Significant Operational Reductions Hit Navy

Budget shortfalls have forced the Canadian navy to significantly reduce its operational forces, reports the Ottawa Citizen.

The fleet of Kingston-class coastal defense vessels will be reduced from 12 to six ships and three Halifax-class frigates -- the Montreal, St. John's and Vancouver -- will be assigned to limited duties for domestic and continental missions, according to Vice Adm. Dean McFadden, the navy chief.

The combat systems on the frigates Toronto and Ottawa and...