Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Vice Adm. Angus Topshee’s High-Stakes Summit: Strengthening Naval Collaboration

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti met with Vice Adm. Angus Topshee, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, for a formal bilateral engagement during the Inter-American Naval Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil today.

They discussed opportunities to strengthen their naval partnership and enhance operations in the Arctic and Indo-Pacific regions. Both leaders committed to continental security and pledged to work with regional and international allies to uphold the rules-based international order.

Franchetti praised the Canadian Navy’s advancements in its Arctic shipbuilding program and new capabilities in anti-submarine warfare. She highlighted the significance of multilateral cooperation among Arctic nations.

The meeting also covered Franchetti’s new strategic guidance, the “Navigation Plan for America’s Warfighting Navy.” They emphasized the evolving nature of warfare and the necessity for maritime officers to adapt. The integration of robotic and autonomous systems for maritime domain awareness and the role of Information Warfare in command-and-control centers were key points of discussion.

Additionally, they shared initiatives for recruiting and retaining talent. Both leaders expressed enthusiasm for future joint training and operational exercises between their navies.