Core responsibility 2: Ready Forces
In this section
- Description
- Progress on results
- Key risks
- Resources required to achieve results
- Related government-wide priorities
- Program inventory
Description
Field combat ready forces able to succeed in an unpredictable and complex security environment in the conduct of concurrent operations associated with all mandated missions.
Progress on results
This section presents details on how the department performed to achieve results and meet targets for Ready Forces. Details are presented by departmental result.
Indicator |
Target |
Date to achieve |
2021-22 result |
2022-23 result |
2023-24 result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
% of operations that are capable of being conducted concurrently |
At least 90% |
March 2024 |
N/A |
27%Footnote 2 |
29%Footnote 3 |
% of force elements that are ready for operations in accordance with established targets |
At least 90% |
March 2024 |
71% |
61% |
67%Footnote 4 |
Indicator |
Target |
Date to achieve |
2021-22 result |
2022-23 result |
2023-24 result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
% of maritime key fleets that are serviceable to meet training and readiness requirements in support of concurrent operations |
At least 60% |
March 2024 |
54% |
51.2% |
45.73%Footnote 6 |
% of key land fleets that are serviceable to meet training and readiness requirements in support of concurrent operations |
At least 80% |
March 2024 |
65.8% |
56% |
49%Footnote 7 |
% of aerospace key fleets that are serviceable to meet training and readiness requirements in support of concurrent operations |
At least 85% |
March 2024 |
43% |
43.88% |
48.9%Footnote 8 |
Additional information on the detailed results and performance information for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces' program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.
Details on results
The following section describes the results for Ready Forces in FY 2023–24 compared with the planned results set out in the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces' departmental plan for the year.
Canadian Armed Forces are ready to conduct concurrent operations
The Joint Managed Readiness Program continued high-pace activities designed to ensure that the CAF remained as ready as possible to conduct complex operations in contested and degraded, and operationally limited environments through participation in, and execution of, Canadian and international exercises and training events. In FY 2023-24, the CAF participated in numerous major joint and combined exercises. Significant effort was made to collect and analyze the lessons learned from Operation LASER and Operation VECTOR, the CAF's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Operation RECONSTITUTION: Substantial requests for CAF personnel to deploy on operations, coupled with ongoing force generation and institutional demands, challenged the CAF's ability (especially mid-level leadership) to fulfill Government of Canada (GoC) objectives. With the additional and concurrent implementation of critical initiatives such as culture change, capability development, development of new personnel policies, as well as the increasing demands on CAF resources due to multiple concurrent crisis around the globe and at home, the Defence Team still managed to meet the Government of Canada objectives. However, this increased demand, coupled with the limited success of implemented initiatives of Operation RECONSTITUTION, may affect the CAF's ability to sustain its mission over the longer term.
In FY 2023-24, DND/CAF sought to optimize operations and commitments as per the CAF Reconstitution directive. To continue meeting the demands, the CAF implemented the following pillars:
- Pillar 1 – Recalibrate Operations. Manage Force Employment demand to create mid-level leader capacity for the force generators (Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force) to grow the CAF. As the CAF's primary force employer, Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) found creative ways to recalibrate operations, customize the length of deployments, and source personnel from non-traditional force generators;
- Pillar 2 – Review Readiness Levels. Review individual and collective readiness levels to allow training resources to be re-invested and grow the CAF. CJOC conducted a Force Posture and Readiness review, streamlined readiness requirements, and minimized collective training; and
- Pillar 3 – Review Internal Processes. Create internal efficiencies focused on improving force sustainment and better managing the workforce. CJOC has conducted a sustainment review and published "CJOC Our People: The Long Game – A Long-Term Human Resources Strategy to 2037".
However, despite these measures, reconstitution efforts were not as successful as anticipated. It is estimated that to fully reconstitute, the CAF requires predictable and stable resourcing along with a rebalancing between force employment demands and force generation capacity. For example, while the CAF is experiencing a personnel shortage, the modernization of NORAD and Our North Strong and Free: Canada’s Defence Policy, will require up to an additional 14,500 personnel to implement, which further widens the gap between available CAF personnel and force employment requirements.
