Considering Arctic Amphibious Ship
By Les Mader, 30 September 2026
Comments made over the years here in the Broadsides Forum and by some individuals connected with Canadian Naval Review have led me to understand that the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has no intention or plan to procure amphibious vessels for use in the Arctic or anywhere else. It was further understood that the RCN feels that it has so many other concerns (personnel shortages, finite shipbuilding capability, limited funding, etc) that it could not be expected to waste time and energy looking at nice-to-haves like an amphibious capability.
Given these ardently and repeatedly expressed views, I was extremely startled to discover the interview at the attached link on YouTube that was given by Vice-Admiral Topshee some two months ago when he was still Commander of the RCN. (“Designing The Future Royal Canadian Navy with Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dujFNrIVMJI) During some six minutes (from 39:05-45:00), Vice-Admiral Topshee discusses the procurement of an Arctic amphibious ship in terms that seem to indicate that the RCN is actively exploring/pursuing such a vessel.
From his comments, I have understood the following:
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Preview CNR Next Issue: Vol. 22 No. 2 (2026)
Alas, summer is over. But it’s not just snow and sleet and ice coming in the future – the fall issue of CNR is coming too! A new issue will be out soon. Here is a preview of what’s in the issue.
In his Editorial “The Art of Naval Thought,” Brian Santarpia notes that “the RCN dedicates relatively little effort to professional education in the foundations of strategic thought,” and that this is unfortunate. To start off the line-up of interesting articles, we have the winning essay of the 2026 CNMT essay competition. The author, C.A.M. Al Wahi, won with an impressive essay entitled “Vulnerable Arteries: Protecting Critical Subsea Infrastructure and the RCN’s Mandate.” Our second article, “A Submarine-First Royal Canadian Navy?” argues that, as Canada’s main strategic asset, submarines should receive more focus in the RCN. Our third article, “Slow Procurement is Canada’s Greater Risk,” outlines problems and solutions in the military procurement process from the perspective of a Canadian company. The next article, “Of Hulls and Sailors: Why Fleet Recapitalization Depends on Personnel Generation,” focuses on the importance of ensuring there are enough trained personnel as a crucial element of naval capability. The final article discusses HMCS Sackville and the ship’s recommissioning ceremony in the spring.
We have a good selection of Making Waves commentaries. There is material about the future US Arctic Security Cutters, discussion of the importance of trained personnel, underwater surveillance in the Arctic, and suggestions about the design of Canadian amphibious forces.
And, of course, we have our regular columns. In “Allies of Necessity: Japan and South Korea,” “A View from the West” looks at the uneasy relationship between two key players in the Indo-Pacific region. “Dollars and Sense” examines the shift from austerity to abundance in defence, and “Warship Developments” updates us on Tomahawks and aircraft carriers.
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Stay tuned. In a few weeks, the issue will be available to people who are lucky enough to be subscribers! It’s not too late for you to subscribe. See here for the Table of Contents.
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