Vanguard Magazine

16 JUNE/JULY 2024 www.vanguardcanada.com I N T E R V I E W BOLD MODERNIZATION PLANS INSIDE THE RCAF'S B Y T E R R I PAV E L I C A s the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) celebrates its 100th anni- versary, it stands at the cusp of a transformative era. Over the past 19 months, it has embarked on an unprecedented modernization journey, marking the most significant investment in its capabilities in recent memory. Since 2022 alone, the Government of Canada has finalized the procurement or upgrade of approximately 211 new aircraft for the RCAF. This includes 88 new F-35 fighter jets, nine new CC-330 Husky strategic tanker and transport aircraft, up to 16 new P-8A Poseidon multi-mission aircraft, 16 new or upgraded Cormorant helicopters, 11 remotely piloted aircraft (MQ- 9Bs), plus 5 fleets of training aircraft (71 total aircraft: Grob 120TP, Pilatus PC-21, King Air 260s, Airbus H-135s, and Dash 8-400s) for training Pilots, Air Combat System Officers and Airborne Electronic System Operators. In this interview, LGen Kenny, Commander, RCAF discusses the urgent need for modernization amidst heightened global security concerns, the strategic vision for the future of the RCAF, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. AN INTERVIEW WITH LGen Eric Kenny Q The RCAF is embarking on a major transformation, a scale of change not seen since the post-World War II era. What are you most eager to implement or see come to fruition? I'm eager to implement everything. I say that in a bit of jest, but the reality is that the security situation has never been as dire now as it has been in my entire career. Un- less we really get after modernization in a concrete and urgent way, then we are at risk of falling behind and ultimately not being able to deter those who we wish to deter. All those contracts that we've recently signed, or have signed in the past, we need to get those to an operational capability as quickly as possible so that we have the tools to bring in and train more people and retain the people we have. That way we have a force that is agile, integrated, inclusive and that - whether it's on the air or the space force side - gives the govern- ment of Canada options to deter poten- tial conflict as we move forward. I worry that we don't have all the tools right now. Therefore, we need to implement every- thing as quickly as we can. Easy to say. Very difficult to do.

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