The Canadian Navy has sent its patrol frigate HMCS Fredericton on a six-month deployment to the Arabian Sea to fight terrorism and piracy.

The deployment of the Halifax-class frigate is part of the long-standing Nato commitment to secure the Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters off the coast of Somalia.

The HMCS Fredericton is expected to reach the Arabian Sea in mid-November where it will spend the first couple of months on anti-piracy duty off the Horn of Africa.

The ship sailed out of Halifax harbour with a complement of approximately 250 officers and sailors as well as a CH-124 Sea King helicopter along with its air detachment.

The 4,770t patrol frigate can cruise at a speed of 30kt. The ship has been involved in boarding ships smuggling drugs, weapons and people, and search and rescue operations.