Canada's contribution to NATO
A founding Member of the Alliance, Canada currently is the sixth largest contributor
to NATO's Military and Civil Budgets. Canada's financial contribution to Alliance
common funding was $140 Million for 2003 and it's commitment in troops
totalled over 2500 in 2004. Canada is currently involved in NATO-led peace support
operations, in Afghanistan and Bosnia-Herzegovina, and NATO training in Canada
and abroad.
- Canada's support to NATO leadership in Afghanistan
- NATO-led peace support operations in the Balkans
- NATO Airborne Early Warning System
- NATO training in Canada
1. Canada's support to NATO leadership in Afghanistan
NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission demonstrates
the practical role that NATO can play in ensuring peace and security beyond
the Euroatlantic region and is an important NATO contribution to the global
war on terrorism.
In July 2003, Canadian Forces were deployed with the UN-mandated NATO-led ISAF
peace support mission operating in Kabul. Operation ATHENA, the Canadian contribution
to the NATO ISAF, consists of two six-month rotations of approximately 1,900
Canadian Forces personnel each and represents the largest contingent in ISAF.
Of this number, which includes an infantry battalion group and a brigade staff
headquarters, 1700 have been deployed to Kabul and 200 have been deployed elsewhere
in Southwest Asia in support of the mission. Canada currently holds key leadership
positions in ISAF: In January 2004, Brigadier General Jocelyn Lacroix assumed
command of the Kabul Multi-National Brigade and in February 2004, Lieutenant-General
Rick Hillier assumed command of ISAF.
Canada strongly supports NATO's leadership of ISAF in Afghanistan. After August
2004, the Canadian Forces will maintain a reduced but meaningful contribution
to ISAF. Canada will contribute an armoured reconnaissance squadron group totalling
approximately 600 personnel. We are examining the possibility of deploying a
Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in 2005.
ISAF is succeeding in its mission to help maintain security in Kabul and the
surrounding areas so that the Afghanistan Transitional Authority and UN agencies
can function. Canada supports NATO's plan to expand ISAF through the deployment
of Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) outside Kabul. The expansion will
enable ISAF to better support the Afghan Transitional Authority in projecting
its authority to the rest of the country and in providing a secure and safe
environment conducive to free and fair elections, the spread of the rule of
law and the reconstruction of the country. Canadian soldiers conduct regular
patrol missions in the Western Sector of Kabul which is the Canadian area of
responsibility. In addition, they are involved in a number of projects, such
as digging wells and repairing buildings, to help improve the quality of life
of the people in their area. Liaison with political, social and religious leaders
is helping ensure that ISAF operations respect religious, ethnic and cultural
sensitivities in Afghanistan.
Prior to Canada's participation in ISAF, Canada participated in the US-led
operation Active Endeavor from February 2002 to July 2002. Operation Apollo
(hyperlink http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/operations/Apollo/index_e.htm) was Canada's
initial military contribution to the international campaign against terrorism
following the attacks of September 11, 2001. Canadian forces und
er Operation
Apollo were part of the integrated U.S. Army task force.
For more information please see the Rebuilding Afghanistan website
which highlights the diplomatic, defence and development efforts in the region:
http://www.canada-afghanistan.gc.ca/menu-en.asp
NATO Afghanistan site:
http://www.nato.int/issues/afghanistan/index.html
2. NATO-led peace support operations in the Balkans
Canada has been engaged in peacekeeping operations in the Balkans since the
early nineties, first in UN configuration and then under the NATO flag. (Implementation
Force - IFOR in 1995, Kosovo Force - KFOR in 1999 and currently the Stabilization
Force- SFOR)
Canada currently has 650 Canadian Forces Personnel serving in SFOR. SFOR is
part of a major international effort to help Bosnia-Herzegovina reshape itself
as a democratic European nation. The SFOR mission is to deter or respond to
violence and, thus, provide the safe and secure environment necessary for the
consolidation of peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina, with the goal of promoting a climate
in which the peace process can make progress without the presence of NATO forces.
In December 2003, NATO confirmed that the security situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina
had improved so much that the strength of SFOR will be reduced from 12, 000
to 7, 000 troops by June 2004. In line with our NATO Allies, Canada has reduced
its commitment proportionate to the overall NATO reductions.
