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Updating Strong, Secure, Engaged

By Dr. Andrea Charron, 8 October 2021

There has been much in the news about the AUKUS submarine deal and the suggestion that Canada was or was not "left" out.  It is time for Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE) to be updated (and it doesn't need to be rewritten - rather a revisit of and status report on the already considerable list of "new" initiatives that were outlined in SSE in 2017).  It is clear, via several joint POTUS-PM statements, that continental defence is the priority which is a contribution to wider defence efforts around the world.  There is a public tendency to require too much of the CAF which is struggling with both serious internal and external challenges.  Now is the time to review the old "new" initiatives and take stock of what is in the realm of possible.  Perhaps the PM and Cabinet will choose to prioritize Asia-Pacific.  If asked, my advice would be to concentrate on the approaches to North America and strengthening NATO-NORAD connections.  Strong at home and Secure in North America are enormous "asks" as it is.  This is not to reject "engaged in the world", but to be realistic about what can be achieved given current commitments, internal upheaval and external challenges of which crisis management related to climate change will be a growing concern.

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Upcoming CNR issue

Volume 17, Number 2 (2021)

Summer has ended and fall has begun. We are now dealing with the fourth wave of this never-ending pandemic saga. But the show must go on and thus we continue to produce new issues of Canadian Naval Review.

I’m happy to announce that the Fall issue is coming soon. Here is a preview of what’s in store for you. The issue begins with an Editorial examining the topic of military training and exercises, an issue that has come into the spotlight with the collapse of the Afghan National Army and the country’s fall to the Taliban. Then we have five articles, all of which are timely and interesting. 

The first article examines a topic that was in the news for weeks this summer – the blockage of the Suez Canal by a huge container ship. What happened and what will be the implications? Read the article and find out. The second article takes a look at the maritime warning function in NORAD. The third article examines incident at sea agreements, using the US-Soviet INCSEA Agreement as a point of discussion, and examining recent agreements and negotiations in Asia. The fourth article discusses submarines, and explains how they are useful and why Canada needs them. And the final article discusses the use of ‘loitering munitions’ – i.e., “optionally recoverable unmanned aerial vehicles, capable of self-propelled and self-controlled flight, with a built-in reconnaissance and explosive payload that can be detonated on target” – in the maritime environment. These articles are all excellent.

We also have a selection of interesting commentaries. Contributors discuss delays in the construction of icebreakers, a plan to create a Canadian maritime tactical helicopter squadron, the ‘northern bridge’ to Europe, and a possible future for global maritime forces. As well, we have a commentary on how the new Arctic Fisheries Agreement will affect the Canadian Coast Guard. The good material just never ends! In other words, as usual the issue is full of amazing material – illustrated with beautiful photos.

If you don’t have a subscription yet, you should get one so you don’t miss anything.

The issue will be available soon – keep your eyes on the CNR Twitter account for details (@CdnNavalReview). And see the full table of contents below.

Table of Contents - Vol. 17, No. 2 (2021)

  • Editorial: Training in the Spotlight - by Ann Griffiths
  • Suez Canal Blockage - by Heinz Gohlish and Michael Moon
  • NORAD’s Maritime Warning Role: Origins and Future - by Andrea Charron and James Fergusson
  • Towards Multilateral Arrangements Regarding Incidents at Sea in Europe - by David F. Winkler
  • Why Canada Needs Submarines - by James Brun
  • Exploring the Impact of Loitering Munitions in the Maritime Environment - by Christopher Verklan
  • Making waves
    • The Ongoing Delays of Building a New Heavy Icebreaker - by Jeff G. Gilmour
    • It is Time for a Maritime Tactical Helicopter Squadron - by Major (Ret’d) Les Mader
    • Canada’s Northern Bridge to Iceland - by Steven Bright
    • Global Naval Forces are Key to the World’s Future - by Mikael Perron
    • Impacts of the Arctic Fisheries Agreement on the Canadian Coast Guard - by Nicole Covey
  • Dollars and Sense: Canadian Patrol Submarines: Complementing or Competing with Continental Defence? - by Dave Perry
  • Warship Developments: Expeditionary Sea Basing - by Doug Thomas
  • Book Reviews

Previous CNR issue

Volume 17, Number 1 (2021)

cnr_vol17_1_cover

CNR resources

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