       
|
 
|
Annual Report 2004-2005 - IMPACT Making a Difference
Message from the Chief Executive Officer
This is a special time for Defence R&D; Canada (DRDC), as we celebrate our fifth anniversary as a special operating agency of the Department of National Defence. We have built on our legacy of more than 60 years of research and development for the Canadian Forces to deliver world-class science and technology products and services through innovative planning, analysis, research, development and experimentation. At the same time, we have expanded our contributions to, and impact on, the broader security posture of the nation.
Early in 2005, the Government of Canada introduced a new International Policy Statement that included defence as one of its pillars. The Defence Policy Statement, the first in over a decade, is driven by the significant change in the Canadian and global security environment and calls for a significant transformation of the Canadian Forces. DRDC’s mission is to ensure that the Canadian Forces remain technologically prepared and operationally relevant, and we strive to engage the right partners and collaborators, both domestic and international, to deliver the broadest and most relevant science and technology program to the Department of National Defence and the Forces to help meet the objectives of the new policy statement. DRDC makes concerted efforts to remain close to the Canadian Forces as they engage in military planning and operations. Our Centre for Operational Research and Analysis is co-located with the Forces in both the National Defence Headquarters and across Canada. Staff from our research centres located across the country, and from our Corporate Office, are embedded in the exercises that the Canadian Forces conduct to evaluate new concepts. DRDC participates in many activities undertaken under the auspices of formal international programs, such as those conducted by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). These, along with the national efforts, help us translate the products of our research into concepts, equipment and services needed by the Canadian Forces for today and for tomorrow.
Militaries around the world have been going through a period of transformation that addresses the need to maintain effectiveness in a changing security environment. Technological change and proliferation are major elements of this environment. DRDC is contributing to insights and priorities for transformational initiatives through our long-standing relationships with the Canadian Forces and through close collaboration with both Canadian science and technology performers and the defence science agencies of our major allies. DRDC accesses investment and know-how through a number of national, multinational and bilateral relationships.
The theme of this year’s report is "Impact." Through research, development and analysis and the broad array of scientific services that we bring to the Canadian Forces and the Department of National Defence, DRDC is leading the way in providing science, technology and conceptual insights to policy, strategy, equipment and capability for the future, as well as for current operations. Increasingly, our capabilities and services are seeing dual-use application to public security priorities. This report highlights but a few of the many contributions that DRDC has made to ensuring the Canadian Forces of today and the future are among the most progressive and pre-eminent militaries of the world.DRDC continues to look to the future of science, technology and global defence and security. Our programs are on target and adapting continuously to the dynamic and ever-changing environment of the 21st century.
Robert S. Walker
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Defence R&D; Canada
