Question Period Note: Operation REASSURANCE (Includes Information On Spike LR2 Missiles)

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About

Reference number:
DND-2025-QP-00008
Date received:
Dec 6, 2024
Organization:
National Defence
Name of Minister:
Blair, Bill (Hon.)
Title of Minister:
Minister of National Defence

Issue/Question:

What is Canada doing to support our NATO Allies and stand up to Russian aggression?

Suggested Response:

  • Since 2017, Canada has played a leading role in NATO’s defence and deterrence efforts through its deployment in Latvia.
  • We continue to deploy ships, aircraft, and land forces under Operation REASSURANCE to support NATO’s measures to deter further Russian aggression.
  • In fact, we currently have approximately 2,000 Canadian Armed Forces personnel serving on Operation REASSURANCE – Canada’s largest international deployment.
  • Canada is also leading the NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia, which completed its first major milestone last month through Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR, demonstrating our combat interoperability with NATO Allies.
  • We will continue to collaborate with our NATO Allies to enhance collective defence and move to an augmented presence of 2,200 persistently deployed troops by 2026.

If pressed on Spike LR2 missile malfunction:

  • This system is used by our Allies and proven on the battlefield.
  • Upon discovering issues with the functionality of the missiles, our project team immediately engaged the equipment manufacturer and are working to address the issue.
  • While there will be some adjustments to our internal timeline, full operational capability remains on schedule for January 2026.
  • The safety of our members is our top priority, and we will ensure that this equipment functions as intended.

Background:

Responsible Principals: Strategic Joint Staff, Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy), Canadian Army, Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel).

Additional Information:

Quick Facts

  • Op REASSURANCE is currently the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) largest overseas mission, through which the CAF contributes to NATO deterrence and defence measures in Central and Eastern Europe and is part of the biggest reinforcement of Alliance collective defence in a generation.
  • Under Op REASSURANCE, the CAF has deployed a Maritime Task Force, which contributes ships to the Standing NATO Maritime Groups; an Air Task Force, providing logistical support out of Prestwick, United Kingdom; and a Land Task Force, including the NATO Multinational Battlegroup Latvia, for which Canada is the Framework nation.

Battle Group Latvia

  • As the Framework Nation in Latvia, Canada is responsible for coordinating with Latvia and the contributing nations to help set the tone, pace, and vision for this Battle Group, and for the Multinational Brigade structure.
  • The multinational Battle Group is included in a broader multinational Brigade that Canada is working to operationalize while prioritizing infrastructure requirements with Latvia.
    • The Battle Group transitioned to a multinational Canadian-led Brigade in October 2024. The multinational brigade within Multinational Division North continues to work with the Latvian Armed Forces’ Infantry Brigade, conducting joint training to be able to respond effectively to an attack.
  • It is comprised of fourteen contributing nations, including Albania, Canada Czechia, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Latvia.
  • In November 2024, the Brigade conducted its first brigade level exercise (Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR), which is a major milestone in its development. The NATO Secretary General, Chief of the Defence Staff, and senior civilian and military officials from all Allied nations attended a portion of the exercise.

Spike LR2 missile malfunction

  • In December 2023, National Defence finalized the procurement of Portable Anti-Armour Missile Systems from Rafael Advanced Defence Systems. These modern anti-tank weapons will improve the self-protection of military members deployed in Eastern Europe.
  • In the interest of obtaining the shortest timeline from Request for Proposal to delivery to Latvia, there were no live-fire tests or demonstrations planned or performed during the selection process for the Portable Anti-X Missile systems Urgent Operational Requirement.
  • This technical risk was assessed and deemed acceptable as Rafael Advanced Defence Systems had already delivered thousands of units of this product to our Allies.
  • During Initial Cadre Training in mid-July 2024, issues with the functionality of the missiles and launchers were identified by project staff. Officials are working closely with the equipment manufacturer to address the cause of this issue.