Funding problems have prompted Canada's navy to carry out drastic cuts to its fleet, according to a letter from Vice-Admiral Dean McFadden.
Six of 12 defence patrol ships, which were built in the mid to late 1990s, are to be docked permanently under the plan. Three ships will be removed from service on the West Coast, and three on the East Coast.
In their place, three frigates will take up patrol missions. But the frigates will have their combat systems reduced.
Three of the patrol vessels are to be removed from service at CFB Halifax, which New Democrat MPP Peter Stoffer said was disappointing.
Stoffer said the federal Conservatives "should hang their heads in shame" over the navy's funding woes.
However, Defence Minister Peter MacKay said Ottawa has actually increased the navy's financial support.
"The reality is the navy is getting approximately $200 million more in their budget," MacKay told reporters. "That's up over last year, where they got an increase as well."
"There have been no final decisions taken," he added. "We regularly assess the navy's operational requirements with a view to ensuring that we're able to patrol all three coasts."
Defence analyst Dan Middlemiss pointed out that the service cuts were ironically taking place as the navy was celebrating 100 years of service.
"There's almost an element of Orwell's doublespeak when you hear,
Topic: Cuts coming to Canadian Navy?- CTV News (Read 994 times)