“The delivery of the future HMCS Frédérick Rolette, four months ahead of schedule and more than a year faster than the prior ship, is something we can all be proud of. Every member of the Irving Shipbuilding team is committed to delivering a quality product for the Royal Canadian Navy. This ship will serve Canada well for many years to come,” said Dirk Lesko, President, Irving Shipbuilding
During a ceremony at Halifax Shipyard, Dirk Lesko, Irving Shipbuilding President; Rear Admiral Josée Kurtz, Maritime Forces Atlantic and Joint Task Force Atlantic Commander; and Commander Jolene Lisi, HMCS Frédérick Rolette Commanding Officer, signed the ship’s documents. The ceremony also recognized the unveiling of the ship’s badge, bearing the image of a heraldic sea lion holding a saber in honor of Frédérick Rolette.
Following the ceremony, the ship departed Irving Shipbuilding’s pier to move to HMC Dockyard.
The six AOPS are named to honor prominent Canadian naval figures who served their country with the highest distinction.
Lieutenant Frédérick Rolette was a Canadian-born officer who served in the Provincial Marine of Upper Canada and distinguished himself during the War of 1812. When the war ended, Rolette returned to a hero’s welcome in Québec City and was presented a fifty-guinea sword of honor in recognition of his service. The historical Canton of Rolette, Québec, was established in 1868 in his honor.
Halifax Shipyard will deliver one AOPS per year to the Royal Canadian Navy, ending with the sixth ship in 2025. Two more AOPS variants are under construction for the Canadian Coast Guard. In July, Irving Shipbuilding began construction on the Production Test Module for the future River-class destroyers, on schedule to begin full-rate production in 2025. The River-class will be comprised of 15 destroyer ships built in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
