Nuclear-powered submarines project strength

In light of recent columns and op-eds on Canadian defence pronouncements, I feel some things must be made clear.

We must admit that Canada has enemies. China and Russia engage in active measures against us politically and physically.

The examples are numerous, but we note that Russia’s active submarine fleet is larger than during the Cold War and hacks against our computer infrastructure are often Russian-origin.

China attacks us electronically, threatens Chinese ex-pats here and threatens our elections. China is outbuilding all other nations to expand its navy, including nuclear-powered/ armed submarines.

Our government’s recent defence pronouncements included a mention of nuclear submarines. These would be nuclearpowered, not nuclear-armed.

There are three types of submarines: diesel-electric, which must surface frequently; air-independent propulsion, which can submerge longer; and nuclear-powered, which can submerge for extraordinarily long periods. All can be armed with torpedoes and missiles, including nuclear ones. Therefore, one has to look at the desired missions and capabilities, and not the means of propulsion. Nuclear is just another type of engine.

Canada has the world’s longest coastline, most of which is covered in ice for varying periods of time from weeks to months. Both allies, enemies and potential enemies contest our ownership of much of that coastline. Our four diesel-electric submarines have almost zero under-ice capability. Given that only one is usually available, they are no deterrent.

Canada must assert sovereignty backed with capability. Our current military cannot do that. Our most recent naval ships are patrol-and-report, not patrol-and-act. They are underarmed. This is reflective of our entire military, which is tens of thousands of people short and very lightly armed. Promised new equipment is years away — if ever.

Our world is dangerous. When the Soviet Union imploded, a “peace dividend” was declared. Many nations, including Canada, almost disarmed themselves. As a result, we have faced almost continuous warfare in global hot spots. Canada has taken part in many United Nations missions and lost lives, even in so-called “peacekeeping” efforts.

In warfare, unlike the dance floor, it only takes one to tango. It is naïve to believe otherwise. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin is not rational as we think of it, and China’s President Xi Jinping is overly ambitious. They are highly dangerous and appeasement, as many advocate, does not work.

Nuclear-powered submarines are one way to instil respect in our enemies and friends alike.

Once submerged, they can reappear almost anywhere unexpectedly. They are a potent anti-submarine and surfacevessel weapon. They are strategic in nature.

If Canada cannot project strength, we are a hindrance to world peace.

If Russia takes Ukraine, what is next on Putin’s dance card as he seeks to restore the Soviet empire? What if China strikes Taiwan and Putin goes into the Baltics simultaneously? The Russian army is improving, and mass has its own quality. Even if Putin and Xi lose, isn’t prevention better than victory? We can’t prevent if we have no capability to win.

Canada must assert sovereignty backed with capability. Our current military cannot do that