The Department of National Defence is exploring the potential acquisition of fighter drones, signaling a possible shift in Canada’s air defense strategy. These uncrewed combat aircraft, according to unclassified documents, could operate in conjunction with the incoming fleet of F-35 fighter jets.
The move comes as allies increasingly integrate drone technology into their air forces. A central question is: how can Canada maintain interoperability and effectiveness in a rapidly evolving threat landscape? The problem is maintaining a modern Air Force with the limitations of expense and number of aircraft. The proposed solution is exploring unmanned drone options to create a mass of aerial support. The expected outcome would be increasing the numbers of aircraft in the Air Force without the financial stress of crewed aircrafts.
The documents, obtained through access to information requests, reveal that the department is researching various options for integrating this emerging technology. The estimated cost of acquiring a fleet of these aerial combat drones, along with the necessary infrastructure and personnel, could reach as high as $16 billion. This figure underscores the significant investment required and highlights the complexities of integrating such advanced systems.
While the research does not guarantee a purchase, it indicates a serious consideration of the technology’s potential. David Perry, president of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, emphasizes the importance of understanding how allied nations are utilizing similar technologies. He told an unnamed source that at a minimum, Ottawa needs to “better understand how its closest military partners will use similar technology.”
The potential benefits of these combat drones are multifaceted. They could offer the air force greater operational flexibility, acting as a force multiplier and increasing its overall capacity. Furthermore, drones are generally more affordable than traditional fighter jets, offering a cost-effective way to bolster air power.
“The broad thrust of the idea of having an unpiloted vehicle that would be able to operate with a piloted vehicle is that you provide additional numbers in a way that could potentially help provide enough quantity to overwhelm opposition forces,” adds Perry.
However, there are key considerations and challenges. The integration of autonomous systems raises questions about ethical implications, the potential for algorithmic bias, and the role of human oversight. The technology also requires a robust cybersecurity infrastructure to prevent hacking or manipulation by adversaries. One wonders just how vulnerable drones might be to cyberattacks.
The conflict in Ukraine has served as a stark reminder of the importance of drones in modern warfare. The widespread use of drones for reconnaissance, targeting, and even direct attack has highlighted their effectiveness in overwhelming enemy defenses. Perry highlighted the importance of having increased numbers to track targets, “If you have a whole bunch of targets to track, it makes it much more difficult for any kind of defensive system to be able to deal, at the same time, with all the incoming.”
Here’s a breakdown of some of the key advantages of integrating fighter drones:
- Cost-effectiveness: Drones are generally cheaper to acquire and maintain than traditional fighter jets.
- Force Multiplier: They can enhance the capabilities of existing fighter jets by providing additional sensors, jammers, or weapons.
- Risk Mitigation: Drones can be deployed in situations where risking a pilot’s life is undesirable.
- Flexibility: They can be adapted to a wide range of missions, from reconnaissance to attack.
Daniel Norton, a senior management systems analyst with the RAND Corporation, suggests that deployment of these types of drones is unlikely before 2030. These “collaborative combat aircraft” are designed to operate autonomously in certain aspects, but ultimately remain under human control. Future iterations could even achieve fully autonomous operations. Drones could be used for a variety of purposes, including carrying sensors, jamming enemy communications, or serving as decoys. Norton said, “I’d be surprised if it happened sooner,”.
The exploration of fighter drones aligns with the latest defense policy update, “Our North, Strong and Free,” which commits to exploring “options for acquiring a suite of surveillance and strike drones and counter-drone capabilities.” An internal analysis, however, has ruled out buying completely Canadian-made fighter drones, favoring collaboration with partner nations on developing new systems.
Several countries are already developing such systems, including Boeing’s MQ-28A “Ghost Bat” for Australia, General Atomics’ YFQ-42 in the U.S., and the Anduril YFQ-44A. Both the U.S. and Australian air forces already employ F-35s, further suggesting a potential for seamless integration. Boeing’s aircraft is undergoing flight testing, while Anduril’s is expected to begin testing this year. The Lieutenant-General Jaime Speiser-Blanchet, commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, stated that the military is “already looking at those kinds of future capabilities.”, and is something they need to be prepared for in the future.
The potential acquisition of fighter drones comes at a crucial time, as Canada grapples with modernizing its air force and ensuring its ability to respond to emerging threats. But this is all dependant on a government decision on the procurement project by the end of summer.
The debate surrounding the integration of fighter drones is not just about technological capabilities; it’s about the future of warfare and the role of humans in the decision-making process. It touches on broader societal concerns about artificial intelligence, automation, and the potential consequences of delegating lethal force to machines. This raises critical questions about accountability, transparency, and the need for robust ethical frameworks to govern the use of these technologies.
One local resident, speaking anonymously due to their employment with a defence contractor, reflected on the potential impact on their community: “If this goes through, it could mean a lot of jobs in the aerospace sector, but it also raises questions about the kind of future we’re building. Life would never be quite the same,”. It’s a sentiment that resonates with many who see both the opportunities and the challenges presented by these rapidly evolving technologies.
Ultimately, the decision to acquire fighter drones will require careful consideration of the technological, economic, and ethical implications. The challenge lies in harnessing the potential of these technologies while mitigating the risks and ensuring that Canada’s air force remains a responsible and effective instrument of national security. This requires a deliberate and inclusive dialogue involving policymakers, experts, and the public, to shape a future where technology serves humanity, rather than the other way around. This is why the review of the F-35 fighter jet order is so important in the trade wary with the U.S. for Prime Minister Carney.