Canada needs a ‘good mix’ of new tech like drones, AI: NATO commander

Canada's defence minister must consider a "good mix" of new technologies like drones, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced unmanned systems when planning for the country's national defence, according to a senior NATO official. Adm. Pierre Vandier, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, advises that drones and electronic warfare tactics should complement, rather than replace, traditional military assets.

He emphasized, "A force that is not protected against drones and (drone) swarms is a force at risk." The NATO commander made this statement after observing NATO exercises in Latvia, where soldiers and drones worked together to simulate a cross-border invasion. The exercises, known as Digital Backbone eXperimentation (DIBaX), involved testing drone swarms, drone-to-drone combat, and cross-border incursions, along with electronic warfare tactics to disable enemy drones.

These technologies have become increasingly significant in modern warfare, especially in light of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Canada, which currently has around 3,000 Armed Forces personnel stationed in Latvia as part of Operation Reassurance, has been actively exploring drone capabilities in recent years. The Department of National Defence launched the Defence Drone Initiative (DDI) to provide both the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Coast Guard with new drone technology.

The government's push for drone development coincides with Prime Minister Mark Carney's promise to invest billions into national defence, with Canada aiming to spend two percent of GDP on defence this year and five percent by 2035.