The Defence Team established measures, directed in the CAF Reconstitution Directive, which will be enduring in future years given the current environment of diminished personnel and equipment resources. Measures include the reallocation of limited personnel and equipment resources from lower priority tasks to concentrate resources on core tasks including:
- Training and force generation requirements;
- Increased use of computer-aided command and control;
- Brigade-level modeling spanning Canada and deployed forces in Latvia; and
- New ways of developing RCAF training to include offshore training and increased reliance on simulator training.
The Force Posture and Readiness Directive was realigned with the CAF Reconstitution Directive. Longer-term plans were developed to streamline recruitment and retention and adapt to the contemporary dynamics of the Canadian workforce marketplace. Needs assessments for military capabilities and weapons systems were completed and funding and procurement strategies explored, developed, and put in place for a multi-year ongoing procurement process in support of CAF Reconstitution.
The CAF conducted and participated in training scenarios in domestic, continental and international contexts with other government departments and agencies, Allies and partner nations to enhance integration, interoperability and joint readiness. Despite our ability to plan, predict, and withstand operational environments, there remains an ongoing need for flexibility and agility within the forces. This allows DND to adapt and effectively utilize existing resources to accomplish the tasks at hand. The following exercises took place in fiscal year (FY) 2023-24:
- Exercise STEADFAST DEFENDER: North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)'s largest major joint exercise in decades took place with the participation of approximately 1,000 CAF members across the RCN, CA, RCAF and Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) participated together with approximately 90,000 other allied military personnel. This exercise rehearsed NATO's Deterrence and Defence plans to counter threats to the Euro-Atlantic area and successfully demonstrated the CAF's ability to perform complex logistics and deploy in Northern operations;
- The CA changed its methodology in training at the brigade level during 2023. Exercise STEADFAST DEFENDER, a computer-assisted exercise provided an opportunity for five Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (5 CMBG) to work in a NATO context, in Latvia, with communications systems and software that will be used upon arrival in theatre. As this exercise focused on the Brigade Headquarters, the training audience was approximately 80 Canadian personnel with an exercise support structure of an additional 80 allied troops;
- JOINT OPERATIONS SYMPOSIUM: Since 2017, the annual Chief of the Defence Staff chaired Joint Operations Symposium (JOS) has brought together senior defence and security leaders, practitioners and other experts to address major challenges facing the CAF and the broader defence and security team. This year's symposium was the largest JOS to date. JOS 2024 focused on the theme "insights on, and solutions for the operational challenges facing the CAF and Defence," with particular attention on the protracted illegal war in Ukraine and capturing emerging operational trends and lessons for Canada and its Allies. Also of particular focus was the examination of better ways to engage and strengthen the Canadian Defence Industrial Base, and to discuss potential solutions for Canada's challenges in defence procurement. Of note were the extensive discussions on the direct link between Canadian national security and the economic security and prosperity of Canada;
- Exercise VIGILANT SHIELD: Part of the US Globally Integrated Exercise programme, this annual exercise involving North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and the CAF, which focuses on the defence and security of North America. In FY 2023-24, Exercise VIGILANT SHIELD was successfully executed as the best iteration evaluated to date and demonstrated effective cooperation between the CAF, NORAD and NORTHCOM. However, as the CAF is not resourced with the same classified Information Technology systems as its American counterparts, there were interoperability and communication issues;
- Exercise READY RENAISSANCE: Annual readiness exercise for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief conducted by 1st Canadian Division Headquarters, which delivered collective training to enable the confirmation of the Humanitarian Assistance Response Team and Rapid Reaction Package – Initial Support portion of the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART);
- Exercise READY ANGLE: This readiness exercise enabled the certification of 1st Canadian Division Headquarters' ability to force generate, deploy and sustain a Command-and-Control capability, based on the Operational Liaison and Reconnaissance Team portion in support the Global Affairs Canada (GAC) led execution of a non-combatant evacuation operation;
