View source for MV Asterix

{{Short description|Canadian commercial container ship}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin
}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = File:MV Asterix departs Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, during RIMPAC 2018-2.jpg
| Ship caption =MV ''Asterix'' in July 2018
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Ship flag = 
| Ship name = ''Asterix''
| Ship owner = *Federal Fleet Services Inc. (as of October 2015)
* Capital Ship Management (before October 2015)
| Ship operator = Capital Ship Management (before October 2015)
| Ship route = 
| Ship ordered = 
| Ship builder = [[Lloyd Werft Wismar]]
| Ship original cost = 
| Ship yard number = 147
| Ship way number = 
| Ship laid down = 21 October 2008
| Ship launched = 27 January 2009
| Ship completed = 1 May 2010
| Ship renamed = *''Amorito'' October 2010 – November 2013
* ''Neermoor'' June–October 2010
* ''Cynthia'' early 2010 – June 2010
| Ship acquired = 
| Ship maiden voyage = 
| Ship in service = 2010–2015
| Ship registry = * {{flag|Liberia|civil}} 2010–2015
* {{flag|Canada|civil}} 2015
| Ship out of service = October 2015 – January 2018
| Ship identification = *{{IMO Number|9348182}}
* {{MMSI Number|636014884}}
* Callsign: A8XE9
| Ship fate = 
| Ship status = Converted to military supply ship by Davie Shipbuilding/Federal Fleet Services and leased to the Government of Canada
| Ship notes = 
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = title
| Ship country = Canada
| Ship flag = {{Shipboxflag|Canada|civil}}
| Ship name = ''Asterix''
| Ship namesake = 
| Ship acquired = 2015
| Ship commissioned = 6 March 2018
| Ship decommissioned = 
| Ship identification = *{{IMO Number|9348182}}
* {{MMSI Number|316030879}}
* Callsign: CFN7327
| Ship motto = 
| Ship nickname = 
| Ship honours = 
| Ship status = In service
| Ship notes = 
| Ship badge = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Header caption = (as built)
| Ship type = [[Container ship]]
| Ship tonnage = *{{GT|18,199}}
* {{DWT|23,792}}<ref name=Stats>{{cite web|title=Asterix Statistics |url=http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/details/ships/shipid:755049/mmsi:636014884/imo:9348182/vessel:ASTERIX |website=MarineTraffic |accessdate=13 September 2015}}</ref>
| Ship displacement = 
| Ship length = {{convert|182.52|m|ftin|abbr=on}} [[Length overall|oa]]<ref>{{citation|title=M/V Miltiadis Junior III + M/V Amorito – 1700 TEU Container Vessels |publisher=Capital Ship Management Corporation }}</ref>
| Ship beam = {{convert|25.2|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship height = 
| Ship draught = {{convert|9.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship depth = 
| Ship decks = 
| Trial length = 
| Ship power = MAN 7S60 MC-C Mk8, {{convert|16,660|kW|hp|abbr=on}}
| Ship propulsion = 1 fixed propeller, 1 bow thruster
| Ship speed = {{convert|20.5|kn}}
| Ship capacity = 
| Ship crew = 24
| Ship notes = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Header caption = (as converted)
| Ship type = Auxiliary [[Replenishment oiler|replenishment vessel]]
| Ship displacement = 26,000 tonnes (full load)<ref name="federalfleet1">{{cite web |url=http://federalfleet.ca/2016/06/02/resolve-class-aor/ |title=Resolve Class AOR |website=federalfleet.ca |accessdate=16 June 2017}}</ref>
| Ship length = {{convert|182.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name=fleetmon>{{cite web |url=http://www.fleetmon.com/en/vessels/Asterix_35337 |title=Asterix (container ship) |website=fleetmon.com |accessdate=10 November 2015}}</ref>
| Ship beam = {{convert|25.2|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name=fleetmon/>
| Ship draught = {{convert|7|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship propulsion = 1 engine<ref>{{cite web|title=Details for registered vessel ASTERIX (O.N. 839345)|url=http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/4/vrqs-srib/eng/vessel-registrations/details/839345|website=Transport Canada - Vessel Registration|accessdate=22 May 2018}}</ref> plus retractable bow thruster
| Ship speed = >{{convert|20|kn|lk=in}}
| Ship range = >{{convert|10000|nmi|km|abbr=on}}<ref name=MAS/>
| Ship capacity = *400 tonnes ({{convert|400|m3|L}})/day of fresh water<ref name=cnw>{{cite press release |url=http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/resolve-class-aor-544001612.html |title=Resolve-Class AOR |publisher=Canada Newswire |date=9 November 2015 |accessdate=13 November 2015}}</ref>
*F76 marine diesel: {{convert|10497|m3|L|abbr=on}}
*F44 aviation fuel: {{convert|1332|m3|L|abbr=on}}<ref name="federalfleet1"/>
| Ship boats = *4 × [[RHIB]]s
*2 × Fast rescue craft
*2 × [[Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel|LCVP landing craft]]<ref name="federalfleet1"/>
*2 × [[Lifeboat (shipboard)|Lifeboat]]s
| Ship crew = 150
| Ship complement = 350 <small>(HaDR)</small><ref name="federalfleet1"/>
| Ship sensors = 
| Ship EW = 
| Ship armament = *(provisions [[for but not with|for, but not fitted with]])
* 3 × [[Phalanx CIWS]]<ref name=CIWS>{{cite press release |url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/the-royal-canadian-navys-new-mothership-sails-on-time-and-to-budget-666596503.html |title=The Royal Canadian Navy's new mothership sails, on time and to budget |publisher=Canada Newswire |date=9 November 2015 |accessdate=26 December 2017}}</ref>
| Ship aircraft = *2 × [[Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone]]s
| Ship aircraft facilities = aft deck - 1 landing spot and 2 hangars capable of holding Chinook size helicopters.<ref name=MAS/>
| Ship notes = 
}}
|}

