Designated multirole frigates by the Canadian Navy, the Halifax-class is made up of twelve destroyer-type ships of 4950 tons. Originally built between 1992 and 1997, they are undergoing mid-life upgrades to weapons and electronics. HMCS Fredricton and HMCS Vancouver have been operating in anti-terrorist roles in the Persian Gulf,[1] and HMCS Charlottestown is in the NATO task group to carry out Operation Unified Protector enforcing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 against the Muammar Gaddafi government of Libya.
They have an integrated command and control system based on the SHINPADS integrated processing and display system, supplied by Lockheed Martin Canada. It uses General Dynamics Canada UYK-501 workstations.
Their speed goes beyond the range usually associated with the "frigate" designation, 30 knots/55 kmph. They have a crew of 225 (or 195 without helicopter detachment embarked). [2]