- Exercise ULCHI FREEDOM SHIELD: In support of Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, the CAF participated in two iterations together with other United Nations Command Member states which demonstrated readiness to respond to simulated crisis situations and security threats in the Korean peninsula. While the United States military led these exercises, the CAF provided a significant contribution to the United States Forces Korea/Combined Forces Command with additional individual augmentation from the 1st Canadian Division in the form of intelligence, liaison, logistics, Civil-Military Cooperation, Public-Affairs and watch personnel to exercise all functions of a warfighting headquarters;
- Exercise TALISMAN SABRE (Ex TS): Ex TS is a biennial United States/Australia exercise hosted by the Australian Defence Force. This exercise is designed to strengthen bilateral regional defence relationships, engage in areas of mutual interest, enhance interoperability, and practice high-end warfighting in the Australia Area of Operations. Ex TS23 occurred in various locations in Queensland, Australia, including the maritime approaches. Canada's participation included HMCS Montreal, and individual staff augmentation in various Australian and combined headquarters;
- Exercise CUTLASS FURY 23: A Canadian-led multi-national exercise focused on interoperability between Allies, joint elements, and submarine warfare threats, occurred in September 2023 off the coast of Nova Scotia. This exercise also included air-maritime integration between the RCN, the RCAF, as well as amphibious landings conducted by the CA;
- ENTERPRISE STORM (renamed STORM FORCE 23): A series of demonstration and assessment events specifically tailored to help achieve building a modern and resilient intelligence infrastructure and architecture; and leverage international partnerships as a combined and interdependent community. The CA was selected to represent the broader community during the execution stage. Detailed training objectives were set to achieve the two overarching objectives primarily in increasing the resilience of the architecture and the collaborative value of improved relationships across the partners. At execution, these objectives were further scoped to the participants and their capabilities;
- Exercise MAPLE RESOLVE 23 (MR 23): This exercise focused on the NATO Response Force (NRF) remit and resulted in the validation of two Mechanized Infantry Battalions, 1st and 2nd Battalion Royal 22e Régiment, an Armoured Regiment, 12e Régiment blindé du Canada, and enablers in a brigade-level environment. During the exercise, approximately 2,000 Canadian Army soldiers, joined and supported by multi-national forces, tested their abilities to integrate with joint capabilities from other CAF commands. The United States, United Kingdom, and Australian militaries also participated in MAPLE RESOLVE 23. The exercise provided CA leaders, soldiers, other CAF personnel and Allies with a unique opportunity to validate their combat readiness within a NATO construct using the Decisive Action Training Environment EUROPE scenario. The requirement for flexible responses across a spectrum of situations challenged commanders at all levels. The exercise provided CA with its final certification for land and air element to accomplish forces contribution to NATO's mandate;
- Exercise TRADEWINDS: Together with 21 partner nations, Canada contributed 38 CAF members to this annual United States Southern Command exercise aimed at strengthening partnerships and promoting security cooperation in the Caribbean region involving security forces and disaster response agencies. The CAF participated in, and led, discussions on planning operations, with a particular focus on providing Humanitarian and Disaster Assistance and human rights training and instruction related to the Women, Peace, and Security initiative. In addition, the exercise focused on training capacity and capability to mitigate, plan for, and respond to regional crises and security threats. Hosted by Guyana, this exercise enhanced DND/CAF's situational awareness in the region and contributed to Canada's reputation and influence with the Caribbean Community;
- Exercise PRECISE RESPONSE: This exercise occurred in summer 2023 with NATO Allies and partners at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Suffield. CFB Suffield offers a unique training area for Canadian Soldiers and our Allies and partners, allowing. Training scenarios were designed for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) response specialists and non-specialists. CBRN Defence readiness objectives were achieved for some elements of the NATO CBRN Response Task Force through the accomplishment of tasks in a demanding and realistic training environment, with lessons learned were integrated into the Joint Lessons Learned management system for future development;
- Exercise COALITION SPACE FLAG: A present-based, semi-annual, United States Space Force-led collective defence in space exercise. Canadian Space Operations Centre operators exercised defence schemes, tactics and procedures in a variety of simulated threats in numerous, often overlapping domains (e.g. missile warning, space, cyber, Electronic Warfare);
- The RCAF, RCN and CA participated in Exercise Virtual Flag: Coalition (VF: C) 24-1:
- Participation in VF: C met the high-level objectives of joint targeting, projection and sustainment of joint forces and operations in a contested, degraded and operationally limited (CDO) environment against a peer adversary in a realistic wartime scenario. VF: C 24-1 featured increased participation of joint targeting and intelligence personnel from Canada.
