National Defence Committee on April 19th, 2016

[LGen Pierre St-Amand]

We have two strategic air-to-air refuellers on standby at all times. They're located in the United States, both on the west coast and the east coast. They are provided for us to use whenever we need them, especially when we have to travel long distances to go north and intercept and take a look at a track of interest. More often than not—because I was also the commander in Winnipeg for the Canadian region—whenever we deployed up north, we would bring RC-130 tactical refuellers to the same location to help out, and when it's available we would use our Airbus as well. However, you will understand that we have been busy in the Forces in the last few years and our tankers have been very useful within the coalition, as they are now. So it depends. If they're available we'll take them. Sometimes they're not available, but we have support from the United States to do our mission.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

When we're running joint exercises with the Americans in Canadian airspace, do we host U.S. fighter jets at our bases on occasion or frequently?

[LGen Pierre St-Amand]

Yes, sir.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

Would that include our four operating bases in the Arctic?

[LGen Pierre St-Amand]

We do, but not frequently. When we host U.S. fighters, they are NORAD-apportioned U.S. fighters, and we'll do it in the context of a NORAD exercise for FOLs.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

So if the U.S. goes strictly to an F-35 fighter jet fleet, would we have to look at upgrading our runways and facilities at our four operating bases to accommodate them, especially in a NORAD context?

[LGen Pierre St-Amand]

They would be for that aircraft, and for that matter there would be some security requirements that we would have to abide by for any aircraft of that generation that would follow the F-18. I'm not sure that we would have mandatory infrastructure costs related to the aircraft, but these security requirements, by the way, are applicable to the current generation of aircraft when F-15s are deployed up north, for example. We have to provide security at Goose Bay, Inuvik, and Frobisher Bay. If these aircraft show up, we have to do something different from what we do with own F-18s.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

As we move forward and the government has to make a decision on what we replace the CF-18 with—and we talked about interoperability—and the U.S. is going to an F-35-only platform, wouldn't it be advisable in a NORAD context that Canada operate on the same platform?

[LGen Pierre St-Amand]

We are married to mandatory mission requirements. So what's important for us—and I understand the debate—is that for the NORAD part of the mission requirements, we need an aircraft that has advanced sensors to detect, track, and support the engagements of advanced threats. We need an aircraft that has the ability to network within a system of systems that currently is in place, but also a future system of systems. We have to have the men and machine interface that comes with modern fighter aircraft. Those requirements are factored into the command of RCAF requirements for the replacement of the F-18, and for that matter we have to remain agnostic with respect to what Canada would provide in a platform.

[James Bezan, Conservative, Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB]

I respect that.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

We're going to go back to this side of the table.

I thought two people wanted to ask questions: Ms. Romanado and Mr. Spengemann. You have the floor for two and a half minutes.

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC]

I am going to ask my question in French.

You said that we currently have the number of fighter aircraft we need.

In the 1980s, we bought 138 fighter jets and modernized perhaps 80. At present, 77 fighter jets remain. We have heard that we are going to purchase 65 fighters to replace our CF-18s. I wonder whether that is sufficient, given training needs and attrition.

I am concerned. If we are buying only 65 fighter aircraft, and we currently have 77, aren't we going to be exposed somewhere?

[LGen Pierre St-Amand]

With respect to the NORAD requirements, 65 is adequate, as NORAD only uses some of the 65. I am satisfied that the numbers required for NORAD—and, again, those numbers are found in plans that we have—and the need for NORAD mission requirements are addressed adequately.

When we talk about the numbers and the quality, of course, the quantity has a quality by itself, for sure. I acknowledge that, but again, with respect to whether Canada would need more aircraft, that is for the RCAF to determine. When I turn to General Hood and say, “We need this number of aircraft for NORAD” and he comes back and says, “You will have your numbers, and, by the way, the total number is this”, I have to say, “Okay. You manage the rest, but as long as you guarantee me these aircraft that I need for this mission, I am satisfied.” That is the only answer I can give you for that.

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC]

Do I have any more time?

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

You have 30 seconds.

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC]

In terms of our RADARSAT Constellation of three satellites scheduled to launch in 2018, we heard from a witness that it is very likely we will actually need five. Can you comment on that?

[LGen Pierre St-Amand]

I am not following that project, so I can't comment.

[Sherry Romanado, Liberal, Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

Mr. Spengemann, you have the floor for two and a half minutes.

[Sven Spengemann, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

Very briefly, I would like to take you back one more time to Operation Noble Eagle on the west coast. On the distinction between main operating bases, deployed operating bases, and forward operating locations, I wonder if you could tell the committee under what circumstances and for what duration the base in Comox has been used as a deployed operating base for our western fighter assets.

[LGen Pierre St-Amand]

I would have to come back to you with the specifics and numbers. I don't have them available now, but I will take note of it, sir, and will make sure that you get the information.

With respect to the FOLs, they are part of our NORAD configuration to counter a threat in the north. Again, the numbers there may be getting into classified information as well.

I apologize for the non-answer. I just don't have the data.

[Sven Spengemann, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

Yes. If there is information that is not classified, I think it would be helpful if you could make it available.

[LGen Pierre St-Amand]

Of course.

[Sven Spengemann, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Stephen Fuhr]

Very good.

Mr. Garrison, you have the floor, for a couple of minutes.