Media Room: Defence Transcripts

Abstract - Adaptive Responses to Complex Environments

Delivered by MAJGEN Alan Howard, Deputy Commander, Canadian Army

Chief of Army Exercise

Check against delivery

The Canadian Army, similar to most, must be ready to operate within an international security arena marked by uncertainty, volatility, and risk. The likelihood of large force on force exchanges continues to be eclipsed by irregular warfare conducted by highly adaptive, technologically enabled adversaries, media savvy foes intent less on defeating armed forces than eroding an adversary's will to fight, rogue states bent on challenging the status quo and transnational criminal organizations ready, willing and able to buy, sell and trade everything from drugs to armaments for their own gain.

Against this back drop Canada expects its Army to generate combat-effective multiple purpose forces. These forces will be highly mobile, adaptive, networked, sustainable and capable of operating in a joint, interagency, multinational and public JIMP context. Their aim is to protect prosperity, peace, order and good government at home and to contribute to international peace and security.

Drawing on experiences of fielding combat formations/units in Afghanistan the aim of this address - Canadian Army Operational Lessons Learned - is to highlight several key issues that have focus and attention at senior levels within the Canadian Army. Issues to be highlighted include: 

• The Canadian  soldier and the warrior spirit - how to preserve the edge in complex environments; 
• The  combined  arms  team - its continuing relevance; 
• Force generation and training - how to institutionalize preparations for "a war" that rapidly adapt to "the war."
• Modernization in contact  - our successes in delivering capability while in contact; and  
• Establishing partnerships - effective interaction. 

In the end, the Canadian Army will focus on what it has learned in order to adapt and evolve and remain a relevant instrument for use by the Government of Canada.