So, a French Hunter Killer turned up in Halifax.
If you know what the primary role of a Hunter Killer, or Attack Boat is, you might sit up at this news.
They might be used against surface shipping, they might be used for carrier fleet protection (or attack of the opposition’s), they certainly do get used for flag waving foreign visits, rarely.
However, their primary role, the reason Billions are spent to build these things, is strategic asset protection. Loitering in the approximate vicinity of a very quiet, much larger, Boat.
Governments don’t often spend that kind of money on goodwill visits. Nor do they continue to make military goodwill visits to foreign nations during times of crisis or regional tensions, where such a visit might be seen to be a gesture of alliance with the host nation, unless they wish to make a point.
To many, this visit says (with a smile that does not extend to the eyes) “Hi! Just to let you know, I’m staying with your neighbour for a while. I know my big bro is a bit scary, but, I promise, you’ll never know we’re here.”
https://www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/video/2025/03/12/french-nuclear-attack-submarine-docked-in-halifax/