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Several capabilities, one platform: The Joint Support Ship
DND (Canada)/Canadian Forces web site ^ | (undated) | By Lt(N) H. Diane Grover

Posted on 07/28/2004 4:32:37 PM PDT by Clive

Several capabilities, one platform:The Joint Support Ship

By Lt(N) H. Diane Grover

When Prime Minister Paul Martin announced on April 14 a planned expenditure of $7 billion towards major capital purchases for the CF, it included one of the most innovative and transformational military acquisition any government has ever undertaken for the CF: The Joint Support Ship.

The $2.1-billion project to procure three multi-role Joint Support Ships (JSS) will not only help transform the Navy, it will usher in a new way of conducting joint operations that will lead transformational change within the CF.

The flexibility that is intended for this vessel, its sealift capability and ability to support deployed joint operations will enable the CF to engage in a much wider range of operations and as such these new ships will play a key role in the defence and security of Canada for the next 25 years or longer still.

Cost of new military capital projects: $7 Billion

Cost of three new Joint Support Ships: $2.1 Billion

Value of the Joint Support Ship to the Canadian Navy: PRICELESS The Joint Support Ship will be a hybrid vessel that will maintain the same underway support to naval task groups, that is already performed by the 35-year old Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment ships (AORs), but with the added capabilities of both sealift and afloat support to shore forces.

The CF currently has two AOR vessels providing critical logistics functions to both East and West Coast fleets, HMCS PROTECTEUR and HMCS PRESERVER, commissioned in 1969 and 1970 respectively. Both have performed exceedingly well in their three decades of service, but are nearing the end of their operational lifespan. Moreover, it has become evident that more robust capabilities are needed, ones that can only be found in a different class of ship.

A surge sealift capability and the provision of critical command and control functions to forces ashore will be realized by these state-of-the-art Joint Support Ships, providing a significant force generator for the CF. “We’ve been able to carry out these functions to a limited degree, but it has been on an ad hoc basis and has increased demands on the Navy. The JSS will combine several capabilities in one platform,” says Commander Dave Harper, JSS project director.

Not only will these ships enhance the Navy’s ability to safeguard Canada’s domestic marine security, they will greatly enhance Canada’s global presence, preserving the essential supply functions that are currently performed by the maturing AORs, while assuring Canada’s role as a leader in naval innovation and excellence.

In a conventional naval task group configuration, the command and control platform is provided by a destroyer. “However,” emphasizes Cdr Harper, “the world is changing and the demands on our Navy are also changing. The need for an afloat joint force headquarters aimed at forces ashore is apparent.” Cdr Harper further points out that once the JSS assumes this role it will provide vital capabilities in areas where a shore-based headquarters may not be operationally feasible.

As an active member of the global community, Canada has significant maritime interests. Our ability to respond to global incidents is founded on having a broad base of capabilities. While deployments of individual ships, submarines, and aircraft may be appropriate to certain situations, these must be undertaken on the premise that they at least be able to look after themselves, not to mention retaining its competence in task group operations.


TOPICS: Canada; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: hansisland

1 posted on 07/28/2004 4:32:38 PM PDT by Clive
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To: Great Dane; Alberta's Child; headsonpikes; coteblanche; Ryle; albertabound; mitchbert; ...

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2 posted on 07/28/2004 4:33:19 PM PDT by Clive
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To: Clive
What are they gonna provide underway replinishment and Command and Control for?

Combat Icebreakers?

So9

3 posted on 07/28/2004 4:35:59 PM PDT by Servant of the 9 (Screwing the Inscrutable or is it Scruting the Inscrewable?)
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To: Servant of the 9
The AORs have been deployed to various jobs including the East Timor operation and a few years ago to the Mississipi River to assist in flood disaster work. Although the designation is AOR, the ships are more often deployed independently as replenishment and supply vessels. The need for the new JSS ships has been demonstrated by the type of work that the AORs have been called upon to do.

Canada frequently deploys forces to peacekeeping operations and has done so since the Suez. Recent deployments include or have included, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, Haiti and the Golan Heights.

4 posted on 07/28/2004 4:52:12 PM PDT by Clive
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To: Servant of the 9

Flotilla of canoes on a beer run.


5 posted on 07/28/2004 4:52:25 PM PDT by headsonpikes (Spirit of '76 bttt!)
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To: Clive

Joint Support Ship

6 posted on 07/28/2004 5:17:21 PM PDT by Cannoneer No. 4 (I've lost turret power; I have my nods and my .50. Hooah. I will stay until relieved. White 2 out.)
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two 90%+ complete Kaiser T-AOs have been struck off and are available at “fair market value”.

7 posted on 07/28/2004 5:22:38 PM PDT by Cannoneer No. 4 (I've lost turret power; I have my nods and my .50. Hooah. I will stay until relieved. White 2 out.)
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To: Clive
Joint Support Ships (JSS) — formerly DND's ALSC Project Afloat Logistics & Sealift Capability Project
8 posted on 07/28/2004 5:39:43 PM PDT by Cannoneer No. 4 (I've lost turret power; I have my nods and my .50. Hooah. I will stay until relieved. White 2 out.)
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To: Servant of the 9

Actually, these new ships can transport a much longer kayak...


9 posted on 07/28/2004 5:43:22 PM PDT by sailor4321
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To: Clive

Canadian Navy:

4 IROQUOIS class (DDH) air defence/anti-submarine destroyers
3 active, 1 reserve - all over 30 years old
12 HALIFAX class (FFH) multi-purpose frigate
4 VICTORIA class (SSK) submarine(ex-HMS UPHOLDER class)
12 KINGSTON class (MM) Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel
2 PROTECTEUR class (AOR) multi-cargo supply ship
1 QUEST oceanographic research ship


10 posted on 07/28/2004 6:20:18 PM PDT by PAR35
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To: PAR35

The Mall in Edmonton has more subs than the CF Naval branch

OTOH - Thier CF snipers are top notch all around good guys.


11 posted on 07/28/2004 7:23:08 PM PDT by ASOC (You only have the freedoms you are willing to fight for today.)
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To: Clive

Woo hoo. Three more whole ships. [blows noisemaker]


12 posted on 07/29/2004 1:43:23 PM PDT by RansomOttawa
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