22. Canadian Defence and New Technologies

For the most part, discussions surrounding technology and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) centre around procurement challenges that often appear to be insurmountable. Yet there are other hard questions that need to be addressed when it comes to thinking about the military and technology. How do the geopolitical context and the kinds of missions Canada will be engaging in affect requirements? How can Canada manage technological vulnerabilities while keeping pace with technological change among its allies and adversaries? And how will technology impact the people within the CAF? Technology is fundamental to any defence establishment, but it is important to recognize that it is inherently social: adapting to technological change is not just about procurement, but successful cultural adjustment and evolution. This chapter addresses these issues by providing an overview of the context (geographical, demographic, middle power status) for the CAF, proposed solutions (replacement and adaptation) and future challenges when it comes to technology.