Due to the increasing security and stability in Bosnia-Herzegovina, it is now
possible to contemplate an end to the NATO mission. It is expected that NATO
leaders could announce, at the Istanbul Summit (June 27-29), that the SFOR mission
will be successfully terminated by the end of 2004. As part of this process,
NATO and the EU are currently discussing the modalities of a possible transition
from NATO to the EU in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Canada is working closely with its
Allies and EU partners to ensure a successful and seamless transition. NATO
has made a long and important contribution to Bosnian stability and security
and the Alliance will remain engaged in Bosnia even after a transition to an
EU mission.
Canada does not currently participate in NATO's other Balkan Mission, KFOR.
In 1999 Canada initially deployed about 1,400 troops as part of the NATO-led
multinational force in Kosovo (KFOR) and later moved troops to SFOR in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
To learn more about SFOR and Canada's role visit:
www.forces.gc.ca/site/operations/Palladium/index_e.asp
www.nato.int/sfor/index.htm
www.nato.int/sfor/nations/canada.htm
For more information on NATO in Kosovo, please visit:
www.nato.int/kfor/welcome.html
For more information on current and past operations of Canadian Forces, please
consult the following web page of the Department of National Defence:
http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/operations/current_ops_e.asp
3. NATO Airborne Early Warning System
Canada is a major financial supporter and contributor of personnel to the NATO Airborne Early Warning System (AWACS), a type of aircraft that provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications to NATO air defence forces. AWACS are modified commercial planes with rotating radar domes. AWACS provide NATO with early warning to significantly enhance the Alliance's air defence capability. Air-borne radar allows NATO the ability to detect and track enemy aircraft operating at low altitudes over all terrain, and to identify and give directions to friendly aircraft operating in the same area. In addition, its mobility allows it to be deployed rapidly where it is most needed, and makes it far less vulnerable to attack than ground-based radar.
Following the September 11 attack, five NATO AWACS aircraft and one cargo aircraft were dispatched as part of Operation Eagle Assist to patrol the skies over the United States and help prevent further terrorist attacks. Some 22 Canadian Forces personnel participated in the operation, which lasted from October 9, 2001, to May 16, 2002.
AWACS have also been used to provide surveillance operations for public events in order to deter potential terrorist attacks. Recently, NATO approved AWACS support for the Royal Wedding in Spain and the Euro 2004 Portuguese Football Championship. AWACS will also be used to provide security to the Greek 2004 Olympics.
For more information on AWACS visit:
http://www.nato.int/docu/update/2002/03-march/e0318a.htm
http://www.nato.int/docu/update/2002/04-april/e0430a.htm
http://vcds.mil.ca/vcds-exec/pubs/canforgen/2003/109-03_e.asp
4. NATO training in Canada
Canada provides low-level flying and mechanized battle group training grounds for its NATO partners at Canadian Forces bases in Suffield, Alberta, and Goose Bay, Labrador, as well as at a training centre in Wainwright, Alberta. Military personnel from Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom regularly use these facilities. The facility at Goose Bay is expanding its services and encouraging broader use for activities such as fighter, tactical air transport and special operations training and expeditionary force exercises. The air forces of many NATO nations pass through Goose Bay enroute to major North American exercises, making it an ideal location to gain additional training value from a long-range deployment.
Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake in Alberta, western Canada, hosts the annual "Maple Flag" Exercise – one of the largest combat aircraft exercises in the world. Maple Flag attracts participants from over a dozen countries each year – most of which are NATO members – to practice coalition air operations. Like Goose Bay, Cold Lake also provides a venue for allies to conduct independent training with jet fighter aircraft outside of the Maple Flag exercise.
The Government of Canada offers NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) to interested Air Forces. Denmark, Hungary, Italy, Singapore, and the United Kingdom currently participate in this program. NFTC is an innovative, fully integrated, undergraduate and graduate fighter pilot training program designed for nations interested in NATO-standard flying training. Its aim is to provide the most capable fighter pilot at the least cost to the total system.
Various NATO and other nations are regular participants in a range of air force training courses including air navigator, helicopter and multi-engine pilot, airborne sensor operator and technical and staff courses. This training is actively promoted and expanded by the air force to meet mutually supportive domestic and international needs. Access to these programs – and to the NFTC, Goose Bay and Cold Lake training programs – is provided through the air force International Training Programs office.
For more information on NATO's Flying Training in Canada:
www.nftc.net/
Canada provides language and peacekeeping training to Partnership for Peace countries within the framework of its Military Training Assistance Programme (MTAP), a multi-million dollar effort administered by the Department of National Defence. Canadian Forces also help organize and participate in training exercises with these countries. The Partnership for Peace program fosters relationships between NATO members and non-NATO European countries.
For more information on MTAP visit:
http://www.dnd.ca/admpol/eng/defence/mtap_e.htm
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