Vanguard Magazine

www.vanguardcanada.com FEBRUARY/MARCH 2025 23 C 4 I S R A N D B E Y O N D capabilities the army has; Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD), which the com- mander is trying to accelerate to replace capabilities the army divested of and needs in Lativa and elsewhere now; and Domes- tic Arctic Mobility Enhancement (DAME) which will replace and improve upon cur- rent capabilities. Such capabilities must be supported, en- abled and complimented by the digitalized C4ISR outputs to the Brigade Communi- cations and Information Systems Urgent Operational Requirement, Land Com- mand Support System Life Extension, Tactical Communications Modernization, Tactical Command and Control Informa- tion Modernization, Combined Joint In- telligence Modernization, Joint deployed Headquarters and Signal Regiment Mod- ernization and Canadian Forces Land Elec- tronic Warfare Modernization projects. Upgrading the C2IS backbone will en- able the other four priorities to deliver timely, informed and networked effects. Army modernization is aligned with FVEY's army efforts via the US Army's Project CONVERGENCE and related ef- forts to consolidate C2IS systems and har- ness AI/ML for analysis and timely effects. Canada's army must be interoperable with allies on day zero and sustain expedition- ary operations even when supply lines to Canada are challenged. Modernization and restructuring efforts will involve all levels of command – division, brigade and unit. The outcomes will be a field force that is relevant, credible and interoperable. MGen Jeff Smyth, Chief Fighter and NORAD Capability highlighted that the RCAF is moving forward following three policy directives (SSE, DPU, ONSAF) in- troducing multiple new platforms as well as Space capabilities. The policy and pro- grams behind these directives represent the largest investment in the RCAF since World War Two. Of primary concern is the missile threat from polar regions – NORAD needs to see and react across the spectrum – sense, shield and act. To en- able these operational functions, a tactical- to-enterprise mesh network connecting any sensor to any shooter is required of which USAF cloud-based command and control (CBC2) represents the US side of NORAD capability. Ultimately, the Comd RCAF seeks warfighting advantage with an ability to prosecute operations across the modern battlespace – no blind spots. As Commander of the recently established CAF CYBERCOM, MGen Dave Yarker holds multiple mandates including Offen- sive Cyber Operations (OCO), Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO), Signals Intel- ligence (SIGINT) and Electronic Warfare (EW). He sees his role as enabling friendly- force decision advantage. The Command will continue to grow and mature into its roles while balancing effects from the Com- munications Security Establishment Canada (CSE) and Allies in US Cyber Command. Joint EW is an area that has lacked a strate- gic champion for decades and will have to be resourced as RCAF and RCN platforms become operational. The Command ac- knowledged that Cyber Command cannot compete with industry for talent, the CAF must attract interested personnel and train them in a given specialty. Cmdre Jason Armstrong, Director Gen- eral Naval Force Development (DGNFD), acknowledged that the RCN needs to be able to "fight tonight" and hence the RCN must modernize the existing fleet as it awaits the new platforms in the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) program. It is expected to deliver between 15 and 22 multi-mission Destroyers. Also anticipated is a replace- ment program for the Victoria-class subma- institutional approval. Digitalization of our systems, processes, mindset and ap- proach is fundamental to success. Modernizing the Force Panel 1 The Service Chiefs was moderated by Brig Ed Sandry UK Defence Advisor to Canada. He opened the discussion by suggesting that the CAF are recognized amongst the Allies as producing some of the finest leaders of the martial profession. LGen Mike Wright, Commander Cana- dian Army's theme remains that the army of today must be prepared and equipped for the future. Although the current army is dedicated, it must modernize to be credible, interoperable, digitally enabled, scalable and agile to meet the Canadian government's needs. Out of the 47 capital projects the army is currently sponsoring the four equipment priorities are: Long Range Precision Strike – Land (LRPS-L), which is progressing well and is intended to provide new capabilities; Indirect Fires Modernization (IFM), which will provide the modern and scaled-up equivalent to Le to right: Mark Allen, Jamie Marcantonio, Karl St-Pierre, Palo Alto Le to right: Cmdre Jason Armstrong, DG Naval Force Development; LGen Michael Wright, Comd Canadian Army; MGen Jeff Smyth, Chief Fighter and NORAD Capability; MGen Dave Yarker, Comd, Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command; Brig Edward Sandry, Defence Adviser, Canada

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