Vanguard Magazine

14 DECEMBER 2024/JANUARY 2025 www.vanguardcanada.com E M E R G I N G T E C H encryption capabilities as well as sustain- ment and business operations of the DND and CAF. Unmanned systems and robotics are highlighted as holding a growing im- portance to the character of war, especially small and cheaply produced drones, whose ability to damage and destroy larger and more expensive military equipment has been demonstrated in Ukraine. Our North, Strong and Free states that Canada will explore the acquisition of a new generation of long-range precision muni- tions for the Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal Canadian Navy, and also confirms it will acquire long-range missiles for the Army. It also, very briefly, mentions syn- thetic biology as an emerging technology of interest, but does not go into significant detail about its potential application. Vari- ous space-based platforms, including low earth orbit satellites, are discussed as being very important to the DND and CAF, as well as research and development into au- tonomy and counter-autonomy. AI is recognized as holding consider- able importance for the DND and CAF beyond its contribution to NORAD modernization and enhancing cyber ca- pabilities. AI is linked to a wide number of formal applications, including enhanc- ing command and control capabilities, situational awareness, and assisting in tar- geting. Our North, Strong and Free open- ly acknowledges the significant relevancy of this technology, stating that, "AI will fundamentally transform conventional military warfare and competition below the threshold of conflict". 3 AI is also connected to the DND and CAF's digital transformation efforts. Digi- tal transformation will aim to enhance the data management and business operations of the DND and CAF while connecting and enhancing other emerging technolog- ical areas such as cloud-based computing and networks. Achieving digital transfor- mation necessitates broader organizational changes within DND and CAF, foster- ing a culture that embraces digitization at all levels. The CAF needs to change to be able to both attract and retain skilled personnel from across Canadian society to meet these challenges. Addressing issues like reducing bureaucratic barriers on se- curity screenings and quality of life issues for personnel and their families will help the CAF to maintain the talent to achieve its new goals. Our North, Strong and Free also high- lights the importance of approaching technological research and development through inter-allied pathways. Canada will participate in the NATO Innovation Fund, with the intention of helping to fund Cana- dian startups focused on technology such as AI and quantum computing, among other emerging technological areas. Five Eyes (FVEY) is another key area of allied tech- nological cooperation, as several emerging technologies, including undersea capabili- ties, cyber, quantum, AI, hypersonic, and various electronic warfare assets, retain con- siderable interest to the partnership. In connection to emerging technology, Canada will continue to undergo a review and reform of its procurement system. This is an open admittance by the government that things have not been working any- where nearly as efficiently as they should, with the document stating that "Defence procurement takes too long in Canada and needs to be faster and more effective." 4 There is a clear need to procure systems for the DND and CAF at a quicker speed, while also building stronger relationships between Canada's defence and domestic industry. Canada will undergo a new de- fence policy review every four years, which in part is intended to ensure that the pro- curement system in Canada remains agile, avoiding stagnation. Looking Ahead Overall, Our North, Strong and Free pres- ents a new vision for emerging technolo- gies and Canadian defence. However, to succeed it will require an effective imple- mentation plan. This latest policy update successfully identifies a wider range of po- tentially relevant emerging technologies for Canada to focus current and future investments and will serve to generate a wider discourse surrounding technology within (and beyond) the defence com- munity. It also presents a sober threat as- sessment of the many challenges facing Canada presently and into the near future. Positively, it represents the first steps re- garding the eventual acquisition and inte- gration of many necessary capabilities for the DND and CAF to allow them to bet- ter respond to those threats. The Canadian defence community needs to think more about how it can tangibly acquire and operationalize the emerging technologies discussed in the new policy update. Prime Minister Trudeau recently suggested that Canada is considering for- mally joining the AUKUS alliance, and in particular, to participate in the Pillar 2 ele- ment of technological cooperation, remark- ing that, "[w]e are already observers in one of the working groups in Pillar 2 of AUKUS and we have had excellent conversations with both the U.S. and U.K. and Australia as to how we can work even closer". 5 This course of action should be aggres- sively pursued, as it will open up a large number of opportunities for Canada to enhance and rapidly build its emerging technology capabilities by sharing costs and knowledge with some of its closest defence partners. Joining some element of AUKUS would attenuate the lost ac- cess that has come with the emergence of this new alliance. Further, Canada should continue to explore additional inter-allied technological sharing arrangements, either at a bilateral or multilateral level as a means of expediating research and development efforts. Annex 1: List of Emerging Technologies Discussed in Our North, Strong and Free Advanced Submarines Air and Missile Defence Capabilities Artificial Intelligence Autonomy and Counter-Autonomy Big Data Cyber Capabilities Cloud-based Systems Command, Control, Communications and Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Capabilities Counter-drone Capabilities Data Analytics Digital Networks Energy and Propulsion Innovation Enhanced Long-term Arctic Satellite Com- munications F 35 Joint Strike Fighter Hypersonic Missiles Human Enhancement Long Range Munitions (Long-Range Ground, Air and Sea launched Missiles) Machine Learning Next-generation Airborne Early Warning Aircra Novel Materials Polar and Arctic Over the Horizon Radar Position Navigation and Timing Air Navigation Infrastructure and Systems Satellites and Space Capabilities Specialized Maritime Sensors Synthetic Biotechnology Unmanned Systems

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