Foreword

The Canadian Army is at a pivotal moment in its history. The world around us is changing at an accelerated pace. Canada has a more important role than ever to play in this new environment: supporting our allies abroad, promoting peace, defending free trade and the rule of law internationally, and ensuring security and stability domestically. We once assumed that these conditions were guaranteed. They are not. Foreign powers, of multiple natures and scopes, challenge the basis of our society with ever more sophisticated means. The proliferation of advanced technologies and the increasing complexity of pan-domain operations are reshaping the character of warfare.

Our adversaries are not waiting. They are adapting and preparing for conflict across all domains. Through non-conventional tactics, they have been actively shaping the battlespace. Frictions—if not skirmishes—are already contained daily in the informational and cyber spaces. The Canadian Army is therefore embarking on an urgent and comprehensive modernization effort not for tomorrow, but for today. Inflection Point 2025 (IP2025) is our roadmap to deliver scalable, agile combat power for today’s fight and tomorrow’s demands. IP2025 outlines how we will modernize our force structure, enhance readiness, and develop the capabilities necessary to operate effectively in a complex and dynamic battlespace. This modernization cannot be achieved in isolation; it requires a collaborative approach with the whole Department of National Defence, Canadian society and industry, where each partner contributes its unique expertise. Together, we will build the army Canada needs. It will be an army that is ready, resilient, relevant and lethal. The stakes are high. The Canadian Army must be ready because the enemy will not wait. Our modernization is not optional. It is essential. IP2025 is not merely a document. It is a call to action to think differently, act decisively and lead boldly.

This issue of the Canadian Army Journal is a powerful reminder of what it means to pursue excellence in the Canadian Army. It showcases the collaborative spirit of commissioned and non-commissioned members, both active and retired, working alongside public servants, defence scholars and international allies. Together, they bring diverse perspectives, challenge assumptions, draw on lessons learned, and contribute grounded, experience-based thinking to complex problems. The focus of this issue—urban operations—demonstrates just how much depth and rigour a single topic demands. Differentiating between decisive best practices and well-intentioned but naive or biased opinions requires serious intellectual effort. The level of inquiry presented here reflects the professionalism and critical thinking that must underpin our approach to modern warfare.

The future land operations environment is filled with similarly complex and consequential topics. This journal stands as a testament to the importance of thoughtful analysis, open dialogue and a commitment to doing things not just correctly, but exceptionally well. Its editorial team has been entrusted with carrying that mission forward in the years ahead. You can expect many more articles on modernization as we move forward.

As IP2025 is put in motion and new announcements are made this year and in the following years, as we scale to seize, hold and defend territory in support of Canadian sovereignty and allied defence, it will be important to foster a reflexive, analytical and intellectually rigorous culture throughout all levels of the Army: a culture of excellence. In today’s environment, doing what must be done is no longer enough; we must be the best at doing it. The process of preparing, adapting and thinking ahead is what will give us that edge. I encourage all readers, including soldiers, scholars, allies and partners, to engage with these ideas, carry them in their specific units, discuss them with friends, put them in question and, through all of that, contribute to the transformation ahead.

Brigadier-General J. D. S. Masson, OMM, MSM, CD
Chief of Staff Army Strategy

This article first appeared in the November, 2025 edition of Canadian Army Journal (21-2).