Canadian Warships Missing From NATO Naval Forces for First Time Since 2014

Returning sailors and their family and friends are seen as the HMC Ships Halifax and Montreal return from deployment to NATO's Operation Reassurance at the HMC Dockyard in Halifax on July 15, 2022. The Canadian Press/Kelly Clark

For the first time in eight years, Canadian warships are not involved in either of two NATO naval task forces charged with patrolling European waters.

Canada had been a consistent presence in the naval groups since 2014, deploying at least one Halifax-class frigate to protect and defend the North Atlantic and Mediterranean.