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OTTAWA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Two Canadian warships departed from Esquimalt Harbour on Monday to participate in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), the world's largest international maritime exercise, said the Canadian Defense Ministry.
The two warships are Halifax-class frigates Her Majesty's Canadian Ships (HMCS) Calgary and Vancouver. RIMPAC will take place from June 30 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California.
Joining the Halifax-class frigates will be Kingston-class coastal defense vessels HMCS Saskatoon and Yellowknife and they will depart next week for the waters off Southern California.
Beyond their exercise responsibilities, the Kingston-class warships will also carry out testing and exercises using advanced mine countermeasure equipment, thereby reducing risks to sailors and warships while increasing interoperability with allied nations.
HMCS Calgary and Vancouver will test weapon systems and upgrades to their equipment. RIMPAC will allow the Canadian warships to test electronic countermeasures designed to better protect sailors and warships operating in war zones, and fire Evolved Sea Sparrow and Harpoon missiles as well as heavyweight torpedoes to increase the warfighting capabilities of the Halifax-class warships.
"Participation in RIMPAC allows the Royal Canadian Navy to work together with our partner nations while providing unique training opportunities for our sailors to maintain and enhance operational readiness. These opportunities allow our sailors to continue to develop and deepen partnerships with countries from the Asia-Pacific region and beyond," said Jeff Zwick, commander of the Canadian Fleet Pacific.
The Canadian Pacific Fleet is home to 11 warships and two submarines.