- DND/CAF planned and successfully participated in Spartan Warrior (SW) 23-2, from 25 to 28 September 2023. Operational Command and Control was successfully exercised via virtual networks, leveraging joint air operations in a synthetic coalition environment. Multi-domain operations were simulated in contested threat environments which otherwise cannot be replicated for live flying domestically;
- Exercise GLOBAL SENTINEL 23: A future-based, space domain awareness exercise in a simulated operational space environment. This multi-nation exercise was hosted by the United States Space Command. Friendly nations shared and practiced tactics, techniques and procedures. Web-based operational and analytical tools were utilized to provide insights into how the Allied approach to space domain warfare needs to adapt to maintain dominance. Unlike other domains, nearly all space domain manoeuvres need to be simulated. Exercises like Global Sentinel provide a unique opportunity to conduct such exploratory techniques using state-of-the- art tools alongside our allied partners;
- THORS HAMMER 23 and SCHRIEVER WARGAME 23: Thors Hammer (TH) 23 is a future-based space and cyber wargame, attended by Four-Eyes nations (US, CAN, UK, AUS) centered on the ability to conduct combined space operations against a near-peer adversary centered on allied intelligence gathering space architectures. The outcomes of TH are focused on optimizing Allies' space intelligence gathering architectures and the conduct of combined space operations surrounding these architectures.
Schriever Wargame 23 (SW23) is also a space and cyber future-based wargame, focused on allied nations' ability to conduct combined space operations in the face of a near-peer adversary but where all elements of national power (diplomatic, information, military and economic) are leveraged by nations to confront the adversary throughout the wargame, and is attended by FVEY plus DEU, FRA, JPN and representatives from the commercial and civil space sectors. The outcomes of SW are used to shape all aspects of nations' space programs including force development, force generation, force employment, collaboration and cooperation with the commercial and civil space sectors as well as developing supporting and enabling national policy and legal frameworks for the seamless conduct of combined space operations;
- Evolution of the Ammunition Program saw significant progress during FY 2023-24. Strategic Reserve and annual training of the quantitative requirements are now well defined in coordination with Services with annual reviews implemented to ensure currency / relevance with capability modernization. Improved requirements definition coupled with inventory pre-positioning (in Canada and abroad) continues to inform infrastructure priorities as well as improving clarity in personnel requirements by location. The evolving global security environment has necessitated increased engagements with Allies and partners in support of ongoing Our North, Strong and Free (ONSAF): A Renewed Vision for Canada's Defence. These engagements are being leveraged to best enable CAF capability while simultaneously formalizing the Ammunition Program Governance. Efforts continue to be balanced between CAF demand and institutional enablement to ensue Accountabilities, Responsibilities and Authorities are appropriately defined to ensure long-term resilience of the Program;

Caption
Members of CANSOFCOM approach a CH-146 Griffon helicopter in a staging area in northern Scandinavia in February 2024 as part of Exercise NORDIC RESPONSE and NATO’s STEADFAST DEFENDER.
Photo: Canadian Armed Forces
- The Soldier Readiness Policy-Reserve has been finalized and is in the final stages of approval. FY 2023-24 was used to test and evaluate the effectiveness of the policy, clarifying training requirements and providing greater predictability to personnel;
- There is a high demand for the employment of Army Reservists, both domestically and internationally. During FY 2023-24, eight domestic Operation LENTUS operations required the support of over 541 Army Reserve personnel. This represents 22% of all personnel that were required to conduct these operations. In terms of international operations, Army Reserve personnel have on average represented 20 to 24% of all Army positions;
- The Canadian Rangers were employed based on their geographic location, GoC, CAF and local needs. To preserve and safeguard Canada’s Arctic sovereignty, Canadian Rangers conducted limited patrols in isolated Northern areas, including to the North Warning System sites and critical infrastructure. Their presence in over 201 sparsely settled and isolated communities has contributed to their resiliency and strength, through the delivery of the Junior Canadian Ranger program, as well as support with disaster response and evacuations. The Canadian Rangers conducted and supported reconnaissance and ground preparation of designated areas in advance of CAF training and operations, provided local knowledge, cultural advice, predator control, interpretation, translation and guide services to DND/CAF personnel. The CAF, through the Canadian Rangers Enhancement initiative is in the process of modernizing the Canadian Rangers’ vision, mission, tasks, training, and includes reinvigorating their role as sensors in Canada’s North;
- The CAF Joint Counter Explosive Threat (JCET) organization completed multiple engagements with NATO and the American, British, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand (ABCANZ) organizations, primarily through doctrine and policy working groups. The CAF JCET organization also identified and helped to coordinate multiple training opportunities for CAF explosive ordnance disposal operators with NATO and ABCANZ Allies, including Exercise RAVEN'S CHALLENGE, which is coordinated by the United States and Exercise NORTHERN CHALLENGE, coordinated by NATO. The CAF Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (JCBRN) defence capability engaged with partners to ensure that Canada is well-informed of and contributed to international standards, including NATO and ABCANZ Standardization Agreements. Results are increased interoperability between Allies for operations and force protection against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats; and
- Contributing to the CAF's ability to anticipate requirements, CANSOFCOM generated forces designed to illuminate and understand atmospherics and emerging threats. CANSOFCOM planned and participated in training and exercises including Exercise VITAL ARCHER 23, a United States-Canada bilateral exercise focused on counterterrorism, and counter weapons of mass destruction with approximately 1,400 participants from 23 United States and Canadian government agencies from across the national security enterprise.
