Vanguard Magazine

4 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2026 www.vanguardcanada.com E D I T O R' S N O T E I can't say it often enough: planning, host- ing, and attending events is one of the best parts of my job. While I appreciate the in- sights and thinking shared in each issue of Vanguard, nothing beats getting out there and talking to people face to face. Sometimes it's simply the chance to catch up with an old colleague. Other times it's receiving timely updates on the many complex projects that underpin and advance our country's military. And sometimes it's about hearing things that challenge conventional ways of think- ing. I've heard a lot of this in recent months, whether at Deep Blue Forum or at C4ISR and Beyond, both of which we profile in this issue. One conversation that's stuck with me took place at Deep Blue Forum 2025. It took place during a panel discussion host- ed by Commodore Keith Coffen, RCN (Ret'd), owner of Seax Strategy. It also in- cluded David Hudock, national director, defence and federal government relations, PCL Construction, and Commander Dar- cy Brytus, RCN (Ret'd), former president of BMT Canada. As Canada prepares for a new submarine fleet, the panel issued a warning—namely, that for the acquisition to be successful, we must contend with the shortage of special- ized building talent, rising construction costs, the need for speed, and an econo- my under pressure with many competing priorities. As Hudock noted, the goal is not to encourage pessimism around the submarine program, but rather to ensure everyone is clear-eyed and moving ahead based on how things are now, not how they used to be. "These are things I thought people in the room today should be aware of and should bring into their thinking. It's im- portant to consider how quickly you want things, how much risk you're willing to take, and so on." We're also fortunate in this issue to fea- ture an article by Rear Admiral (Ret'd) Brian Santarpia, who lays out the harsh realities—and rapidly shifting landscape— Canada and our forces face today. He pres- ents a compelling vision for what must be done, and where we need to act. It starts with developing a clear, grand strategy. "A strategic culture is not simply aware- ness of military matters. It is the collective willingness of political leaders, officials, scholars, and citizens to think in terms of ends, ways, and means. It demands that choices be debated openly and that inter- ests be defined explicitly. Nations that pos- sess such cultures, such as Britain, France, and Australia, can adapt to changing envi- ronments without losing coherence. Can- ada must join them." And, as he always does, Ian Mack once again brings his mix of sharp observation and problem-solving to our Last Word feature. He argues that Canada's National Shipbuilding Strategy needs a major reset to match today's much more dangerous world—focused on getting Canada onto a wartime footing by building more ships, faster; using additional Canadian ship- yards; and relying more heavily on simpler, lower-cost autonomous and uncrewed vessels. "Nothing less will prepare us to face a no-fail set of missions to equip and main- tain a significantly enhanced RCN," he notes. I hope you find this issue as insightful, challenging, and ultimately as hopeful as I do. Terri Pavelic, Editor-in-Chief EDITORIAL E D I TO R-I N-C H I E F | T E R R I PAV E L I C terri@promotivemedia.ca P U B L I S H E R A N D E X E C U T I V E E D I TO R | J. R I C H A R D J O N E S john@promotivemedia.ca E D I TO R | M I C H A E L M AC M I L LA N CONTRIBUTORS I A N M AC K RA D M B R I A N S A N TA R P I A (R E T'D) S A N DY S C H WA B EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD LGen S T U A RT B E A R E (Ret'd) Col R I C H A R D F AWC E TT (Ret'd) Capt(N) N O R M A N J O L I N (Ret'd) Col P I E R R E L E B LA N C (Ret'd) CA R I N N A L I N S H A N N O N McC L U R E SALES D I R E CTO R, CO N T E N T & B U S I N E S S D E V E LO P M E N T | DAV I D B LO N D E A U david@promotivemedia.ca ART & PRODUCTION A RT D I R E CTO R | E L E N A PA N KOVA elena@promotivemedia.ca S U B S C R I P T I O N S A N D A D D R E S S C H A N G E S C I RC U LAT I O N S E RV I C E S | 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 terri@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 THE FORUM FOR CANADA'S SECURITY AND DEFENCE COMMUNITY

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