NATO commander says Canada needs a good mix of drones, AI and existing forces

Adm. Pierre Vandier, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, says the answer is not to replace everything with drones. Unmanned systems should protect and enhance existing capabilities, he said in an interview from Riga, Latvia.

A force that is not protected against drones and swarms is a force at risk.

— Adm. Pierre Vandier, NATO

Canadian Armed Forces personnel in Latvia

3,000 Operation Reassurance

He spoke after NATO exercises in Latvia that tested drones and electronic warfare alongside troops in a simulated cross-border invasion. Canada has roughly 3,000 personnel in the country.

And us?

Canada met NATO's two per cent of GDP defence target this year and has promised five per cent by 2035, with few details so far. The federal budget, due next Thursday, is expected to say more.