The Later Cold War
A Changing Fleet

Canada's navy changed and shrank in the latter part of the Cold War, but continued to face threats and meet alliance obligations. Despite the addition of some newer vessels, by the late 1970s it faced "rust-out" due to the gradual deterioration of ships and equipment.

HMCS Ojibwa

This is the Canadian submarine HMCS Ojibwa, one of three submarines that entered service with the Canadian navy between 1965 and 1968.

Built in the United Kingdom, all three were based on the diesel-electric Oberon class submarines being built for Britain's Royal Navy. Canada initially acquired Ojibwa, HMCS Okanagan, and HMCS Onondaga as "tame" submarines to train its surface ships in anti-submarine warfare. The "O-boats", named after the initial letters of their names, were later modified to improve their capabilities against Soviet submarines.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 19770522-003