1 June, 2026
Federal Fleet Services (FFS) has put up a webpage (www.retainasterix.ca) as part of their campaign to convince government to retain Motor Vessel Asterix, leased to the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) as a replenishment oiler (AOR). The webpage references Vice-Admiral Topshee's Coxford lecture (vic.utoronto.ca/future-students/vic-one/special-weekly-guest-lectures/coxford-lecture) and the graphic therein listing four Protecteur class oilers as part of RCN operations. Whilst the implication there is for Canada to order two more oilers using the Protecteur design under the Joint Support Ship (JSS) project, one can wonder whether other options are under consideration, options such as two replenishment-at-sea-capable Arctic Mobile Base vessels or another replenishment oiler design.
FFS noted the cost of each JSS project ship (~$5B), plus the desirability to keep Asterix's merchant mariners working in Canada, as parts of the rationale for retaining Asterix.
Whilst modern warships have greater endurance than those when oilers were first developed a century ago (and colliers before then), it is still more efficient to take fuel to ships on station rather than having them come off station to return to base to refuel. And many combatants, especially smaller and mid sized, need the variety of services and supplies other than fuel that a replenishment oiler can offer.
Royal United Services Institute of Nova Scotia (RUSI(NS)) has long questioned the implications of having only two oilers on RCN operations and government options. Four replenishment oilers would better support global deployments and long-endurance operations in Canada's three oceans.
This email was sent to select addressees on the RUSI(NS) defence associations list. A version of this email has been sent to senior Royal Canadian Navy, media and politicians.
See also: Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (PDF)
CAH Darlington
Commander, Royal Canadian Navy (retired)
Director, RUSI(NS)