By Dr. Ann Griffiths, 4 October 2026
Alas, summer is over. But it’s not just snow and sleet and ice coming in the future – the fall issue of CNR is coming too! A new issue will be out soon. Here is a preview of what’s in the issue.
In his Editorial “The Art of Naval Thought,” Brian Santarpia notes that “the RCN dedicates relatively little effort to professional education in the foundations of strategic thought,” and that this is unfortunate. To start off the line-up of interesting articles, we have the winning essay of the 2026 CNMT essay competition. The author, C.A.M. Al Wahi, won with an impressive essay entitled “Vulnerable Arteries: Protecting Critical Subsea Infrastructure and the RCN’s Mandate.” Our second article, “A Submarine-First Royal Canadian Navy?” argues that, as Canada’s main strategic asset, submarines should receive more focus in the RCN. Our third article, “Slow Procurement is Canada’s Greater Risk,” outlines problems and solutions in the military procurement process from the perspective of a Canadian company. The next article, “Of Hulls and Sailors: Why Fleet Recapitalization Depends on Personnel Generation,” focuses on the importance of ensuring there are enough trained personnel as a crucial element of naval capability. The final article discusses HMCS Sackville and the ship’s recommissioning ceremony in the spring.
We have a good selection of Making Waves commentaries. There is material about the future US Arctic Security Cutters, discussion of the importance of trained personnel, underwater surveillance in the Arctic, and suggestions about the design of Canadian amphibious forces.
And, of course, we have our regular columns. In “Allies of Necessity: Japan and South Korea,” “A View from the West” looks at the uneasy relationship between two key players in the Indo-Pacific region. “Dollars and Sense” examines the shift from austerity to abundance in defence, and “Warship Developments” updates us on Tomahawks and aircraft carriers.
No issue of CNR would be complete without the amazing photos! And there are many of them!
Stay tuned. In a few weeks, the issue will be available to people who are lucky enough to be subscribers! It’s not too late for you to subscribe. See below for the Table of Contents.
Table of Contents
Volume 22, No. 2 (Fall 2026)
Editorial: The Art of Naval Thought
Brian Santarpia
Winner CNMT Essay Contest
Vulnerable Arteries: Protecting Critical Subsea Infrastructure and the RCN’s Mandate
C.A.M. Al Wahi
A Submarine-First Royal Canadian Navy?
Adam P. MacDonald
Slow Procurement is Canada’s Greater Risk
Mike Peasgood
Of Hulls and Sailors: Why Fleet Recapitalization Depends on Personnel Generation
Commander William P.P. Reive
The Recommissioning of HMCS Sackville
Michael Anderson
Making Waves
The New USCG Arctic Security Cutters and What They Mean to Canada
Mikäel Perron
The Human Factor: Canada’s Naval Capability
Jerome Downey
NORAD Needs an Underwater Surveillance System in the Arctic
Jeff Gilmour
Suggested Principles: Canadian Amphibious Force Design
Les Mader
A View from the West: Allies of Necessity: Japan and South Korea
Sofia Spiteri
Dollars and Sense: Canadian Defence’s Shift from Austerity to Abundance
Dave Perry
Warship Developments: Tomahawks and Carriers
Doug Thomas
Image: The future CCGS Donjek is seen returning to Irving Shipbuilding following its launch in Bedford Basin on 28 April 2026. Credit: Irving Shipbuilding
