Adversaries are working insidiously to undermine nations. From threats to breaches in networks, from ground invasions to attacks on infrastructure, these adversaries are evolving constantly to stay one step ahead. There are many examples throughout history, if we don’t learn from them and modernize to stay ahead of adversaries, then we will only endanger ourselves.
The Canadian Army, through its Advancing with Purpose: The Canadian Army Modernization Strategy, is positioning itself to address the challenges we face in the tumultuous security space. By focusing on four distinct elements: Orientation, Affirmation, Confirmation, and Implementation, the Army has built a framework with a set of actionable efforts to build the Army of the future.
As this Strategy unfolds, Vanguard took the opportunity to speak with BGen Chris C. Ayotte, Chief of Staff Army Strategy, Canadian Army. In this issue, you can read the full interview with him about the four elements of the Strategy, the challenges that the Army is facing at home and abroad, the importance of partnerships, the land environment and how it fits into modern conflicts of cyber and information, the implementation of this Strategy over the next five to 10 years, managing and mitigating risks, and key capabilities that the Canadian Army will invest in over the next five to 30 years.
In continuing the theme of the Army, P. Whitney Lackenbauer, Canada Research Chair in the Study of the Canadian North and a Professor in the School for the Study of Canada at Trent University, writes about the Canadian Army in a changing North American defence and security environment. He draws attention to how the Army is sidelined in most discussions when it comes to North American defence modernization. Typically, the emphasis is on how to better integrate technology to detect, deter, and defeat threats in the space, cyber, air, maritime, and cognitive domains with neglect for land. He points out that there are interesting opportunities for how land forces (Army systems, vehicle fleets, and even individual soldiers) will fit within the broader networked and integrated layered defence ecosystem of sensors, fusion elements, and defeat mechanisms.
With Canada continuously looking to upgrade capabilities and procuring new equipment to modernize its Army and entire Canadian Armed Forces, having an understanding of the platform used to bid for these programs is imperative for industry. In this issue, we take a look at CanadaBuys, a new cloud-based initiative that allows businesses to view and bid on opportunities with the Government of Canada. Learn more about this service that is replacing BuyandSell, a bidding and tendering platform that the government has been using for many years for products and services that they require. Emilio Franco, Senior Director, Procurement Business Modernization at Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) shares why now is the time to move to CanadaBuys, the benefits of using this online tool, challenges in transitioning over, how to access this new system, training, how industry can get help, and the security aspect of this system.
There are many more articles in this issue with a focus on cybersecurity, Canada’s defence innovation ecosystem, surveillance for public safety, and the challenges for adopting the Nuclear Ban Treaty. Also, be sure to read about our Game Changers: Louis Bibeau, President, and CEO of Logistik, and David E. Luxton, President of DEFSEC Corporation and Executive Chairman of KWESST Micro Systems Inc.
Thanks for taking the time to read this edition.
Stay safe.
