NR 11.124 - October 26, 2011
Ottawa – The 2011 North American Technology Demonstration (NATD) being held at the Ottawa Convention Centre is bringing together a thousand of the world’s leaders in defence and security. NATO’s three-day technology demonstration is hosted jointly by the Department of National Defence (DND) and the United States Department of Defence’s Non-Lethal Weapons Program and is expected to attract military and civilian members from over 30 different countries. The 2011 NATD will showcase non-lethal capabilities that can be acquired and fielded quickly in support of NATO and counter-terrorism operations.
“Non-lethal capabilities provide operating forces with an important capability that reduces casualties and collateral damage, and saves lives in situations where distinguishing between adversaries and innocent civilians is difficult,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. “In hosting this year’s conference, we are injecting over $1.5 million dollars into the Canadian economy.”
Canada is the chairman of the NATO Defence Against Terrorism (DAT) programme of work’s 11th Initiative on non-lethal capabilities. The programme of work for the DAT’s 11th initiative serves to provide NATO forces with better response capabilities that minimize collateral damage.
The 2011 NATD will enable industry the opportunity to inform participants from NATO, and other nations on the availability, development, effects and potential uses of various non-lethal capabilities. It will also promote technological developments related to non-lethal capabilities through the sharing of requirements with participating companies.
The schedule for the 2011 NATD includes NATO and Allied Working Group Meetings on 25 October, a conference and static display on 26 October, and a dynamic demonstration of non-lethal capabilities on 27 October.
DND is committed to supporting operational capabilities and continues to explore options to ensure that the Canadian Forces are provided with the necessary supplies and equipment to meet any current or contingency missions and all associated training requirements.
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Notes to editor / news director: For more information on the 2011 NATD please visit the 2011 NATD website at www.2011natd.ca.
For background information on Canada’s involvement in the 2011 NATD, please see DND’s 2011 NATD Backgrounder at http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/news-nouvelles/news-nouvelles-eng.asp?id=3974.
