Did you know that Canada got its first submarines more than 100 years ago, during the First World War – and the first submarines were purchased by the province of British Columbia, not the federal government! The submarine arm of the Royal Canadian Navy has never been big, but it’s […]
Broadsides Discussion Forum
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On 21 March 2020, Canada awarded a contract to Zodiac Hurricane Technologies Ltd for the design and construction of 30 multi-role boats for Canada’s Halifax-Class Frigates. This award directly supports one of Canada’s Defence Policy “Strong, Secure and Engaged” commitments as well as the National Shipbuilding Strategy’s Construction of Small […]
What does a navy do during peace time? Good question. The work that the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) does illustrates the classic roles of a navy - i.e., undertaking constabulary, diplomatic and warfighting roles, the three elements of Booth’s Triangle. In defence and promotion of Canada’s national interests, the RCN […]
Procrustes, 17 May 2020. In reading through various discussions of the likely capabilities to issue forth from the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) bid competition, one might be struck by an odd thought. Are defence planners in league with industry officials in trying to sneak in a potential ballistic missile defence […]
Procrustes, 16 May 2020 As Canada contemplates some gradual easing of the many regulations imposed on virtually every sector of the national economy, economists and other public policy experts are in general agreement that paying for the current emergency measures and then finding money to help kick-start the locked down […]
If you don’t live near an ocean – and most Canadians don’t – you could live your whole life without ever seeing a warship. So why, you may ask yourself, does Canada need a navy? There are many reasons. Navies play three general roles – diplomacy, constabulary and defence. Canada […]
This week marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. This war was a genuine world war, involving as it did participants from around the world. For Canada and Europe, the war started in the fall of 1939. In Africa, Asia the start dates were […]
The majority of Canadians live far from the oceans that surround Canada. They may be guilty of what has been referred to as ‘sea-blindness.’ But whether they know it or not, Canadians are affected by what happens on the oceans. This Briefing Note concludes: “The oceans have had and continue […]
Moderator, 04 May 2020 In an article published by War on the Rocks, entitled “Five Ways the US Military will Change after the Pandemic,” authors David Barno and Nora Bensahel examine the US military after the dust has settled (for now) on COVID-19. They argue that “There are at least […]
A joint statement from Commanders of the Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force on the crash of a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger, Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, and Vice-Admiral Art McDonald, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, issued the following statement: “Our hearts are […]