'''MV ''Asterix''''' (formerly '''MS ''Asterix''''', '''MS ''Amorito''''', '''MS ''Neermoor''''' and '''MS ''Cynthia''''') is a Canadian commercial [[container ship]]. It was purchased by Federal Fleet Services as part of [[Project Resolve]], and was later converted into a supply ship for the [[Royal Canadian Navy]] (RCN). She is intended to act as an interim replacement between the out of service {{sclass|Protecteur|replenishment oiler}} and the future {{sclass|Protecteur|auxiliary vessel}}. Originally [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] in Germany in 2010 as ''Cynthia'', the ship was converted and delivered to the RCN in December 2017 when she will be leased to the navy with a merchant navy crew, complemented by RCN personnel. ''Asterix'' will be in Canadian service well into the 2020s.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-navys-interim-supply-ship-could-be-equipped-to-be-able-to-take-on-disaster-relief-missions |title=Canadian Navy's interim supply ship could be equipped to be able to take on disaster relief missions |newspaper=National Post |last=Pugliese |first=David |date=23 June 2016 |accessdate=12 January 2017}}</ref>

The ship was owned by Capital Ship Management of Greece and registered in [[Monrovia]], [[Liberia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://maritime-connector.com/ship/asterix-9348182/ |title=Asterix – 9348182 – Container ship |website=maritime-connector.com |accessdate=10 November 2015}}</ref> The vessel was delivered at [[Quebec]] in October 2015 for conversion by a pan-consortium comprising [[Davie Shipbuilding|Chantier Davie Canada]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/canadas-interim-auxiliary-oiler-replenishment-ship-mv-asterix-has-arrived-in-levis-531414301.html |title=Canada's interim Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment ship MV Asterix has arrived in Levis |work=CNW |date=8 October 2015 |accessdate=10 November 2015}}</ref> [[Aecon]] Pictou Shipyard of [[Pictou, Nova Scotia]] and [[NavTech]], the conversion designer.<ref name=resolve1>{{cite web |url=http://projectresolve.ca/website/?page_id=3418 |title=Project Resolve – Program |website=projectresolve.ca |accessdate=10 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821012811/http://projectresolve.ca/website/?page_id=3418 |archive-date=21 August 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The vessel is limited in her deployment to enter dangerous areas due to her lack of weapons systems and military-grade radars, and inability to survive combat damage.

