Canada owes it to the world to become an innovative ally

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has not only reminded the West that peace in Europe had been hanging on by a thread, but it also starkly demonstrated the critical role of technology in contemporary warfare. The conflict has revealed the importance of autonomous, robotic, and hypersonic platforms, and the criticality of the space, information and cyber domains for operations conducted on land, air, and sea. Lessons learned in Eastern Europe are fuelling a global race to acquire a defence capability edge in artificial intelligence, quantum and cloud computing, cyber, satellites, and microelectronics. These technologies will create new commercial discriminators, which in turn should lead to higher economic standards and quality of life. But for militaries, they can also enable more advanced capabilities, act as force multipliers for new and legacy platforms, and serve to deter threats in unique ways. These technologies are likewise emerging against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty. Global alliances are being reconfigured, as is highlighted by the creation of the AUKUS pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States; the establishment of the Quad in the Indo-Pacific region; a historic shift in Japan’s defence posture; and NATO expansion in Europe. Advancements in technology are also affecting Canadians at home. Our most important strategic ally, the U.S., has voiced repeated concerns that NORAD is not being modernized quickly enough, creating new vulnerabilities for American homeland defence. But Canadians should be concerned, too. Emerging vulnerabilities will affect Canada’s North. Our minimalist approach in Arctic defence combined with the effects of climate change may make confrontations in the Arctic more likely. And just a few months ago, Chinese surveillance systems flew over Canadian and American airspace, exacerbating our collective need to upgrade NORAD defences. While these incidents demonstrated that NORAD’s bi-national command is fit for purpose, public confusion and mixed messages suggest we have work to do in the information domain. Canada needs to catch up, redoubling commitments and investments in defence. Our allies are already on it. During last week's 2023 NATO Summit, allies (and Canada) agreed to make two per cent of GDP a defence spending floor—and the new defence investment and production plans reflect it. NATO allies and their leaders will still be wondering what Canada will be doing to keep up with the rest on military modernization and innovation. The democratic world needs more of Canada. Are we willing to give it to them? Canadians should think big. A paradigm shift is required to turn Canada into an innovative middle power and proactive ally. Dr. Guillaume Côté, left, Dr. David Perry, and Dr. Alex Wilner are the co-directors of Triple Helix, a network funded by the Department of National Defence under the Mobilizing Insights in National Defence and Security Collaborative Network program. Photographs courtesy of Guillaume Côté, David Perry, and Alex Wilner This is the backdrop against the launch of a new and unique defence policy research consortium—Triple Helix—established under the auspices of the Department of National Defence’s Mobilizing Insights in National Defence and Security program. When combining the expertise and viewpoints from a public policy think tank, an academic department, and a global business, one gets a triple helix of innovation. Led by the Canadian Global Affairs Institute in partnership with the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs and Collins Aerospace, our network will examine the impact of emerging technologies on force development, analyze policy instruments and co-operation mechanisms among allies, compare means to advance interoperability and more resilient defence capabilities, and explore how best to strengthen continental defence. The first of its kind in recent Canadian history, Triple Helix will be engaging broadly across government, academia, the Canadian Armed Forces, and industry. Our objective is to also reach out to experts and policy research communities across the Five Eyes alliance. On the menu, we are planning a series of conferences and roundtables, white papers and articles, podcasts and other content, all geared towards ensuring Canadian defence policy is informed by technological innovation and external considerations. Throughout this three-year endeavour, we aim to challenge Canada’s traditional defence paradigm and pursue innovation while promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and growing the next generation of defence professionals. Our goal is to raise public awareness of defence issue among Canadians, inform Canada’s place in the world, and overcome inertia and paralysis by providing recommendations and best practices inspired by our allies. Dr. Guillaume Côté, Dr. David Perry, and Dr. Alex Wilner are the co-directors of Triple Helix, a network funded by the Department of National Defence under the Mobilizing Insights in National Defence and Security Collaborative Network program. The Hill Times