The Department of National Defence (DND) budget for 2021-22 has been set at $24.3 billion a slight decrease from the previous year, but is actually increased from the projection of last year.
Departmental plan spending and projections change from year to year. Last year the departmental plan called for spending to be set at $23.422 billion in 2020-21, yet in this years plan it’s listed at $24.369 billion. Last years projected spending for this year was listed as $23.545 billion while this year it’s $24.295 billion.
Small differences, but differences none-the-less. What is more important is what’s being spent on what, and how programs are progressing. Since the government changed how it presents the information in these plans, it’s become more difficult to ascertain what is actually being spent on a program by program basis and if those programs are moving ahead at the planned projected pace.
As with last year, important programs related to space include;
- The Enhanced Satellite Communications Project – Polar.
- Project Grey Jay.
- Space-based surveillance system.
- RADARSAT Constellation Mission follow-on.
- Hyper-Spectral Imaging Satellites.
With respect to the above, there is very little specifically mentioned. And while surveillance is mentioned frequently, it is in broad strokes.
There is mention of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission but it as well is in broad strokes. “The RCAF will also continue to expand the Whole-of-Government Approach to the RADARSAT Constellation Mission. Using this collaborative approach, DND and other government departments share access to space-based imagery and data produced by this next generation of Canadian Earth observation satellites via systems such as Polar Epsilon 2. Polar Epsilon 2 also contributes to maritime domain awareness for Canada.”
Other notable mentions related to space and defence include;
- In FY 2021-22, the RCAF will continue to improve and advance the integration of our space-based capabilities. In addition to the previously listed exercises that include a space component, the RCAF will participate in the following exercises targeting the space domain specifically:
- Exercise SCHREIVER WARGAME 21-9: The preeminent combined wargame set 5 to 30 years in the future, designed to support concept development and inform decisions about future space mission responsibilities and operational architectures. The RCAF has participated in this wargame for over a decade and it has led to fundamental changes in the way Five Eyes and other partners conduct space operations; and
- Exercise THOR’S HAMMER WARGAME: A biannual, space-centric, strategic-level wargame focused on the use of cyber and space activities, sponsored by the National Reconnaissance Office. It is intended to explore the ability of the National Reconnaissance Office and partner capabilities to support United States leadership, warfighters, and allied senior leaders throughout the range of military operations which extends into space in 2029.
- As a joint capability, space involves CAF members in RCN, CA, and RCAF and their civilian Defence Team counterparts, working together to deliver capabilities that provide strategic advantage. Integrated through the Canadian Space Operations Centre, the CAF team will continue to participate in space operations activities with allied partners under the Combined Space Operations Agreement in order to meet the space-related goals of the Defence Policy.
- Supporting RCAF readiness and defence policy objectives, in FY 2021-22 the RCAF will continue to refine C2 development and improve cooperation with allied nations by participating in the following fora, talks and activities;
- Air and Space Power Conference: An annual forum hosted by the Royal Air Force Chief of the Air Staff, drawing together over 450 high-ranking delegates including air chiefs and military commanders from around the world, as well as business, science and technology leaders. The conference stimulates challenging and thought-provoking air and space power debate, and also serves to widen the reach of air and space power understanding in order to promote development and engagement;
- Air Power Conference: An annual conference hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force Chief of the Air Force, this is typically attended by over 15 Air Chiefs, mostly from Pacific-facing nations. This conference contributes to the global dialogue focusing on the contribution of Air and Space Power to Indo-Pacific security; and
- Combined Space Operations Principals Board: An annual two-day working engagement typically attended by the highest level of Canadian space allies, including Five Eyes and others. This Board provides governance and oversight for the implementation of the Combined Space Operations initiative.
Also of interest are parts of the Future Design section related to artificial intelligence and space.
“DND will sustain Defence and Security Science and Technology activities to understand the opportunities, costs, and risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI), AI-enabled and autonomous systems that emulate thinking processes to perform force development, generation, employment and business analytics.”
- First, research and development efforts will be aimed at reducing workloads on CAF members by experimenting with algorithms to detect and track objects of interest in still images and videos;
- Second, AI research and development will continue to explore the limits of integrating AI and automated data analysis to support operators and analysts in determining activities of interest such as smuggling and illegal fishing. With partners from other government departments, the Centre for Security Science has conducted development of techniques for space surveillance of dark vessels, including image processing and feature recognition for ship detection. This work is intended to enhance maritime domain awareness, in particular detection of non-emitting vessels in support of Canadian commitments to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated activities; and
- Third, AI techniques will be explored to reduce the human workload associated with the operation of autonomous vehicles in or on the land, sea, air and space. All AI-enabled systems require new levels of trust in military operations, planning and decision processes. The Defence and Security Science and Technology program will also generate advice regarding the integration of AI-enabled systems and processes into CAF operations, planning and decision-making.
On April 12 we are anticipating releasing a podcast with Brigadier-General Michael Adamson, RCAF Director General Space and the Joint Force Space Component Commander, that will go into more detail on current space programs.
