Question Period Note: CAF operations in the indo-pacific

The Indo-Pacific region is increasingly unstable, marked by heightened aggression by China. What is this Government doing to ensure stability in the region?

• Canada is committed to a sustained and persistent military presence in the Indo-Pacific Region to promote peace and security with Allies and partners.

• That is why Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy is making several investments in defence over the next five years.

• This includes $369.4 million to maintain and increase our naval presence in the region, building on our commitments through Operations NEON and PROJECTION.

• We are also investing $48.7 million to increase Canadian Armed Forces participation in joint exercises with regional partners and allies.

• Specifically, we are looking to increase opportunities for Canadian aviators and soldiers to participate in regional exercises in addition to our naval presence.

• Thirdly, we are investing $68.2 million to launch a new Canadian-led military capacity building program, through which the Canadian Armed Forces will offer mentorship and expertise to partners in the Indo-Pacific Region.

• We are also launching new initiatives to support regional and military partners seeking to bolster their cyber security and cyber capabilities.

• There are also new resources for Communications Security Establishment to help increase Canada’s foreign intelligence support to government partners in defence and security.

• Canada will continue working with its Allies and partners to help ensure regional stability and support the rules-based international order.

If pressed on deploying an additional frigate:

• Canada will continue to meet its obligations and commitments to NATO.

• National Defence’s plan to increase and enhance Canada’s defence presence in the Indo-Pacific was developed with our other key regional priorities in mind, as well as reconstitution.

• National Defence’s new contributions to promote peace, resilience, and security under the Indo-Pacific Strategy are achievable.

• While operational planning is underway, I can share that the Canadian Armed Force will bolster its maritime presence in the Indo-Pacific by sending a third frigate from CFB Halifax to the Indo-Pacific next year.

• Resources across the Canadian Armed Forces are carefully managed, monitored, and balanced.

• As with any operation, the deployment of assets is taken with these considerations in mind, along with the need to meet operational objectives.

If pressed on PLAAF Buzzing RCAF Aircraft:

• Our top priority in all operations is to ensure the safety of Canadian Armed Forces personnel.

• Canada has been clear in its expectation that all intercepts should be conducted in a safe and professional manner and refrain from impeding lawful operations in international airspace.

Quick Facts

• On November 27, 2022, Canada released its Indo-Pacific Strategy, through which National Defence has four initiatives to promote peace, resilience, and security in the region.

• Operations:

  • HMCS Winnipeg and Vancouver are deployed to the Indo-Pacific region on Operation PROJECTION from August 4 to December 5, 2022, to conduct forward naval presence operations in the region as well as conduct cooperative deployments and participate in international naval exercises with partner nations.

  • April 23, 2021: Canada announced the renewal of its contribution to the multinational surveillance initiative, for another two-year timeframe until 2023, under Operation NEON to counter North Korea’s maritime sanctions evasion.

Background

Indo Pacific Strategy

• Global Affairs Canada is the lead on the Indo-Pacific Strategy, which was announced on November 27, 2022.

• The strategy will address five interconnected priorities for Canada:

  • Promote peace, resilience and security – National Defence focus;

  • Expand trade, investment and supply chain resilience;

  • Invest in and connect people;

  • Build a sustainable and green future; and

  • Canada as an active and engaged partner to the Indo-Pacific.

• Through the Indo-Pacific Strategy, National Defence is investing in the following initiatives to support the defence and security in the region over the next five years, including:

  • $369.4 million dollars to enhance Canada’s naval presence in the region and increase the number of frigates it deploys each year, from two to three;

  • $48.7 million dollars to increase the CAF’s participation in bilateral and multilateral exercises with regional allies and partners;

  • $68.2 million to launch a new Canadian-led military capacity-building program, offering mentorship and expertise to our partners by delivering training directly to partner forces in the region; and

  • New initiatives to support regional and military partners seeking to bolster their cyber security and cyber capabilities.

Operation PROJECTION

• As part of Strong, Secure, Engaged, Canada committed to being a reliable player in the Indo-Pacific region through consistent engagement and strong partnerships.

• Since 2017, the Royal Canadian Navy has achieved consistent presence in the Indo-Pacific under Op PROJECTION.

• Canadian warships regularly deploy to work with our allies and like-minded partners, including by conducting joint transits and exercises under Op PROJECTION, as well as contributing to the multinational effort of monitoring UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea under Op NEON.

• From June 29 to August 4, 2022, HMCS Winnipeg and HMCS Vancouver, along with two CP-140 Aurora aircraft and two CH-148 Cyclone helicopters, participated in RIMPAC, the world’s largest naval exercise. Canada also occupied key leadership positions, including Deputy Command of Combined Task Force RIMPAC, Command of the Combined Force Air Component, and Deputy Command of the Combined Force Maritime Component Command.

Operation NEON

• Op NEON is Canada’s contribution to a coordinated multinational effort to support the implementation of UN Security Council sanctions imposed against North Korea. These sanctions, imposed between 2006 and 2017, aim to pressure North Korea to abandon its weapons of mass destruction programs and respond to North Korean nuclear weapon tests and ballistic missile launches.

• Op NEON sees military ships, aircraft and personnel deployed to conduct surveillance operations to identify suspected maritime sanctions evasion activities, in particular ship-to-ship transfers of fuel and other commodities banned by the United Nations Security Council Resolutions. This contribution bolsters the integrity of the global sanctions regime against North Korea, enhances regional peace and stability, and supports the rules-based international order.

Interactions with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force Aircraft

• On several occasions, interactions occurred between our Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora long-range patrol aircraft and aircraft of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force.

• These interactions occurred in international airspace during UN-sanctioned missions.

Transit in the Indo-Pacific

• HMCS Winnipeg transited the Taiwan Strait northbound with the US Destroyer, USS Dewy, on October 15, 2021.

• From August 4 to December 5 2022, HMCS Winnipeg and HMCS Vancouver will travel extensively throughout the Western pacific, including the South China Sea.

Strategic Joint Staff, Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy), Canadian Joint Operations Command