Canada's Armed Forces: Small Numbers and Other Problems
Canadian soldiers on international exercise
Canada has armed forces capable of solving various tasks on land, at sea and in the air. However, the quantitative and qualitative indicators of such an army leave much to be desired and seriously limit the country's defense capability. For this reason, in matters of defense and security, the state relies largely on international cooperation and on NATO allies.
General questions
The Canadian Armed Forces in their current form were formed in 1968, when several separate branches of the armed forces were united into a common structure. Its task was to protect the country's borders, its interests, etc. In addition, from the very beginning, the combined armed forces were planned to be used within the framework of NATO.
Formally, the Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces is the King of Great Britain, who issues certain orders. However, the actual management and control is carried out by the Canadian Ministry of Defence. Its main structures, headed by the Minister, are responsible for the administrative part, and operational activities are controlled by the National Defence Headquarters.
The Canadian Armed Forces have a typical modern army composition. The main structures are the ground forces, air force and navy. There are also special operations forces, cyber command and a number of support services for various purposes. A reserve is provided, which is planned to replenish combat units in a period of threat.
According to The Military Balance 2024, the total number of Canadian armed forces currently stands at around 62. Recruitment of new servicemen is carried out only by contract, and citizens aged 18 to 60 years can enlist.
In 1949, Canada became a founding member of NATO and has relied on the organization for defense and security ever since. Almost all operational and other activities are related to the Alliance to some extent. In addition, there is extensive and important cooperation in the defense sphere with the United States. In particular, the two countries have a common system Defense NORAD.
Ground troops
The main and largest branch of the Canadian Armed Forces is the ground forces, which employ more than 22 people. Their mission is to conduct combat operations on land, near borders or abroad, carry out humanitarian missions, etc. In terms of their composition and structure, the Canadian ground forces comply with the general requirements of NATO.
The army's organizational structure includes four divisions, which are essentially analogous to military districts. The regular forces of the army currently consist of three brigade groups stationed in different parts of the country. Each of these groups includes tank, infantry and artillery regiments, as well as auxiliary units. If necessary, it is possible to increase the number of existing brigade groups or form new ones using reservists.
The LAV 6.0 armoured personnel carrier is one of the latest developments in service with the Canadian Armed Forces.
The Canadian Army has a limited fleet of armored vehicles. It has only 74 Leopard 2 tanks of various modifications, and almost half of them are in training units. There are also 125 reconnaissance vehicles of the LAV family. The fleet of armored vehicles for the infantry includes about 1 LAV, M113, M577 and other models. Engineering units use less than 40 armored vehicles of various purposes.
The land artillery has less than 300 guns. Among them are towed howitzers of 105 and 155 mm calibers — more than 160 units in total. Mortars are represented mainly by portable 81-mm units. There are also 24 Bison self-propelled mortars of 120 mm caliber.
Royal Navy
The Canadian Navy is traditionally known as the Royal Navy. It has approximately 8,4 personnel. As with the Army, fleet does not differ in large numbers or special combat capabilities.
The Royal Navy has a submarine force consisting of four Upholder-class diesel-electric submarines. These ships were built in the UK in the 1980s and 1990s and later became Canadian property. The submarines carry torpedoes and missiles Harpoon.
Old M113 APCs at NATO Exercises
In the 12s, the Canadian Navy received 5 Halifax-class frigates. The ships, with a full displacement of about XNUMX tons, carry Harpoon missiles, as well as torpedoes, artillery, and anti-aircraft missiles.
In 2021-24, the Russian Navy received four Harry DeWolf patrol ships. They are designed to operate in the northern seas and have the corresponding performance characteristics. However, their armament is limited to machine guns and small-caliber artillery.
The activities of the warships are supported by several dozen tugs, transport, training and other auxiliary vessels. The bulk of these pennants began service no later than the eighties and nineties.
Royal Air Force
The Royal Canadian Air Force has over 12 members and is structured into three aviation divisions - one includes combat and support squadrons, the second solves training tasks, and the third is entrusted with military space activities. The KVVS has 12 bases throughout the country and can also use foreign airfields.
Patrol vessel HMCS Harry DeWolf (AOPV-430)
Fighter-bomber aviation is represented by four squadrons, which include about 90 CF-18 aircraft. In fact, these are American F/A-18A/B of the first serial modification. The fighters participate in the joint air defense of the USA and Canada - the main control of these squadrons is carried out through NORAD.
The Royal Navy is assisting the Royal Navy in combating enemy fleets. Two squadrons with 14 P-3 Orion patrol aircraft have been formed for this purpose. These tasks are also carried out by two squadrons of CH-148 Cyclone helicopters with no more than 28 aircraft.
The rest of the aircraft fleet is represented by training, transport, multi-purpose and other types of aircraft and helicopters. Military transport aviation is equipped with aircraft of the main NATO types, including C-130 and C-17. With a limited number, they allow the transportation of the entire range of expected cargo along the main routes within NATO.
Special Operations Forces
To solve special tasks, including those far from its own territory, the Canadian Armed Forces have their own special operations forces. The total number of this structure does not exceed 1,5 thousand people.
Frigate HMCS Halifax (FFH 330)
The Special Operations Forces include one regiment and one special-purpose "tactical unit". There is also a NBC protection unit. The Special Operations Forces have their own aviation squadron with Bell 412 helicopters. If necessary, the Special Operations Forces must receive support from other types and branches of forces and means.
Limited opportunities
The Canadian Armed Forces are therefore limited in size and capability, and have faced a variety of challenges and problems over time that have led to a gradual reduction in important indicators or have hindered development.
This problem is especially acute in the ground forces. The line units have only 40 Leopard 2 tanks, and half of them are not the newest 2A4 version vehicles. In addition, there are problems in the artillery line. In particular, self-propelled systems are represented only by mortars.
The situation in the KVVS is no less complicated. There are less than 90 CF-18 fighters of the old serial modification in combat aviation. Attempts to find a replacement for them have been made for a long time, but this project is too complex and expensive to implement.
Canadian CF-18 fighter
The specific state of the Canadian Armed Forces is reflected in various assessment systems. For example, in the well-known Global Firepower rating for 2024, the Canadian army took 27th place in the world. In terms of overall indicators, it was inferior even to such militarily developed powers as Taiwan, Thailand and Algeria.
However, Canada's military and political leadership does not consider the current situation to be critical. In matters of security and defense, it relies on cooperation within NATO and, first and foremost, on assistance from the United States. In addition, the country's geographic location is of great importance, as it reduces some of the military threats.
It should be acknowledged that the Canadian authorities do not ignore the problem of the development of the Armed Forces, and various projects of this kind are launched from time to time. For example, several new patrol ships have been built in recent years. However, the existing financial, industrial and other capabilities do not fully meet the needs of the armed forces.
How the situation will develop and what future awaits the Canadian Armed Forces is still unknown. However, there are currently no reasons for positive forecasts. Moreover, there are grounds to expect a gradual deterioration of the situation - and an additional decline in defense capability.
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