HMCS Regina (FFH-334)

History of the HMCS Regina (FFH-334)

The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) operates 12 Halifax-class combat frigates, including the HMCS Regina (FFH-334), commissioned in 1993. Originating from the late Cold War, the Halifax class was initially planned as a 20-ship fleet, but cost overruns and delays led to the construction of 12 frigates in two batches. The HMCS Regina, the fifth in its class, underwent a retrofit from May 2015 to April 2016 to extend its service life, including upgrades to helicopter facilities and various electronic systems.

Despite its Cold War design, the HMCS Regina lacks the sleek lines of modern stealth frigates, featuring protrusions, an exposed mainmast, and a relatively tall funnel. The frigate's versatility allows it to engage in various missions, such as airspace interdiction, deterrence, escort support, and anti-submarine warfare. Equipped with a helipad, the ship can carry the Sikorsky CH-148 Tornado, enhancing its over-the-horizon capabilities and anti-submarine warfare potential.

Powered by a combined diesel or gas (CODOG) arrangement, the HMCS Regina utilizes two GE LM2500 gas turbines and a SEMT Pielstick marine diesel unit. With a crew of 225 members, the ship can reach speeds exceeding 30 knots and has a range of up to 9,500 nautical miles. Armed with radar and sonar systems, as well as a variety of missiles and conventional weapons, the frigate has maintained a low-profile sailing career, participating in naval exercises with Canadian and Allied forces in the Pacific and Middle East regions as of 2020.

Specification

BASIC

Name: Regina

Builder: MIL-Davie Shipbuilding, Lévis

Laid down: 6 October 1989

Launched: 25 January 1992

Commissioned: 30 September 1994

Refit: HCM/FELEX May 2015 – April 2016

Homeport: CFB Esquimalt

MMSI number: 316148000

Callsign: CGAE

Fate: In active service

Characters

Sea Bombing

Maritime bombardment/attack of surface targets/areas primarily through ship-based ballistic weapons.

Land Assault

Littoral attacks against surface targets primarily through ship-based missiles/missile weapons.

Sea Patrol

Active patrolling of critical waterways and sea areas; also serves as a local deterrent against air and maritime threats.

Airspace Denial/Deterrence

Neutralization or deterrence of flying elements by airborne missile weapon ballistics.

Fleet Support

Provide support (fire or materiel) to major surface fleets in blue water environments.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 440.0 feet (134.11 m)

Ray: 54.0 feet (16.46 m)

Draft: 23.0 feet (7.01 m)

Shift: 5,500 t

Power and Performance

Installed Power: CODOG (combined diesel or gas): 2 x 47,500hp GE LM2500 gas turbines and 1 x 8,800hp SEMT Pielstick marine diesel engine on 2 stern shafts.

Surface Velocity: 30.0 nodes (34.5 km/h)

Area: 9,472nm (10,900 miles | 17,542 kilometers)

Weapons

1 x 57 mm Bofors Mk. 3 turret deck gun.

16 x Evolved Sea Sparrow Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (SAM).

8 x RGM-84 "Harpoon" anti-ship missiles.

1 x 20mm Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS).

24 x MK. 46 torpedoes.

6 x 12.7mm Heavy Browning Machine Guns (HMG).

Aircraft

1 x Sikorsky CH-148 Tornado naval helicopter, supported by the stern helipad.