Canadian Navy commissions fifth Harry DeWolf-class AOPV

The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has welcomed HMCS Frédérick Rolette, the fifth Harry DeWolf-class Arctic and offshore patrol vessel (AOPV), into naval service with a commissioning ceremony.

As informed, the ceremony took place on June 13, 2025. The naming ceremony for HCMS Frédérick Rolette took place in May 2024, and the ship was delivered in August 2024.

The ship is named in honour of Lieutenant Frédérick Rolette, a Canadian-born officer and naval hero of various actions, ashore and afloat, during the War of 1812, including command of the ship General Hunter.

“To assert our sovereignty, we will need a strong and sustained presence along our three coasts. The HMCS Frédérick Rolette and its crew is integral to that objective – asserting our sovereignty in Arctic and coastal waters,” David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defense, commented.

“As His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Frédérick Rolette is welcomed into the fleet, we look forward to each and every opportunity we will have to sail on this great ship, both at home and abroad,” Commander Jolene Lisi, Commanding Officer, HMCS Frédérick Rolette, added.

AOPVs are known as the Harry DeWolf class, named in honour of Vice-Admiral Harry DeWolf, a Canadian wartime naval hero. The first in its class, HMCS Harry DeWolf, was delivered to Canada on July 30, 2020, and was officially commissioned into RCN service on June 26, 2021.

The vessel measures 103.6 metres in length with a beam of 19.0 metres, offering a stable platform for operations in a variety of maritime conditions. Designed for efficiency in open water, it can achieve speeds of up to 17 knots. The ship carries a core crew of 65 personnel, with additional capacity for 20 embarked forces, and boasts an impressive endurance of 120 days at sea. With a range of 6,800 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 14 knots, it is well-suited for extended deployments.

Power and propulsion are delivered via an integrated diesel-electric system, which supports quiet and efficient operation. A bow thruster enhances manoeuverability, allowing the vessel to berth without the assistance of tugs.

For added protection in harsh Arctic environments, the ship features an enclosed Fo’c’sle and cable deck that shield critical foredeck machinery and crew from the elements. Retractable active fin stabilizers contribute to improved stability by reducing roll in rough seas.

Additionally, the vessel is capable of operating and housing a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter or a smaller utility helicopter, enhancing its operational flexibility.

All currently serving members of the Harry DeWolf class are well equipped to provide an armed presence that can conduct surveillance operations, contribute to humanitarian assistance, emergency response, and disaster relief.

The sixth and final AOPV, HMCS Robert Hampton Gray, is currently in production and is expected to be delivered by August 2025.