==Construction and career as container ship==
The ship was [[Keel laying|laid down]] on 21 October 2008 at the [[Nordic Yards Wismar]] in [[Wismar|Wismar, Germany]] with the [[yard number]] 147. The ship was [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] as ''Cynthia'' on 27 January 2009 and work was completed on the vessel on 1 May 2010. The ship was renamed ''Amorito'' in 2010. That same year the ship was renamed again to ''Neermoor'', operating under an Antigua and Barbuda [[Flag of convenience|flag]] while owned by Briese Schiffahrts GmbH & Co KG. In 2013 the ship was renamed ''Asterix''.<ref>{{csr|register=MSI|id=9348182|shipname=Neermoor |accessdate=24 February 2016}}</ref>

==Project Resolve==
{{main article|Project Resolve}}
The ship was selected for the Royal Canadian Navy's Project Resolve, where in conjunction with [[Davie Shipbuilding]] of Quebec, a ship would be leased by the RCN and converted for use as a naval [[Auxiliary vessel|auxiliary supply vessel]]. The work converting the ship was initially to be done partially at the AECON shipyard in [[Pictou, Nova Scotia]] before being completed at Davie Shipbuilding in Quebec;<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/future-government-on-the-hook-for-navy-supply-ship-deal-1.2522435 |title=Future government on the hook for navy supply ship deal |work=CTV News |last=Brewster |first=Murray |agency=Canadian Press |date=18 August 2015 |accessdate=13 September 2015}}</ref> instead, the ship was sent directly to Davie Shipbuilding.<ref name=pugliese1>{{cite news |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/asterix-to-be-outfitted-with-hmcs-protecteurs-refueling-system |title=Asterix to be outfitted with HMCS Protecteur's replenishment at sea system |work=Ottawa Citizen |last=Pugliese |first=David |date=6 October 2015 |accessdate=9 October 2015}}</ref> Pending an official agreement between the shipyard and the Canadian government, the vessel was to be ready by mid-2017.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/davie-expects-interim-supply-ship-ready-for-royal-canadian-navy-in-summer-2017 |title=Davie expects interim supply ship ready for Royal Canadian Navy in summer 2017 |work=Ottawa Citizen |last=Pugliese |first=David |date=8 October 2015 |accessdate=9 October 2015}}</ref> The ship was planned to be under contract with the Royal Canadian Navy until 2021 when the second of the two ''Protecteur''-class support ships (renamed from the ''Queenston'' class) would be completed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/naval/ships/2015/09/26/canada-lease-commercial-vessel-refuel-navy-ships/72729354/ |title=Canada To Lease Commercial Vessel To Refuel Navy Ships |website=DefenseNews.com |last=Pugliese |first=David |date=26 September 2015 |accessdate=9 October 2015}}</ref> The ship was reportedly acquired for $20 million.<ref name=marinelog>{{cite web|url=http://www.marinelog.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=9899:davie-set-to-start-box-ship-to-fleet-oiler-conversion&Itemid=223 |title=Davie set to start box ship to fleet oiler conversion |work=MarineLog |date=14 October 2015 |accessdate=15 October 2015}}</ref>

In September 2015, it was announced that L-3 MAPPS (a subsidiary of [[L-3 Communications]]) was selected as partner in the conversion for its Integrated Platform Management System.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3089 |title=L-3 MAPPS Selected by Chantier Davie Canada and Project Resolve for the Royal Canadian Navy's Interim Auxiliary Oil Replenishment (iAOR) Provision of Service |website=navyrecognition.com |date=12 September 2015 |accessdate=13 September 2015}}</ref> Hepburn Engineering was chosen to provide new state of the art Replenishment at Sea equipment.<ref name=pugliese1/> OSI Maritime Systems was chosen by Davie Shipyards to install their integrated navigation and tactical system aboard the converted ship.<ref>{{cite web |title=OSI selected to support Canadian Navy's AOR provision of service project |website=naval-technology.com |url=http://www.naval-technology.com/news/newsosi-selected-to-support-canadian-navys-aor-provision-of-service-project-4681244 |date=29 September 2015 |accessdate=9 October 2015}}</ref>

In November 2015, the government delayed final approval of the $700 million seven-year deal for two months.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/davie-supply-ship-liberals-halt-1.3327039 |title=Davie interim supply ship $700M deal delayed by Liberals |work=CBC News |last=Cudmore |first=James |date=20 November 2015 |accessdate=20 November 2015}}</ref> On 30 November 2015, the government reversed that decision and gave final approval for the project, allowing Davie to go ahead with the conversion.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/davie-shipyard-s-700m-deal-for-navy-supply-ship-retrofit-to-go-ahead-1.3344037 |title=Davie Shipyard's $700M deal for navy supply ship retrofit to go ahead |work=CBC News |last=Cudmore |first=James |date=30 November 2015 |accessdate=1 December 2015}}</ref> {{as of|October 2016}}, the conversion was ahead of schedule, with 60% of the conversion completed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.janes.com/article/65064/canadian-resolve-class-oiler-refit-proceeding-on-course |title=Canadian Resolve-class oiler refit proceeding on course |website=janes.com |last=Carl |first=David |date=31 October 2016 |accessdate=1 November 2016}}</ref>

