French naval ships in Halifax let Canada do some window shopping

The arrival of two French naval ships in Halifax Harbour for joint exercises gives France a chance to showcase just what their equipment can do, as Canada continues to search for designs for its new combat vessels.

“There’s billions at stake here,” says Dalhousie University political science professor Ken Hansen, a retired navy commander who has written extensively on Canada’s military.

The Mistral, an amphibious assault ship and helicopter carrier, and La Fayette, a frigate, are now docked in Halifax. Canadian soldiers from Valcartier, Que., will board the Mistral and sail to the Gulf of St. Lawrence and St. Lawrence River later this week. They will practise disembarking on a Gaspe beach.

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