The Navy Today
The Gulf War

In 1990-1991, as the Cold War was ending, the navy played a central role in Canada's involvement in the United States-led international coalition that ousted Iraqi forces under Saddam Hussein from Kuwait.

Bofors 40mm Anti-Aircraft Gun

Canadian warships sent to the Persian Gulf received anti-aircraft guns on mountings like these to improve their defences.

A gunner (centre left) aims and fires the weapon, while a loader (centre right) loads clips of ammunition from racks (right) into the gun (left). Seen here on a power-driven "Boffin" mounting, the 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun first saw extensive use during the Second World War, and remained widely used afterwards. HMCS Protecteur, the supply ship deployed to the Gulf in August 1990, received two such weapons, originally from the aircraft carrier HMCS Bonaventure which had been decommissioned some 20 years earlier.

VR997.190.003
CFB Esquimalt Naval & Military Museum