Challenges Facing the Canadian Army in Modern Combat Operations
In September 1943, the First Canadian Division’s bold assault on the Italian town of Potenza turned a potential defeat into a victory for British and American forces. Today, the question arises whether the Canadian Army could still play such a pivotal role in a major military operation alongside U.S. forces. At present, the answer appears to be no.
The Canadian Army has been structured for ‘contribution warfare’ since the Cold War’s end. This means it has focused on participating in multinational coalitions rather than engaging in large-scale, high-intensity combat. This approach suited the post-Cold War era, dominated by peacekeeping and counterinsurgency efforts. Yet, the circumstances have shifted, leaving Canada’s current military forces insufficient for today’s combat requirements. Neither Canada nor its allies, such as the U.S., find this adequacy acceptable.
Recognizing this gap, Canada has introduced a plan named Inflection Point 2025. This initiative aims to transform the Canadian Army into a force capable of enduring major combat against equal or near-equal adversaries. However, as of now, this vision remains unfulfilled. There is skepticism about the plan’s success if Ottawa fails to invest in recruitment, equipment, and sustainment to establish new combat units beyond mere reorganization.
Recruitment Challenges
A primary issue involves personnel recruitment. The Inflection Point plan predicts not only solving a 3,000-soldier deficit from previous recruiting efforts but also recruiting an additional 8,500 regular members by 2040. This assumption is uncertain, and historical trends offer little assurance of accomplishing these recruitment goals.
Procurement Problems
The procurement process also poses a problem. Military units tasked with deterrence or warfare need state-of-the-art equipment to manage evolving combat conditions. Yet, Canada’s procurement system is not configured to offer timely or necessary equipment. Often, the focus lies on domestic job creation and reducing reliance on U.S. manufacturers, not on equipping the army for success.
Even with resolved procurement issues, sustainment remains a daunting challenge. Keeping a division supplied with essentials like ammunition and equipment is difficult. Canada’s logistical support is weak in maintaining combat readiness over time. For instance, Gen. Wayne Eyre noted in 2023 that at the consumption rate seen in the Ukraine War, Canada would exhaust certain munitions within days, requiring years to restock.
Doctrinal Adjustments
The army’s operational approach is another area of concern. Like other NATO armies, Canada’s forces have been slow to implement tactics and structures necessary for survival and success in modern conflict. This delay could leave the army with inadequate formations despite the goals outlined in Inflection Point.
An American perspective might see these as exclusively Canadian issues. Nonetheless, as in World War II, the Canadian Army’s combat effectiveness on foreign soil significantly impacts U.S. interests. The eventual success of American forces could depend on the readiness of Canadian troops to intervene successfully, as seen at Potenza in 1943. Currently, this capability is lacking, hoping for future readiness if needed.
Andrew Latham is a professor of international relations at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and a senior fellow at the Institute for Peace and Diplomacy.