After commissioning "Haida" was assigned to the Royal Navy's Home Fleet. On 15 November the convoy JW 54A sailed from Loch Ewe. "Haida" was among the destroyers that joined the escort from 18–24 November 1943. On 28 November "Haida" was among the destroyer escort for the Russian convoy RA 54B, protecting it until it reached Loch Ewe on 9 December without loss. The convoy JW 55B sailed from Loch Ewe for Russia on 20 December. "Haida" was a member of its ocean escort. The was deployed to intercept the convoy. While the cruisers escorting the convoy kept the German vessel at bay, "Haida" and the other escorting destroyers shepherded the convoy away from danger until the German battleship was sunk by a British force. On 23 December the convoy was attacked by Junkers Ju 88 bombers, but escaped unscathed. "Haida" joined the escort of RA 55B on the return journey to the UK which sailed from Kola Inlet on 31 December and arrived on 8 January 1944.