2024
MODERNIZATION
IN
RCAF
12 JUNE/JULY 2024 www.vanguardcanada.com
R C A F M O D E R N I Z AT I O N
Introduction
One hundred years ago, the Royal Canadi-
an Air Force emerged out of the First World
War and the industrial age. While the nature
of war has remained constant over millen-
nia, it was the ability to produce weapons
like the submarine, the tank and the air-
plane in significant numbers that irrevoca-
bly changed its character. These innovations
made war possible at a speed and scale that
has only increased as other domains have
been added including space, cyber and in-
formation. The potential for conflict now
transcends the physical, and its reach and
speed largely negate any privilege Canada
once had due to its geography.
Today, the RCAF finds itself at the be-
ginning of a transition that is as significant
as its founding. With the global security
situation continuing to deteriorate and
the release of Strong, Secure and Engaged
(SSE) in 2017
1
, NORAD Modernization
in 2022
2
and most recently, Our North,
Strong and Free (ONSF)
3
, the RCAF now
finds itself the beneficiary of the largest in-
vestment in military air and space power in
Canada since WW2. As the current com-
mander, LGen Eric Kenney has noted,
there are "several gaps in the Air Force's
current capability"
4
and this investment
is required to address those gaps. RCAF
modernization seeks to build an air and
space force that ensures it is a credible part-
ner to allies and a deterrent to potential ag-
gressors.
The Opportunities
The 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR),
Cover page of the 2023 RCAF Strategy
5
B Y MGen (Ret'd) C O L I N K E I V E R