On 20 July 2017 Davie Shipbuilding unveiled ''Asterix'' in a public ceremony with the traditional breaking of a bottle of champagne. This honour was performed by Pauline Théberge, spouse of [[J. Michel Doyon]], the [[Lieutenant Governor of Quebec]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/davie-shipbuilding-unveils-the-largest-naval-ship-ever-delivered-from-a-canadian-shipyard-635682443.html|title=Davie Shipbuilding unveils the largest naval ship ever delivered from a Canadian shipyard|website=www.newswire.ca|language=en|access-date=21 July 2017}}</ref> The vessel was re-launched on 15 October 2017 at Quebec City. [[Sea trial]]s were scheduled to begin on 16 November in [[Gaspé Bay]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.janes.com/article/75030/davie-launches-resolve-class-naval-support-ship |title=Davie launches Resolve-class naval support ship |last=Keddie |first=Ian |work=Jane's IHS |date=18 October 2017 |accessdate=19 October 2017}}</ref> The vessel arrived at [[Halifax, Nova Scotia]] on 27 December 2017 to embark naval complement to begin training in January 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/new-navy-supply-ship-arrives-in-halifax-1.4465284 |title=New navy supply ship arrives in home port of Halifax |work=CBC News |last=Palmeter |first=Paul |date=27 December 2017 |accessdate=9 January 2018}}</ref> While shifting position within Halifax Harbour in preparation for a storm, the ship lost power. No damage was done to ''Asterix'' and the vessel made it safely to the new position.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://thechronicleherald.ca/metro/1535527-naval-supply-ship-lost-power-in-halifax-harbour-ahead-of-storm |title=Naval supply ship lost power in Halifax Harbour ahead of storm |work=Chronicle Herald |last=Ayers |first=Tom |date=10 January 2018 |accessdate=11 January 2018}}</ref> The vessel completed sea trials and was formally accepted into service with the Royal Canadian Navy in January 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.janes.com/article/77477/rcn-s-asterix-interim-support-ship-completes-trials |title=RCN's Asterix interim support ship completes trials |work=Jane's 360 |last=Keddie |first=Ian |date=30 January 2018 |accessdate=31 January 2018}}</ref>

==Design==
[[File:MV Asterix replenishes the frigates Almirante Lynch (FF-07) and INS Sahyadri (F49) off Hawaii on 28 July 2018 (180728-N-CW570-1105).JPG|thumb|left|The Chilean Navy frigate {{ship|Chilean frigate|Almirante Lynch|FF-07|2}} and the Indian Navy frigate {{INS|Sahyadri|F49|2}} perform a replenishment-at-sea with ''Asterix'' off the coast of Hawaii during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2018 exercise on 28 July 2018]]

The vessel also has a container bay for protection of the containers while in transit. The ship has a [[double hull]],<ref name=resolve2>{{cite web |url=http://federalfleet.ca/2016/06/02/resolve-class-aor/ |title=Resolve Class AOR - Federal Fleet |website=federalfleet.ca |accessdate=22 May 2018}}</ref> a feature that the previous ''Protecteur'' class did not have and prevented them from operating outside of international waters.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canadian-navys-ships-risk-being-banned-from-foreign-ports/article1212835/ |title=Canadian Navy's ships risk being banned from foreign ports |work=Globe and Mail |last=Curry |first=Bill |date=5 August 2010 |accessdate=10 November 2015}}</ref>

A retractable [[Bow thruster|thruster]] at the bow was added for additional maneuverability and redundancy. The extra thruster allows for dynamic positioning and improved station-keeping in ''Asterix''.<ref name=MAS>{{cite web|title=Resolve Class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) Vessel|url=https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/resolve-class-auxiliary-oiler-replenishment-aor-vessel/|website=Naval Technology|accessdate=22 May 2018}}</ref>

For mission purposes the ship has rooms for crew and medical/hospital facilities for humanitarian missions, along with humanitarian and disaster relief capabilities. There is an area to treat and process evacuees and survivors; a large medical ward divided into two areas capable of treating up to 60. The ship also provides room for 350 in emergency situations.<ref name=cnw/>

