HMCS Regina will be sporting a new paint scheme to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic.
The Halifax-class frigate is currently being painted in the style of World War 2 era “dazzle” camouflage. As of Saturday, the port side of the vessel was completed, with the starboard side to be completed pending ideal weather conditions.
Sub-Lieutenant Michaël X. Déry with Public Affairs said that the paint scheme is in recognition of the Canadian contribution to a key naval effort of the war that saw convoys constantly attacked by German U-Boats. “Over 33 ships were lost and approximately 2,000 sailors,” said Déry.
HMCS Moncton, a Kingston-class ship that is part of the Atlantic fleet will also be painted in dazzle camouflage.
Déry said the paint scheme was used to disrupt visual targeting systems. “The idea behind disruptive paint schemes is to make it difficult to determine what class of ship it is, how fast it’s going, and what distance it’s at,” said Déry. “Nowadays, we use radar and other systems to target. Back then they used a system of reflective mirrors.”
HMCS Regina will be show off her new camouflage in Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2020 (RIMPAC) next summer which will be the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise.
Tim Ford