DND/CAF has made progress towards increasing the supply chain and strategic lines of communication resiliency. In particular, the CJOC began a redefinition of the Operational support hub (OSH) Framework to standardize support functions and clarify related authorities. When completed, this strategic framework will increase the OSH network ability to adjust its size and scope to respond to the GoC priorities and requirements. In FY 2023-24, the OSH in Jamaica went from caretaker status to a central location to deploy personnel and humanitarian assistance to support peace and stability in Latin-America and the Caribbean, with a particular focus to supporting Operation HELIOS. The inherent flexibility in location, size and degree of responsiveness will enhance operational support while minimizing resource expenditures. DND/CAF also explored OSH options and related considerations through agreements with Allies, partners and contractors, as opposed to, or in conjunction with, the physical presence of CAF assets and personnel where feasible and efficient.
The CAF developed new capabilities in the field of Joint Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance, specifically:
- DND/CAF worked with Allies and partners, including NATO, to enhance our ability to connect to and share data with key partner entities. These included the NATO Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Force and the European Partner Integration Enterprise. In each case, DND/CAF enables initial data exchange, or facilitated ongoing engagement to permit closer work with those agencies;
- Exercise UNIFIED VISION 23: This was a distributed NATO exercise that occurred from 12 to 23 June 2023. The exercise was held across North America and Europe and involved many NATO elements and capabilities. Canadian participation spanned from Ottawa, Ontario to Comox, British Columbia, and included participation from the RCN, CA, and RCAF. The exercise achieved the primary goal of demonstrating connectivity of various sensor platforms with nodes in Canada and throughout Europe. In particular, the CAF demonstrated, for the first time ever, the transmission of live Uncrewed Aircraft System feed from Canada's West Coast to Ottawa; and
- DND/CAF continued to champion CAF Joint Counter Uncrewed Airborne Systems (CUAS) efforts during the past year. Foremost among these efforts have been ongoing cooperation with the United States Department of Defence Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate to develop novel CUAS solutions for the CAF. Additionally, CJOC worked closely with Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) to develop various forms of advanced technology solutions to CUAS problems – ranging from drone detection to layered active defence. Much of this cooperative work directly supported to CA's CUAS Urgent Operational Requirement that sought to acquire solutions for deployed CAF forces.
The Cyber Security Engineering Program (CSEP) Team completed the design and initial procurement of a new Secure Gateway for Remote Services to better departmental and operational access to classified information in support of Major and Minor Capital programmes. The CSEP team procured hardware and software licenses to host the Enterprise Endpoint Detection and Response (EEDR) capability, and training vouchers to educate users on system maintenance. CSEP continued to integrate EEDR into the Canadian Forces Network Operation Centre's capabilities in support of DND/CAF cyber defence objectives.The Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance and the Engineering (C4ISR) and Integration Program continues to provide critical network engineering support (Sustainment/New Capabilities) for Allied Interoperability, specifically Canada, the United States and the Five Eyes network interoperability. The C4ISR continued to provide critical engineering and support to the Virtual Hosted Desktop, File and Print services, Directory Services and migration support to cloud, Defence365 technical support and new functionality implementation, and mobile support to plus 50,000 users. C4ISR provided endpoint management and protection services on our enterprise networks that improve resilience of the DND/CAF Command and Control infrastructure.
