Reports
Canadian Maritime Security Network-produced and sponsored reports are in-depth examinations of topics direclty relevant to Canadian maritime security.
The “Fourth Battle” for the Arctic: Russia’s Capabilities, Strategic Thinking, and Game Plan
March 2025
By Sergey Sukhankin
Russia’s progressively evident anti-Western course (traceable to 1999) has turned the Arctic region into a zone of confrontation – not a region of peace and partnership. Russia’s relationship with the West is unlikely to improve, too, given Russia’s growing isolationism, course on militarization, and petrification of the current political architecture, in which the so-called “siloviki” faction is enjoying a privileged position.
Indeed, if Russia achieves its goals in Ukraine, the model of “Putinism” will outlive President Vladimir Putin and the current political elite in power. At this juncture, new areas of tension and Russia-engineered local conflicts are likely to emerge. Russia will use conflicts and confrontation with the West to achieve both domestic and foreign policy goals and objectives.
Asymmetric Enabler: An Overview of Global USV and UUV Developments
March 2025
By David Thomas
This paper is an in-depth environment scan of global uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) and uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) developments, specifically focusing on armed platforms that can supplement the fires of the RCN fleet. It summarizes different platforms that are now being deployed globally to understand mission sets and the vehicles’ intended roles within proposed fleet architectures. These USV capabilities have been categorized based on size and role. The five USV categories include large USVs, medium USVs, small USVs, one-way-attack (OWA) USVs, and USV carriers of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). Due to the immature nature of armed UUV technology, these systems are presented together. From this overview, this paper offers impressions on why NATO allies are investing in uncrewed platforms and how a future RCN fleet architecture could integrate these assets with traditional warships
Canada’s Arctic Defence Capabilities: Insights from Inside the CAF’s Cold Weather Operations – Leader Course and 1 CAD/CANR HQ
February 2025
By Kate E. Todd
From January 22 to 23, 2025, the author was given a unique opportunity to learn more about the Arctic defence capabilities of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) by experiencing them first-hand. The CAF’s Stakeholder Engagement team invited a group of Arctic experts to observe the Canadian Army’s Cold Weather Operations – Leader course at Canadian Forces Base Shilo and tour the headquarters of 1 Canadian Air Division and the Canadian North American Aerospace Defence Command Region. Prior to the trip, stakeholders were given a pre-brief, detailing the Canadian Army’s policies, strategies, directives, operations, and training pertaining to the Arctic. Throughout the pre-brief and visit, it was evident that the Canadian Armed Forces is serious about and working towards urgently bolstering its Arctic defence capabilities. Yet, Canada’s procurement system, lack of trained personnel, and dated equipment continue to hamper these efforts.
A Life-Cycle Costing Case Study
2024
By Howie Smith, Ian Parker, Griffin Cudmore-Keating, and Adam Lajeunesse
In recent years, one of the major debates surrounding the National Shipbuilding Strategy has been the cost of the vessels being delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), relative to comparable warships to allied and partner navies around the world. In many instances, RCN vessels appear several times more expensive than comparable ships, despite similar capabilities. Building costs for advanced warships are complex but one of the most obvious differentiators is the methodology which a government or shipyard uses to cost a vessel. This note breaks down the Life-Cycle Costing (LCC) methodology, which the Government of Canada uses to cost major capital purchases, like naval vessels. The LCC system is the process of compiling all the costs of a procurement program as well as the cost, actual and estimated of operating the vessel over its intended life and finally disposal. This includes actual and estimated costs which will be incurred over the full lifespan of the project.
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