focus, the implications of its fleet size, and growing apprehensions about the activities of China and Russia in both the Arctic and Antarctic regions. His remarks underscored the evolving geopolitical landscape and the challenges facing Canada’s naval capabilities.
Fleet Size and the Antarctic Mission
The HMCS Margaret Brooke, the first Canadian Navy vessel to sail to Antarctica, represents a significant milestone for the Royal Canadian Navy. Currently engaged in a scientific research expedition supporting 15 Canadian climate scientists mapping the Antarctic ocean floor, the ship exemplifies the Navy’s dual-purpose operations under international treaties that prohibit military vessels in the region without a scientific objective. Topshee emphasized that this mission was spurred by observations in the Arctic, stating, “As I looked at what we were doing in the North, and in particular, what we were seeing our adversaries doing in the North, we realized that … we can see climate change in the North … [and wondered] what’s going on in the South Pole.”
In the CBC interview, Topshee remarked on the Royal Canadian Navy’s efforts to build a fleet worthy of modern requirements: “I’d love to have shipyards like China has. In fact … [South] Korea’s yards would be fantastic. So we’re building the fleet that we need right now, with the commitment from the government — the 15 river-class destroyers, the potential acquisition of 12 … submarines. We’ve got six ships in this class, we’ve got two tankers coming as well. So we are building the fleet that we require. … So yeah, we might be a small navy, but we really have got global reach. In fact, HMCS Montreal last year did a round-the-world circumnavigation as part of its Indo-Pacific deployment.”
While the Navy boasts new assets like the Harry DeWolf-class Arctic and offshore patrol ships, Topshee has previously acknowledged significant challenges with fleet readiness. In late 2023, he warned that personnel shortages and aging vessels, particularly the Halifax-class frigates, put the Navy in a “critical state.” The Antarctic deployment of the Margaret Brooke, however, demonstrates an effort to extend the fleet’s reach despite these constraints, leveraging its six new patrol ships to explore both polar regions. Yet, with only around 8,300 Regular Force and 3,600 Reserve sailors supported by 3,800 civilians, the Navy’s capacity to sustain such expeditions alongside its broader commitments remains stretched.
Concerns About China and Russia
Topshee’s comments revealed a keen awareness of the strategic moves by China and Russia in polar regions, drawing direct parallels between the Arctic and Antarctic. In the Arctic, he noted an “increase in Russian capability” and referenced their “illegal and unprovoked invasion in Ukraine” as clear indicators of Moscow’s intent. For China, he cited “concerning indicators” such as their treatment of Canadian aircraft and responses to operations in the South China Sea, though he added a nuanced perspective: “I don’t know that they’re operating that differently from how we would operate if a Chinese task group came into Canadian waters. We would still go out with our ships and our aircraft to monitor what they were doing, just as they monitor what we do in their waters.”
In Antarctica, Topshee expressed surprise at the proximity of Russian and Chinese operations, stating, “I did not realize that the Russians had a base down here that was right beside the Chileans, and where exactly it was.” This observation, gained from the Margaret Brooke’s presence, highlights the Navy’s intent to gather intelligence on adversarial activities in the South Pole, mirroring concerns about resource exploitation and security in the Arctic. He suggested that the Antarctic mission was partly motivated by a desire to understand “what China and Russia have been doing in and around the Canadian North” and to compare it with their southern operations.
Antarctic and Arctic: A Tale of Two Poles
Topshee drew stark comparisons between the Arctic and Antarctic, emphasizing their shared strategic importance and vulnerabilities. In the Arctic, Canada faces growing interest from foreign actors in mineral resources and fisheries as warming temperatures make the region more accessible. He has previously noted that while the Northwest Passage may not become a viable commercial route, the high seas beyond Canada’s 200-mile nautical limit could become a contested zone.
In Antarctica, Topshee voiced concerns about the fragility of the current international agreement prohibiting militarization and mining, warning, “I am concerned that the whole agreement that we would not [militarize and mine Antarctica] … would, could change. And I don’t think that’s in our interest to allow that to change easily.” He underscored that “Antarctica belongs to no one,” yet “many countries are angling for a piece,” echoing Arctic tensions where sovereignty and resource claims are increasingly contested. The presence of the Margaret Brooke, he argued, strengthens Canada’s polar security by providing firsthand experience and fostering collaboration with South American navies familiar with the region.
Strategic Implications and the Navy’s Future
Topshee’s Antarctic visit and his broader commentary reflect a proactive stance amid strained resources. The Navy’s deployment to the South Pole, while scientifically driven, serves a dual purpose of enhancing Canada’s understanding of global polar dynamics—a perspective informed by Arctic challenges. However, with an aging fleet and recruitment struggles, the Navy’s ability to maintain a persistent presence in both regions remains uncertain. Topshee’s earlier calls for investment in new submarines and surface combatants, expected in the 2030s, suggest a long-term vision to bolster capacity, but the immediate focus rests on leveraging existing assets like the Margaret Brooke.
In conclusion, Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee’s remarks aboard the HMCS Margaret Brooke illuminate the Canadian Navy’s delicate balancing act: executing ambitious missions with a limited fleet while monitoring the expanding influence of China and Russia in polar arenas. His concerns about the potential militarization of Antarctica, paired with ongoing Arctic pressures, signal a call for heightened vigilance and investment to safeguard Canada’s interests in an increasingly contested global maritime domain.