Military equipment is ready for training and operations
In FY 2023-24, National Procurement spending increased to approximately $4.1 billion, as the program sought to address increased resource demands of aging fleets and life extensions, increased operational requirements, technological advances, and increased contract costs.
Underfunding in the CA’s National Procurement envelope, labour shortages of technicians and increasing workload on aging and self-divesting fleets without timely replacements has resulted in the CA being unable to meet current equipment serviceability targets outlined in the Canadian Army Equipment Readiness Program. During FY 2023-24, due to these factors and increases in operational remits from Operation REASSURANCE, these serviceability targets were reviewed to better reflect the actual equipment demands required to meet the CA tasks outlined within the Managed Readiness Plan. The CA has undertaken initiatives focused directly on increasing serviceability of key CA fleets, such as developing a more efficient inspection cycle and use of technician time.
In FY 2023-24, the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessels (AOPVs) continued to fulfill their mandate of asserting Canadian sovereignty in the country's Northern waters, contributing to Canada's international commitments by supporting operations abroad, and safeguarded the nation's interests through bolstering partnerships with other government departments.
Repair activities for technical issues impacted the AOPVs operational schedule in 2023. As a result, only one AOPV, HMCS Harry DeWolf, was able to deploy for Operation NANOOK in August 2023. The ship participated in presence patrols in the region and demonstrated the RCN's ability to deploy and conduct exercises with our Allies, international and whole-of-government partners, in the Arctic.
HMCS Margaret Brooke sailed south in January 2024 to conduct Operation CARIBBE. HMCS William Hall was delivered in August 2023, immediately followed by the post delivery work period. Work progressed towards integrating the CH-148 Cyclone with the goal of conducting daytime operations later in 2024. HMCS Max Bernays technical issues were rectified in the summer of 2023, followed by operational status transfer to the RCN on 4 August 2023. The ship participated in Exercise CUTLASS FURY 23 in September, followed by Basic Single Ship Readiness Training in December. The remainder of the ship's program was focused on completing post-acceptance trials prior to coastal transfer. The primary weapon system was trialed in December, followed by a sail to the St. Lawrence Seaway for cold weather trials in January 2024. The ship began its transfer to Esquimalt, British Columbia, via the Panama Canal in March 2024.
Canadian Patrol Submarine Project: Throughout FY 2023-24, the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project Integrated Project Team (CPSP IPT) comprised of representatives from the RCN, Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel), Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy), Assistant Deputy Minister (Finance), GAC, Public Services and Procurement Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada worked to achieve policy coverage for the replacement of the Victoria-class through a Memorandum to Cabinet. The Project Team progressed Options Analysis conducting operational, sustainment and infrastructure requirements elicitation and stakeholder engagement with Industry, and Foreign Governments and Militaries.
Key risks
There are many risks associated with the Ready Forces core responsibility. Three of the key risks are articulated below:
Military Strength – There is a risk that DND/CAF will not have the right military personnel, in the right numbers, at the right place, and at the right time.
Military Competencies – There is a risk that DND/CAF will not have the right military personnel, with the right competencies, in the right place and at the right time.
Materiel Maintenance – There is a risk that DND/CAF may have difficulty maintaining its materiel capabilities at the right level to support operations.
As the Defence Departmental Results Framework reflects a chain of delivery from conceiving of the required armed forces, to developing them and then executing operations, the activities to mitigate the risks to the Ready Forces core responsibility can also be found in other core responsibilities which deliver building blocks that enable the results of Ready Forces.
Resources required to achieve results
Resource |
Planned |
Actual |
---|---|---|
Spending |
$10,775,809,423 |
$13,368,953,007 |
Full-time equivalents |
44,108 |
42,208 |
Complete financial and human resources information for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces' program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.
Related government-wide priorities
Gender-based analysis plus
In FY 2023-24, The Defence Team continued efforts to promote Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) across all initiatives in the Intelligence Enterprise by progressing opportunities to integrate gender and intersectional perspectives into policy and advice provided to government. The inclusion of GBA Plus in Intelligence Requirement Management and Collection Management System business practices and as part of the analytical tools used in the Intelligence Cycle is serving to expand awareness, training and normalization of these efforts. The increase in the number of Intelligence personnel experienced in applying GBA Plus will aid in the mainstreaming of GBA Plus.