''Asterix'', post-conversion, is able to operate up to eight smaller boats with quick launch and recovery capability.
''Asterix'' has two aircraft hangars planned for two embarked [[Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone|CH-148 Cyclone]] helicopters,<ref name=cnw/> but big enough to hold  [[Boeing CH-47 Chinook|CH-147F Chinook]] helicopters,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1533650-new-mv-asterix-could-carry-choppers |title=New MV Asterix could carry choppers - The Chronicle Herald |last=Gunn |first=Andrea |work=The Chronicle Herald |date=4 January 2018 |accessdate=22 May 2018}}</ref> as well as a landing deck capable of handling the largest helicopters.<ref name=resolve2/> The ship is crewed by 36 civilian personnel and up to 114 military personnel, with a 67-person detachment specifically aboard for replenishment duties.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/here-are-the-details-on-how-asterix-will-be-crewed |title=Here are the details on how Asterix will be crewed by the Royal Canadian Navy |last=Pugliese |first=David |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=24 October 2017 |accessdate=26 October 2017}}</ref>

Due to the civilian nature of her design, ''Asterix'' is limited in her ability to survive damage sustained in combat (because of less compartmentalization and redundancy of systems compared to military design ships), and is lacking military-grade radars.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://warontherocks.com/2023/05/preparing-canada-for-a-new-generation-of-security-challenges/ |title=Preparing Canada for a New Generation of Security Challenges |last=Mageau |first=Jack |work=Texas National Security Review |series=War on the Rocks |date=5 May 2023 |access-date=25 June 2023}}{{reliable source|date=June 2023}}</ref> The ship also lacks any installed self-defense weapons systems, although there are provisions should the need arise.<ref name=CIWS/> These two issues prevent the ship from being deployed to hazardous combat areas.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.timescolonist.com/business/canadian-naval-supply-ship-can-t-go-into-war-zones-1.23180292 |title=Canadian naval supply ship can't go into war zones |work=Victoria Times-Colonist |last=Berthiaume |first=Lee |agency=The Canadian Press |date=20 February 2018 |accessdate=21 April 2018}}</ref>

==Royal Canadian Navy service==
In June and July 2018, ''Asterix'', along with the {{sclass|Halifax|frigate}}s {{HMCS|Vancouver|FFH 331|2}} and {{HMCS|Ottawa|FFH 341|2}}, took part in [[RIMPAC#RIMPAC 2018|RIMPAC 2018]] around the [[Hawaiian Islands]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/over-1000-canadian-military-personnel-to-take-part-in-rimpac-exercise-to-start-wednesday |title=Over 1,000 Canadian military personnel to take part in RIMPAC - exercise to start Wednesday |work=Ottawa Citizen |last=Pugliese |first=David |date=27 June 2018 |access-date=26 July 2018}}</ref> The ship then joined {{HMCS|Calgary|FFH 335|6}} in the Western Pacific, visiting [[Da Nang]], Vietnam.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-09/26/c_137494753.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926194013/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-09/26/c_137494753.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 September 2018 |title=Canadian frigate visits Vietnam's Da Nang |work=Xinhua |date=26 September 2018 |access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref> ''Calgary'' and ''Asterix'' sailed in the [[South China Sea]] and were shadowed by a Chinese naval vessel. ''Asterix'' supported ''Calgary'' during the frigate's assignment enforcing United Nations resolutions against North Korea. After a year at sea, ''Asterix'' and ''Calgary'' returned to Canada at [[CFB Esquimalt]] on 18 December.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/for-crew-of-mv-asterix-return-home-means-a-chance-to-refuel-1.23546336 |title=For crew of MV Asterix, return home means a chance to refuel |work=Times Colonist |last=Watts |first=Richard |date=18 December 2018 |access-date=28 December 2018}}</ref>

