Vanguard Magazine

6 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021 www.vanguardcanada.com EDITOR'S NOTE At the time of writing, we are putting the final touches to Deep Blue Forum 2021. Built on the success of last year's event, the second Deep Blue event will continue to explore Canada's excellence in the subma- rine and underwater domain. The agenda for the two-day virtual conference will get into the latest trends, challenges, and how to overcome them, a focus on emerging technologies and capabilities. Former and current military personnel will take the virtual stage to share what is needed to better support and enhance Canada's underwater capability. Other ex- perts will present unique and innovative technology solutions that can make un- derwater defence and security operations more effective, mobile, and independent. As Canada looks to extend the operation- al relevance of Victoria-class submarines through to the mid-2030s with the Victo- ria-class Modernization program and the continued work of in-service support, the time to acquire new submarines is quickly approaching. The RCN is putting together a small team to study the requirements for a future submarine replacement project. While a definitive Major Crown Project has yet to be initiated, this team will be looking at ocean-going conventional submarines, with significant endurance and the ability to work in the Arctic. This includes maxi- mizing Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), as non-nuclear submarine tech- nology is not envisioned to allow protract- ed under-ice operations. With this current trend, Deep Blue Fo- rum 2021 is designed around the theme of "Conventional Submarine Design and Technology: Today and 20 years in the Future". The speakers will explore what is achievable today and what can be accom- plished by 2040 for a Canadian submarine. In the lead-up to Deep Blue, we have dedicated a significant portion of this edi- tion to submarines. The leading article is an interview with Captain(N) Jean Stéphane Ouellet, Commander Canadian Subma- rine Force. Capt(N) Ouellet talks about the current state of the Victoria-class sub- marine fleet, submarine availability and capability, Submarine Force rejuvenation post-pandemic, working in the Arctic, what the post-VCM submarines will bring to the table, Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), key capabilities of a future Canadi- an submarine and what size of fleet Canada should consider for its new submarines. The other part of keeping the Victoria- class submarines in operation is the in-ser- vice support. Through the Victoria-class In-Service Support Contract (VISSC), Bab- cock Canada Inc. has been spearheading the sustainment work on these submarines. Recently, we had the opportunity to speak with Matthew Crawley, Vice President Cor- porate Development and Strategy, Babcock Canada. Matthew shared their experience with VISSC, some of the challenges faced and how they were resolved, notable up- grades, Team Victoria-Class and the ben- efits from the partnership, innovation and the impact on submarine sustainment. Continuing the theme of underwater, Col Pierre Leblanc (Ret'd) writes about the need for underwater surveillance in the Arctic. But having a comprehensive underwater surveillance of the complete Arctic Archipelago would be too expen- sive, as such he recommends the moni- toring of the access choke points. Since the waters of the Arctic Archipelago are relatively shallow and the combination of the thickness of the ice, the multitude of islands restricting maneuver, and limited bathymetry, make for a very dangerous area for submarines to venture into. If de- tected, a submarine would not be able to use speed or depth to escape. He points out that it would be more cost-effective to select a few of the deeper straits to install underwater surveillance equipment. To close off this issue, meet our Game Changers: Eva Maria Gonzalez Esteban, Director, Spacecraft Infrastructure and Advanced Payloads at Inmarsat and Joe McBrearty, President & CEO of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. Thanks for taking the time to read this issue. Stay safe. Terri Pavelic, Editor-in-Chief EDITORIAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | TERRI PAVELIC terri@promotivemedia.ca PUBLISHER AND EXECUTIVE EDITOR | J. RICHARD JONES john@promotivemedia.ca MANAGING EDITOR | MARCELLO SUKHDEO marcello@promotivemedia.ca CONTRIBUTORS P. WHITNEY LACKENBAUER COL PIERRE LEBLANC (RET'D) DAVID LINCOURT MIKE MUELLER CAPT(N) IAN PARKER RET'D) HEATHER PILOT EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD LGEN STUART BEARE (RET'D) COL RICHARD FAWCETT (RET'D) CAPT(N) NORM JOLIN (RET'D) COL PIERRE LEBLANC (RET'D) CARINNA LIN SHANNON MCCLURE SALES DIRECTOR, CONTENT & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT | DAVID BLONDEAU david@promotivemedia.ca ART & PRODUCTION ART DIRECTOR | ELENA PANKOVA elena@promotivemedia.ca SUBSCRIPTIONS AND ADDRESS CHANGES CIRCULATION SERVICES | circulation@promotivemedia.ca Publisher's Mail Agreement: 40052410 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to circulation dept. 21374, 2nd Concession Rd, East Gwillimbury, ON, L9N 0H7 Vanguard magazine is published 6 times per year by Promotive Communications Inc. All opinions expressed herein are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or any person or organization associated with the magazine. Letters, submissions, comments and suggested topics are welcome, and should be sent to marcello@promotivemedia.ca REPRINT INFORMATION: Reproduction or photocopying is prohibited without the publisher's prior written consent. High quality reprints of articles and additional copies of the magazine are available through circulation@promotivemedia.ca PRIVACY POLICY: We do not sell our mailing list or share any confidential information on our subscribers. VANGUARD OFFICE 21374, 2nd Concession Rd, East Gwillimbury, ON, L9N 0H7 Phone: (905) 727-3875 Fax: (905) 727-4428 THE FORUM FOR CANADA'S SECURITY AND DEFENCE COMMUNITY

• Cover