HMCS Athabaskan repairs ‘entirely predictable’ says military analyst
Posted Oct 6, 2015 04:58:29 AM.
Last Updated Oct 6, 2015 11:05:29 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HALIFAX – Canada’s HMCS Athabaskan has been sidelined in the United Kingdom because of engine problems.
The Ottawa Citizen reports the ship’s latest problems came as it was travelling across the Atlantic Ocean on its way to take part in NATO military exercises.
In a statement to the Citizen, the Royal Canadian Navy said Athabaskan can safely remain at sea with its three remaining engines.
Canadian maintenance crews are on their way to work on the warship, which is expected to be out of commission for seven days while its fourth engine is replaced.
Military analyst Ken Hansen with Dalhousie University told The Rick Howe Show this was an entirely predictable outcome.
“She is currently the oldest commissioned warship in the world, when USS Enterprise was decommissioned she inherited that questionable honour,” he explained.
He said the normal lifespan for a naval warship is 25-years, HMCS Athabaskan is now 43-years-old.
Hansen thinks it will cost millions to repair her but said the government doesn’t have much choice because they can’t be sure they’d be able to get home otherwise.
He added that’s not the only reason we need to keep the Athabaskan around.
“There are now so many young naval people that need sea time to get their professional certifications and move up in the organization that there’s very few places left to jam them,” he said. “All the frigates that are operating are crammed with young trainees.”
Hansen said our aging fleet is a serious problem and this latest situation makes Canada look bad on the international stage.
“The government is interested in sending signals to the Russians about Canada’s military power, and especially our naval abilities, and this is sending the wrong message,” he explained.
The ship was ultimately headed to take part in two international military exercises called Joint Warrior and Trident Juncture, both of which involve numerous other NATO forces.
A minor fire on board the ship Sep. 1 off of Halifax was caused by insulating materials around the port engine, according to the Navy, and it was returned to sea the next day.
Athabaskan also had to be called back from deployment in July because of serious problems with its engines.