On 6 February 2019, {{HMCS|Regina|FFH 334|2}} and ''Asterix'' departed Esquimalt for Pacific operations with other nations' navies.<ref name=wattsfeb>{{cite web |url=https://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/three-navy-ships-sail-out-of-cfb-esquimalt-on-missions-1.23626061 |title=Three navy ships sail out of CFB Esquimalt on missions |work=Times Colonist |last=Watts |first=Richard |date=6 February 2019 |access-date=17 February 2019}}</ref> On 18 February, a Cyclone helicopter from ''Regina'' was attempting to land on ''Asterix'' and was damaged in the operation. ''Asterix'' and the damaged Cyclone were redirected to [[Guam]] to undergo inspection.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://leaderpost.com/news/national/defence-watch/supply-ship-carrying-damaged-rcaf-cyclone-helicopter-headed-to-guam/wcm/bd015e91-331f-4e31-9d5a-57e919890bff |title=Canadian supply ship carrying damaged RCAF Cyclone helicopter headed to Guam |last=Pugliese |first=David |work=Regina Leader-Post |date=22 February 2019 |access-date=25 April 2019}}</ref> No damage was reported to ''Asterix'', and following air tests of the repaired Cyclone, both ships resumed their deployment.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/damaged-cyclone-helicopter-now-repaired-test-flights-underway |title=Damaged Cyclone helicopter now repaired, test flights underway |last=Pugliese |first=David |work=Ottawa Citizen |date=5 March 2019 |access-date=25 April 2019}}</ref> In March 2019, ''Regina'' and ''Asterix'' parted ways, with ''Regina'' deployed to the Middle East as part of [[Operation Artemis]].<ref name=wattsfeb/> The vessel returned to Halifax on 26 August after 500 days at sea performing 197 refueling operations with 40 warships.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lookoutnewspaper.com/asterix-returns-500-days-sea/ |title=Asterix returns after 500 days at sea |work=CFB Esquimalt Lookout |date=19 September 2019 |access-date=5 November 2019}}</ref>

In August 2020, ''Asterix'' was deployed to the Arctic as part of Operation Nanook along with {{HMCS|Glace Bay|MM 701|2}} and {{HMCS|Ville de Québec|FFH 332|2}} from the Royal Canadian Navy and warships from the Danish, French, U.S. navies.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rcinet.ca/eye-on-the-arctic/2020/08/05/allies-testing-naval-readiness-in-canadas-arctic/ |title=Allies testing naval readiness in Canada's Arctic |last=Brewster |first=Murray |work=Radio Canada International |date=5 August 2020 |access-date=7 January 2022 }}</ref> In August 2022, it was announced that the Royal Canadian Navy's charter of the ship would be extended for at least a further two years with further options to renew the charter, or to purchase the ship, thereafter.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tradewindsnews.com/shipyards/resurrected-davie-shipbuilding-aims-to-become-north-america-s-most-modern-shipyard/2-1-1358604 |title=Resurrected Davie Shipbuilding aims to become North America's most modern shipyard |work=Tradewinds |last=Jullano |first=Michael |date=24 November 2021 |access-date=16 December 2022}}</ref> In November 2022, the ship arrived at the Davie Shipyard for a one month maintenance period after which she would return to service.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2022/11/15/2556557/0/en/MV-Asterix-Comes-Home-to-Davie-for-Scheduled-Maintenance.html |title=MV Asterix Comes Home to Davie for Scheduled Maintenance |publisher=Davie Shipyard |date=15 November 2022 |access-date=29 December 2022 |via=GlobeNewswire}}</ref>  On 26 March 2023, ''Asterix'' and the frigate {{HMCS|Montréal|FFH 336|2}} left Halifax on a deployment to the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific region.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/hmcs-montr%C3%A9al-halifax-deployment-pacific-1.6791693 |title=HMCS Montréal, supply vessel leave Halifax on 6-month deployment |last=Ramesar |first=Vernon |work=CBC News |date=26 March 2023 |access-date=21 June 2023}}</ref> The ships, joined by ''Ottawa'', returned to Vancouver in December.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vicnews.com/local-news/navy-ships-return-to-victoria-for-kisses-and-family-after-months-at-sea-7287519 |title=Navy ships return to Victoria for kisses and family after months at sea |work=Victoria News |last=Matte |first=Ella |date=18 December 2023 |access-date=23 July 2024}}</ref> In mid 2024, ''Asterix'' took part in the multi-national exercise [[RIMPAC|RIMPAC 2024]] along with the offshore patrol vessel {{HMCS|Max Bernays||2}} and the frigate ''Vancouver''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/naval-deployment-pacific-1.7222234 |title=Canada sending naval ships to Pacific exercises as part of new strategic plan |work=CBC News |agency=The Canadian Press |date=2 June 2024 |access-date=23 July 2024}}</ref>

==See also==

* {{HMAS|Sirius|O 266|6}} – converted tanker that served with the [[Royal Australian Navy]] from 2006 to 2021.
* [[National Shipbuilding Strategy]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons cat|Asterix (ship, 2009)}}
* [https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/davie-met-leau-le-nouveau-ravitailleur-canadien Davie met à l’eau le nouveau ravitailleur canadien]

{{Royal Canadian Navy}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Asterix}}
[[Category:Fleet of the Royal Canadian Navy]]
[[Category:2009 ships]]