Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Montréal arrived in Western Europe on September 18 for three months of exercises with European and NATO partners.
Deploying as part of the Royal Canadian Navy’s overarching deployment Neptune Trident 17-02, HMCS Montréal is to take part in the US-led ballistic missile defense drill Formidable Shield, which is being held in Scottish waters between September and October.
In addition to Formidable Shield, Montréal will join the Royal Navy’s bi-annual multinational exercise Joint Warrior which will involve over 20 warships in addition to aircraft and marines.
During her three months in the North Atlantic, the frigate will also continue her experimentation activities associated with the X-Ship program and initiatives, which are focused on supporting future classes of ships such as the Canadian Surface Combatant.
The experimental ship – or X-Ship – program is designed to advance naval concepts in all areas of warship deployment, crewing and sustainment. Many of the trials conducted will focus on human factors such as variations of crew size and impacts on crew rest and performance, as well as some operational trials.