The Kingston class consists of 12 Canadian Forces Maritime Command ships. These Maritime Coastal Defense Vessels (MCDV) were built and launched in the mid-1990s, These 12 multirole minor war vessels are crewed primarily by naval reservists. Their main missions are coastal surveillance, sovereignty patrol, and training.

General characteristics

• Propulsion: Dual Z-drives operated from 2 electric motors fed by 4 diesel alternators
• Length: 55.3 m
• Beam: 11.3 m
• Draft: 3.4 m
• Displacement: 970 tonnes
• Speed: in excess of 15 knots
• Complement: Minimum complement is 31, up to 47 personnel can be embarked dependent on payload
• Armament: 40mm Bofors, 2x .50 cal mounts

Payloads: Modular payloads can be fitted mission dependent

• • Payloads include:
• Klein and Macdonald-Detwillier Route Survey Towfish systems
• DSIS - Deep Sea Intervention System (deep water remotely operated vehicle)
• Phantom Remotely operated Vehicle
• SUBSAR - Submarine Rescue package
• Diving support
• Accommodations Payload

Other payloads are undergoing development

Design of the Kingston class

The Kingston Class patrol vessels have some admirable qualities. But they represent some design compromises.

Their main armament, the bofors 40 mm cannon, are surplus equipment, dating back to World War II.

While the Z-drive makes the Kingston class vessels maneuverable, comparable patrol vessels of other nation's are considerably faster.

list of Kingston class vessels

• HMCS Brandon
• HMCS Edmonton
• HMCS Glace Bay
• HMCS Goose Bay
• HMCS Kingston
• HMCS Moncton
• HMCS Nanaimo
• HMCS Saskatoon
• HMCS Shawinigan
• HMCS Summerside
• HMCS Whitehorse
• HMCS Yellowknife

External links

• SFU site describing the Kingston class.