Pacific Navy News

Archana Cini, Lookout Newspaper. Canada announced TKMS as the preferred supplier for its future submarine fleet, with negotiations now underway. The Canadian Patrol Submarine Project is expected to bring major investments in infrastructure, training, and personnel to CFB Esquimalt. Base leadership says the project will strengthen Canada's sovereignty while driving long-term growth on the West Coast. - Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt is set to play a central role in one of the largest defence procurements in Canadian history following a recent announcement that German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has been selected as the preferred supplier for Canada’s future submarine fleet.  Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the decision on July 6 from Halifax, confirming that the Government of Canada will now begin negotiations with TKMS to procure up to 12 submarines under the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project. South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean has been named as a reserve supplier should negotiations with TKMS not result in a final agreement.  At the same time at CFB Esquimalt, Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, described the announcement as “an important milestone” in the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, saying the decision ultimately followed “a rigorous, fair, and competitive procurement process.” Fuhr also said that “[t]oday’s decision reflects an outcome of [a] comprehensive evaluation process to deliver the best overall capability and value to Canada.”   Rear-Admiral (RAdm) David Patchell, Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific and Joint Task Force Pacific (MARPAC/JTF(P), also spoke on what the upcoming collaboration will mean for the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and B.C.   [caption id="attachment_347635" align="alignleft" width="600"] RAdm Patchell, Commander of MARPAC/JTF(P) speaks during the July 7 announcement at CFB Esquimalt. Photo: Cpl Brandon Beers, MARPAC Imaging[/caption] “At its core, this project is about sovereignty and ensuring that Canada builds a critical military capability,” said RAdm Patchell, noting that submarines provide capabilities unmatched by any other naval platform. “They operate discreetly. They provide...

Archana Cini, Lookout Newspaper. Contributions by MARPAC Public Affairs Lt(Navy) Robert (Bob) Seed returned to Oʻahu during RIMPAC 2026, revisiting the community that inspired his naval career. The story highlights his journey from Hawaiian high school student to Royal Canadian Navy officer. RIMPAC 2026 marks the 30th iteration of the exercise. - For Lieutenant(Navy) (Lt(Navy)) Robert (Bob) Seed, participating in Exercise (Ex) Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 has been more than contributing to the world’s largest multinational maritime exercise. It has also been a homecoming.  More than a decade after living on the Hawai‘ian island of Oʻahu as a teenager, Lt(Navy) Seed returned to familiar ground as a Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) officer, reconnecting with the school and community that helped shape the path leading him into service.  “This summer I had the fortunate opportunity to participate in the 30th iteration of RIMPAC 2026 based out of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam,” said Lt(Navy) Seed. “This is particularly special for me, as I graduated from high school on the Windward side of Oʻahu in 2016.”  Lt(Navy) Seed’s connection to Hawaiʻi began in 2014 when his family relocated to Kailua after his father accepted an exchange posting at Pearl Harbor. He spent his final two years of high school at Le Jardin Academy (LJA), a K-12 school nestled beneath the Koʻolau mountain range.  As a teenager attending LJA, Lt(Navy) Seed both joined the school’s varsity cross-country team and embraced Hawaiʻi’s paddling culture as a member of the outrigger canoe team.  “This is where I learned my love for water,” said Lt(Navy) Seed. “Some of the most exhilarating moments [while canoeing] were found at the end of a race, neck in neck with another boat returning to Magic Island. Everyone was exhausted but clutched in as the steersman would increase the team’s tempo, alter the boat to catch some surf, and secure...

Archana Cini, Lookout Newspaper. “There’s a lot of pride in doing your job properly. That was always the standard.”  – William (Bill) McIntyre  At 82 years old, William (Bill) McIntyre speaks about the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) with a clarity that suggests the sea never fully left him. Now attending the Veterans Health Centre day program at the Veterans Memorial Lodge, a Broadmead Care Home, McIntyre carries with him 32 years of service and an RCN career full of purpose.  Bill grew up on a farm in Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) as one of seven siblings in a rural household. Life there was shaped by early mornings, physical work, and the rhythm of a large, busy family. His father both farmed and fished, as did his brothers, but Bill was looking for something different. That difference came early, in July 1965, when he enlisted in the RCN at 19 years old.  “I didn’t like farming very much,” said Bill plainly. “The navy was a good way of making a living, and I liked the work.”   What began as a decision to leave farm life behind as a young adult then slowly became a career that would span more than three decades. Almost immediately, Bill entered an apprenticeship program in marine engineering, a structured but demanding path that would define the rest of his working life.  “It wasn’t just a short course,” he recalled. “You went to school for years — machine shop, steam equipment, diesels — all of it.” From auxiliary machinery and boiler room certification to engine room qualifications and eventually charge tickets, Bill worked his way through each stage without pause. By the time he completed his training, which took him through both land and sea, he had built a technical foundation that made him a vital part of every vessel...

Padre Capt Justin McNeill Welcome to From the Chaplain’s Desk, a new feature series that will showcase reflections from chaplains serving at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt. Each installment will offer personal perspectives from those who work closely with members of the Defence Team in times of challenge, transition, and everyday life. These contributions will shed light on the role of spiritual and emotional support within the Defence community, and offer guidance, listening, and presence across all stages of life spent in service. - As the weather continues to warm and the summer months start to peak over the horizon, preparations are once again underway to set sail into another busy season. With this time comes a renewed sense of vigilance for both our frigates and families.   Sailing doesn’t just take time, energy, and effort on the part of our sailors and other support staff, but also on all those that continue to support the work we do as members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Our friends and families, both near and far, also feel the weight of what we do. In addition to service, roles and responsibilities can also increase during this time with children on summer break, tasks arising at home, and pets and plants require nurturing.   As a result, it’s important to be reminded of the value of support. It’s also important to remind those that continue to offer support that they don’t have to do these things alone.   One of the benefits of life with the Defence Team is that we often train with the mentality that we never do these things alone or in isolation. Even when the thought of having a bit more space might be nice on occasion, there are always fellow sailors at our side, training, fixing, and fighting with us and for us. We are a team, and this goes for those that continue to support us when...