New Naval Security Team for RCN
The Royal Canadian Navy has announced plans to form a Naval Security Team (NST) to enhance the safety and security of its ships and personnel while on deployment.
The team is being formed to help relieve the force protection burden placed on a ship’s company when deployed, leaving crew to focus on their key mission set.
The NST will be composed primarily of naval reservists and will include a full-time command team to ensure personnel, training and equipment are available for deployment.
The 30-50 personnel strong team will provide port force protection and host nation liaison, along with supporting intelligence requirements in foreign ports.
Training of the team will be tailored to meet specific mission requirements; namely use of force, rules of engagement training, more advanced weapons training, small boat tactics, communications, deployed logistics and liaison skills.
Commander Jeffrey White, Officer-in-Charge of the NST concept, said: ‘The NST starts with a command and support cell, and then has other teams attached like Lego blocks as the mission dictates. These attached layers will include a security or 'force protection' section, a tactical boat section, a mobile repair team and intelligence support.’
The inaugural NST will be deployed in the Spring/Summer of 2017 to support ships as part of Westploy, an operation aimed at building strong ties between the RCN and the navies of Asia-Pacific countries, while also promoting peace and security in the Pacific region.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
-
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.
-
Australia commissions HMAS Arafura three-and-a-half years behind schedule
The Royal Australian Navy has finally commissioned the first Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel – more than three years behind schedule – highlighting the programme’s delays, design compromises and ongoing industrial restructuring.
-
Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates
The Italian Navy is being refreshed with two new ships ordered, while in the past six months steel was cut for a new frigate, an enhanced frigate was delivered and Horizon-class frigates passed a design review.
-
US Navy foresees additional delays in the Columbia-class programme
After estimating that the first Columbia-class submarine would be delivered 16 months late, the US Navy has recently confirmed that an additional month will be required to complete its construction.