Canadian Frigate Arrives At Sabah Naval Base

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The HMCS Ottawa is one of the Royal Canadian Navy’s 12 Halifax-class frigates, equipped with extensive anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare, and anti-air weapons and sensors. (HMCS OTTAWA pic)KOTA KINABALU: The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) frigate, HMCS Ottawa, arrived at the Royal Malaysian Navy’s (RMN) base in Teluk Sepanggar near here today.
Canadian high commissioner to Malaysia Wayne Robson said the HMCS Ottawa’s visit highlights Malaysia and Canada’s long-standing defence cooperation.
He said the two countries just celebrated 65 years of official diplomatic relations last year, and enjoyed a robust expanding defence and security relationship.
“The two nations signed a memorandum of understanding on security cooperation in 2013 and regularly collaborate in areas including military capacity building, counterterrorism, and weapons of mass destruction threat reduction.
“The RCN will meet with local RMN counterparts and stakeholders to promote collaboration and friendship between our two countries, including an on-board reception, ship tours, a friendly soccer match, and community outreach,” he told reporters at the base here today.
Robson said since its deployment in August, HMCS Ottawa had visited Japan, the Philippines and Thailand en route to Malaysia, and would remain in the region until November before returning to its home port in December.
“This is the third RCN ship visit to Malaysia in the last seven years. Previous visits by HMCS Winnipeg in January 2016 and September 2022 demonstrate Canada’s ongoing commitment to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific.
“Canada has also trained over 1,000 Malaysian first responders in how to respond safely to various threats, security incidents, and attacks.
“Apart from that, Canada has also contributed equipment to Malaysian security partners, including two rigid hull fender boats delivered to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency in 2014,” he said.
Meanwhile, HMCS Ottawa commanding officer Captain Sam Patchell said the ship was one of the RCN’s 12 Halifax-class frigates, equipped with extensive anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare, and anti-air weapons and sensors.
With an embarked air detachment operating a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter, HMCS Ottawa has 250 professional sailors, soldiers, and aviators. - FMT

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