The integration of GBA Plus into operational planning is also increasing CANSOFCOM's understanding of the effects of operations on vulnerable groups, improving its situational and cultural awareness, and enabling a better understanding of gender considerations and inclusivity factors that may impact mission success. CANSOFCOM continues to develop key performance indicators as part of its GBA Plus Implementation Plan while working to further embed GBA Plus within its operations.
Additionally, the Canadian Forces Health Services Center and the Royal Canadian Chaplain Service (RCChs) continue to provide GBA Plus-informed support to members, by ensuring key program interventions include support informed by gender and diversity criteria. For example, RCChs ensures that all members receive the support they need and continues to recruit more diverse members in underrepresented groups and in various spiritualities/faith traditions. Health services, meanwhile, continues to work in the space of Women and Diversity Health to close gaps in access for, and knowledge on, specific healthcare needs.
More information on GBA Plus can be found in the GBA Plus Supplementary Information Tables section of this report.
United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals
DND/CAF responded to the Defence Energy and Environment Strategy.
Target 7 – Released the Path to Net Zero Strategy in February 2023. The initial Operational Fleet Decarbonization Plan, which includes greenhouse gas projections, will be released in summer 2024 in advance of the remit date requested by the Treasury Board Secretariat Centre for Greening Government, by incorporating the original strategy for aviation fuels by approving all RCAF fleets to use low carbon fuels (e.g. sustainable aviation fuel). RCAF fleets have already used low carbon fuels where operationally feasible, available and affordable.
Target 11 – Implemented recommendations assessing the Climate Change Impacts on RCAF Operations. Specifically, the RCAF has focused on establishing initial training to enshrine climate mitigation and adaptation culture. The RCAF has realigned with the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy as well as the new Greening Government Strategy and new Defence Climate and Sustainability Strategy. New targets and goals have been promulgated for the RCAF in each of these strategies, which will be incorporated in future Departmental plan statements and Departmental results reporting.
More information on The Department of National Defence's contributions to Canada's Federal Implementation Plan on the 2030 Agenda and the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy can be found in the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.
Indigenous relations
The Future Aircrew Training program project team, along with qualified suppliers, continues to engage and consult with Métis communities and First Nations in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. This ensures Indigenous participation and meaningful consultation throughout the upcoming Future Air Crew Training program project phases. The goal is to award 5% of the total contract value to Indigenous-led businesses. The project team is actively exploring ways to involve Indigenous businesses in major defense procurements, which will enhance CAF readiness and support the economic development of Indigenous communities.
Innovation
In FY 2023-24, DND/CAF continued innovation in the development of Joint Ready Forces through combined initiatives that will assist in developing concepts, organizational designs, and doctrine. These included:
- Joint Arctic Experiment (JAE) 23: The JAE continued equipment trials and capability development initiatives, leveraging joint experience in support of overcoming operational challenges in the Arctic environment;
- Exercise BOLD QUEST 23: This exercise provided participants the opportunity to test capabilities in a realistic operational environment whilst enabling the opportunity to enhance interoperability within the areas of target acquisition, tracking, and prosecution in a digital feed environment as well to refine technologies and tactics, techniques and procedures through demonstrations and assessments. The exercise supports the CAF’s efforts to leverage digital modernization in support of tactical and operational decision-making; and
- The Vice Chief of the Defence Staff Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Data Fusion Experimentation: DND investigated problems to learn, adapt and exploit new capabilities for data fusion in support of the National Defence Operation Intelligence Centre and various CAF Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance projects.
Data collection via the Joint Arctic Experiment continued in support of science and technology-related decision-making. This resulted in power and energy solutions for camps deployed on Arctic operations, including future Arctic camp supporting tools and equipment.
In FY 2023-24, DND/CAF participation in Joint Arctic Experiment 23 included collection activities in support of research on cold weather injuries.
Program inventory
Ready Forces is supported by the following programs:
- Strategic Command and Control;
- Ready Naval Forces;
- Ready Land Forces;
- Ready Air and Space Forces;
- Ready Special Operations Forces;
- Ready Cyber and Joint Communication Information Systems Forces;
- Ready Intelligence Forces;
- Ready Joint and Combined Forces;
- Ready Health, Military Police and Support Forces;
- Equipment Support; and
- Employer Support Programs.
Additional information related to the program inventory for Ready Forces is available on the Results page on GC InfoBase.
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