Royal Canadian Navy to retire eight warships before end of the year

By Canadian Press on July 24, 2025.

HALIFAX — The Royal Canadian Navy plans to retire some of its older warships this fall.

The navy says eight of its 12 Kingston-class vessels will be removed from service following “paying off” ceremonies in Halifax and Esquimalt, B.C.

The ships, officially known as Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels, were built and launched in the 1990s.

They are primarily used for coastal patrols, search and rescue, law enforcement and mine detection.

The ships have been deployed to operations in the eastern Pacific, Caribbean, off West Africa and in European waters.

They have also taken part in many missions across Canada’s three oceans.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 24, 2025.

The Canadian Press