Canada extends service of Combat Support Ship Asterix through 2028.

According to a PR published by Newswire on August 19, 2024, the Government of Canada has extended the service of the Combat Support Ship (CSS) Asterix for an additional three years, securing the vessel's role in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) until at least January 2028.
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The commercial container ship MV Asterix. (Picture source: Canadian DoD)

This decision comes as part of the ongoing Provision of Services Agreement (PSA) with Federal Fleet Services (FFS), which supplies both the ship and personnel to operate and maintain it. Under this agreement, FFS operates the Asterix with a mixed crew of civilian and military personnel, ensuring seamless integration and operational efficiency.

About the ship

The MV Asterix is a vessel within the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), serving as an interim supply ship to fill the gap left by delays in the construction of Canada's Joint Support Ships (JSS). Originally built as a commercial container ship, it was converted by Davie Shipbuilding into a naval auxiliary vessel under Project Resolve and leased to the Canadian government by Federal Fleet Services.

The Asterix is equipped with advanced capabilities to support various naval operations. It features four replenishment masts, allowing it to refuel two ships simultaneously, and includes facilities to handle large helicopters like the CH-147 Chinook.

The ship also has substantial cargo capacity, including space for 38 ISO containers, many of which are refrigerated, and eight boats for various missions, such as disaster response and humanitarian aid. The vessel is further outfitted with a full hospital, capable of treating up to 60 patients, and has a power generation capacity sufficient to light a small city.

The Asterix has proven to be a reliable asset, participating in numerous NATO and allied operations without a single day of unscheduled downtime since its deployment in 2018.

Despite its success, Asterix has been at the center of political and strategic debates, particularly concerning its classification as a "true" military vessel.