OTTAWA – U.S. troops will spend more time training in the Far North, says Norad’s new commander, a strategy that goes “hand in hand” with Canada’s renewed focus on Arctic defense.
US General Gregory Guillot assumed command of the binational North American Aerospace Defense Command in February.
Their first order of business: a 90-day evaluation of Norad’s capabilities, including visits to Canada.
During a stop in Ottawa in mid-April, Guillot outlined his plans to ensure Norad is more mobile in the North and better equipped for the harsh climate.
“On the American side, (there are) many capable forces that have never been there. So my goal is to raise them to do exercises,” she said in an interview.
Guillot said his conversation with Vice-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie, commander of Canada’s Joint Operations Command, was “very illuminating” in understanding which parts of Canada’s vast north are accessible by road, water or air.
“The challenge in the Arctic, from my perspective, is ensuring that we have freedom of movement,” he said.
The Arctic is an area of particular concern for Norad, which is tasked with defending North American airspace.
This became clear in January 2023, when a high-altitude surveillance balloon from China was detected entering Alaskan airspace. Over the next few days, Norad followed the balloon as it passed over Canada and off the coast of South Carolina, where it was shot down by American fighter jets.
The discovery of several more unidentified objects flying over North America in early 2023 led Norad to reconfigure its detection systems as an interim measure while new radars are prepared.
Canada and the United States have committed to creating a radar network over the Arctic horizon. On the Canadian side, the system will be operational in 2028 and at full capacity in 2032.
This is part of a 20-year, $38.6 billion Norad modernization program that the Liberal government announced in 2022. The projects also include airfields and landing strips for a fleet of F-35 fighter jets.
Guillot said he is interested in moving up those timelines whenever possible. He also said Norad is looking beyond the continent for help in detecting threats in the Arctic.
“We are now reaching out to NATO and others to see if we can build a network to achieve that awareness sooner,” he said. This is made easier, he added, by the greater cooperation that comes with Sweden and Finland joining the NATO alliance.
Guillot made headlines in Canada last July after an exchange he had with a Republican senator during his confirmation hearings.
Dan Sullivan raised the issue of Canada’s spending on NATO, saying it is “not even close to doing its part” and asked whether Guillot would commit to “having those difficult conversations” with Canadian officials once he takes command. Guillot said he would do it.
But when asked if he had started the tough talk, Guillot was quick to point out that he was simply answering Sullivan’s question.
“I said ‘yes’ because I think with all of our partners we are going to have to have difficult conversations about resources, capabilities and priorities. That’s why I didn’t see it as something directed at Canada or any other country,” he said.
He praised the federal government’s planned increase in defense spending – which includes $8.1 billion over the next few years and an additional $73 billion over 20 years – and said he is “very encouraged” by the defense policy update. recently published.
That document, called “Our North, Strong and Free,” makes it clear that Arctic sovereignty is an urgent priority for the Armed Forces.
Among the promised improvements: a new satellite ground station in the Arctic, operational support centers that will allow a year-round military presence in the north, early warning aircraft and all-terrain vehicles that can operate on ice and tundra.
As to whether Guillot believes Canada is taking the necessary level of seriousness on defense: “Absolutely, there’s no doubt.”
Guillot hopes to present the results of his evaluation to Canadian and US authorities next month.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 27, 2024.