The warship HMCS Vancouver will set sail for the Arabian Sea on Monday, the Department of National Defence confirmed Thursday.

The Vancouver, with a crew of 235, will leave its pacific-coast port in Esquimalt, B.C. to join an American aircraft carrier battle group off California. Later, it will head to the Arabian Gulf for "Operation Apollo," Canada's code-name for its military contribution to the war on terrorism.

The frigate is heavily armed with machine guns, anti-submarine torpedoes, anti-surface missiles and air defence systems.

It's the fifth and final Canadian frigate to set sail for the U.S.-led fight overseas.

Last week, more than 1,000 sailors set out from the port of Halifax on three vessels: the destroyer HMCS Iroquois; the supply vessel HMCS Preserver, which is loaded with food, munitions and fuel; and the frigate HMCS Charlottetown.

Canada is contributing 2,000 personnel, six warships, six aircraft and the country's special anti-terrorism force , Joint Task Force Two.