The war in Ukraine has highlighted the gaps in the Canadian Army’s equipment inventory. The Army lost its air defence capability after taking the ADATS out of service. (CANADIAN FORCES PHOTO)
by David Pugliese
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has put the spotlight on the lack of some specific equipment in the Canadian Army. As other nations were rushing anti-tank missiles and air defence systems to Ukraine, the Canadian Army could only offer up 100 Carl Gustaf 84mm recoilless rifle and 2,000 rounds of ammunition as well as 4,500 M72 Light Armoured Weapons.
As a result of the Ukraine war, the Canadian Army’s lack of air defence and limited capabilities in anti-tank systems was on full display. (The Army removed its anti-tank Eryx system as well as ADATS from service years ago. The Army is also without a shoulder-fired surface to air missile)
In Latvia on March 8, 2022 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was asked whether his government would commit to an urgent purchase of new anti-tank weapons and an air defence system for the Canadian Army. In addition Trudeau was asked whether his government would commit to the NATO standard of two per cent of GDP for defence spending.
Trudeau avoided the questions about anti-tank weapons and an air defence system, noting somewhat disingenuously that such “weapons are much more useful right now and in the coming weeks in the hands of Ukrainian soldiers fighting for their lives than they would be in Canadian hands.”
But he did state such weapons would be quickly replaced in Canadian military inventory.
That, however, is not entirely true. The Army will replace the 2,000 rounds of ammunition for the Carl Gustaf through the normal munitions resupply process. However, Department of National Defence officials confirmed to Esprit de Corps that the 100 Carl Gustaf launchers (M2 model) and the M72s will not be replaced as the Army has enough of those in stock.
Trudeau said that his government continues to invest in the Canadian Forces and that he discussed with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that day “about indeed our approach to continuing to invest in our military and making sure Canada is always there to stand up.”
The lack of Army capability caught the attention of some members of parliament. On March 2, 2022 Bloc Quebecois MP Christine Normandin, who is on the Commons defence commit- tee, said that MPs, during their visits to troops, have noticed some of the Canadian Army’s equipment is outdated. She tried to get answers from Vice-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie, the Commander of Canadian Joint Operations Command.
Auchterlonie’s answers provide a master-class in obfuscation:
Normandin: Does Canada have what it needs to undertake a conventional war if necessary?
Auchterlonie: It’s a great question. Canada’s providing significant aid. You’ve seen the aid we’ve provided, both lethal and non-lethal, and that has been provided to Ukraine already with two deliveries that I think has been publicly broadcast. In addition right now, we are looking at other options to provide further military equipment that is within our arsenal, that is modern and capable to defeat the Russian Forces, if used by the Ukrainians. So this is something the government’s looking at right now. I have to say this is not in isola- tion. Working with our allies and partners globally, I think you’ve seen the allies and partners all looking to provide Ukraine with capable equipment, capabilities that they need to support their sovereignty.
Normandin: But my question is more to do with Canada. Is it able to undertake a conventional war? Are our resources inade- quate to undertake a conventional war or do we have everything we need for conventional warfare?
Auchterlonie: I think we’re talking about the capabilities and we’re talking about whether they’re sufficient to support the Ukrainians and they are. And that’s why we’re offering those capabilities and as well as our allies.
Normandin: With all due respect Vice-Admiral, my question isn’t about whether we have everything we need to support the Ukrainians. My question is: Do we have everything we need for conventional warfare ourselves.
Auchterlonie: “Exactly. So we are looking not only to support the Ukrainians but ensuring that we have the capabilities within our brigades and with our Armed Forces moving forward and we do. So we have identified equipment in order to support the Ukrainians, at the same time ensuring that we have the capabilities available for Canada.
