The Kingston-class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels (MCDVs) are multi-role minor war vessels with a primary mission of coastal surveillance and patrol including general naval operations and exercises, search and rescue, law enforcement, resource protection and fisheries patrols.

Launched between 1995 and 1998, these ships are very flexible. Several types of mission specific payloads can be added to allow for rapid role change from one mission type to another such as a mechanical minesweeping system, a route survey system, and a bottom object inspection vehicle.

In the fall of 2025, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) has begun paying off the Kingston class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels.

READ: RCN to Pay Off Kingston-class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels

While looking forward to the introduction of new, modern warships to its fleet, the RCN has a robust plan in place to facilitate this transition, while maintaining excellence in training and operational capability. There is no loss of capability for the RCN as a result of the divestment of the Kingston class. Their missions and tasks will be redistributed to other existing ships and assets, and taken on by new platforms, capabilities and systems being introduced by the RCN.

Specifications

Displacement: 970 tonnes (full load)

Length: 55.3 metres

Beam: 11.3 metres

Draught: 3.4 metres

Engine: Diesel-electric: Two Jeumont DC electric motors each drive a Lips azimuthing thruster with a five bladed propeller, powered by four 600V AC alternators driven by Wartsila SCAM V12 Diesels.

The Kingston-class ship’s homeports are Esquimalt, British Columbia, and Halifax, Nova Scotia.

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