Vigilance OPV design for Canada by VARD
Tailored to the needs of the Royal Canadian Navy’s future fleet, Vigilance strikes the balance between flexibility, adaptability, and size, while maintaining the life-cycle cost advantages VARD’s naval designs are known for. The vessel has been conceived for high-tempo sovereignty missions and engineered for global deployment and forward basing abroad.
There is not really a lot of information here.
They are to replace the Kingston Class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels, which have been used to do drug interdiction in the Caribbean with USCG Law Enforcement teams doing the boardings. It is a class of twelve ships so there may be that many replacements, but also possibly fewer.
USCGC Escanaba (WMEC 907) and USCGC Richard Snyder (WPC 1127) practice maneuvering with the Royal Canadian Navy’s Kingston Class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel HMCS Goose Bay (MM 707) in the Davis Strait on Aug. 13, 2021. (Photo courtesy Royal Canadian Navy)
There is no indication of size but there is a clue in the identification of the rendering that accompanied the post, “VARD-7-075-Vigilance-Offshore-Patrol-Vessel-770×410.jpg”. Using VARD’s naming convention this is a “7 series” ship meaning “Naval and Security” that is about 75 meters (246 feet) long. Given the intention to employ them “forward basing abroad,” particularly as a Pacific nation, limiting the size to only 75 meters may be unwisely parsimonious. A larger ship would be both more capable in adverse weather conditions and more adaptable to future requirements. The Kingston class are only 55.31 m (181 ft 6 in) overall, so 75 meters would be an upgrade, but it is still a very small OPV, particularly if it is to operate helicopters. It would be similar in size to Malta’s P71 or the Danish Knud Rasmussen class.
If the ship is in fact 75 meters in length, then the flight deck seen in the fendering does appear relatively short for landing a helicopter, especially since Canada’s Navy and Air Force do not operate any small helicopters that might be operated from the ships. The logo that accompanies the post may suggest that the flight deck is for unmanned air systems rather than helicopters. The UAS in the logo appears to be the Swedish built UMS Skeldar V-200, known as CU-176 Gargoyle in Canadian Service. This UAS is also in service with the Belgian, German, Netherlands, and Spanish Navies.
UAV SKELDAR V-200 in German service, tail marking 99+03, at ILA Berlin Airshow 2022. Photo credit: Boevaya mashina.
The gun seen in the rendering suggest a 30mm Mk38 Mod4. In view of the fact the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship is armed only with a 25mm Mk38 Mod2/3 that would to conform to past policies. The same gun is expected to be on the new Canadian frigate.
Looking at VARD’s design catalog, I see some resemblance to their 72 meter and 85 meter designs.
Video below added as late addition, thanks to Dave.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
Query: When a CGLDET is deployed aboard a HMCS, are they provided the same customary ration that Canadian sailors enjoy?
Chuck,
I would think Canada would go along the Lines of the Royal Australian Navy’s Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel or even the Royal Navy’s River class OPV batch 2
To build the ship with the intention of using unmanned systems is probably a good one, but the size would seem to unnecessarily limit future options. If as I believe they have cut off the option of operating helicopters from the ship, I don’t think it is wise. In addition to not being able to operate helicopters it also means there is less real estate to use for containerized systems.
But would Canada go along the lines of the Australia’s OPV or UK’s OPV
Those designs are not optimized for unmanned system, although the Australian OPV looks to have some potential for using unmanned system. Both have a large flight deck that can be exploited for unmanned systems. There is no particular reason for Canada to adopt either the Australian or Royal Navy designs. They could just as easily modify the VARD 100 meter design.
Hi Chuck, there are some more relevant pictures of a complete model of this design on the CANSEC website. The Canadian Security Conference is being held in Ottawa this week.
@ David, Could you give us a link?
@Dave, added the video to the post to make it more accessible. Thanks.
Here is a link to VARDS Youtube video of their proposal.
@Dave, Thanks, that does seem to confirm the flight deck is exclusively for unmanned systems. Also provides a much clearer picture of the ship’s layout.
Keep in mind this is only one proposal. There will probably be others, but this does no doubt reflect the requirements as they are understood by the consortium making the proposal.
Still no information on speed or even dimension, though the 72 meters looks to be correct.
Canada also putting more emphasis on the Pacific. https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2023/06/03/canada-boosts-indo-pacific-naval-deployments-military-engagements/
Pingback: VARD’s “Vigilance” 75 meter OPV Design | Chuck Hill's CG Blog
American Bureau of Shipping Joins VARD OPV Project
https://seawaves.com/american-bureau-of-shipping-joins-vard-opv-project/
Apparently, this project is still active.
Vard Marine Inc. Welcomes Serco into the Team Vigilance Preferred Suppliers Program – Vard Marine
VARD Welcomes Dominis Engineering to the Team Vigilance Preferred Suppliers Program – Vanguard (vanguardcanada.com)
Vard Marine Inc. Welcomes Glamox Inc. (Canada) into the Team Vigilance Preferred Suppliers Program – Vard Marine
Pingback: “Coast Guard, Royal Canadian Navy offload $44.2 million worth of drugs in San Diego” –D11 / Canada’s Kingston Class | Chuck Hill's CG Blog