Anand Announces Public Consultations for Defence Policy Review, Microsatellite Project to Monitor Space

Minister of National Defence Anita Anand makes a keynote address at the Ottawa Conference on Security and Defence, in Ottawa, on March 9, 2023. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang

OTTAWA—Canada’s Minister of National Defence has announced the opening of Defence Policy Update (DPU) consultations to all Canadians and the awarding of a $15.8 million contract for the building of a microsatellite project.

Anita Anand made the announcement on March 9 at the Ottawa Conference on Security and Defence, where she gave the opening keynote address to defence industry partners, stakeholders, and defence experts.

Canada’s current national defence policy “Strong, Secure, Engaged” has been in existence since 2017 and updating it to reflect modern realities of conflict has long been pondered.

A new digital platform has been launched and Anand invited all Canadians to contribute online and provide feedback on issues including how to recruit talented Canadians and how to respond to natural catastrophes.

She envisions targeted discussions with a number of stakeholders including indigenous and northern community leaders, as well as Five Eyes partners, which include the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia.

Space Domain

Anand talked about initiatives underway to modernize and upgrade Canada’s military capabilities including a new focus on space as another domain for awareness.

“Space is crucial to our national security,” she said.

The Redwing space domain awareness microsatellite project will monitor objects orbiting the Earth to help reduce future risks to Canada’s space infrastructure, Anand said. Design manufacturing and operations will be led by Magellan Aerospace in Winnipeg, she said, adding that it will launch in late 2026.

Anand began her address by discussing how the defence of Ukraine is progressing amid Russia’s invasion, expressing hope for the end result in favour of Ukraine. She also said that Canada has committed over $1 billion in military aid to Ukraine.

Anand said that while the past defensive capabilities were defined by the steady accumulation of military force, today’s era of military competition is also defined by speed and agility and interoperability with allies.

Anand also singled out China as a threat.

“China is an increasingly disruptive global power. It increasingly disregards international rules and norms, and it is making large-scale investments to establish its military capabilities,” she said.

“We are at an inflection point in the history of conflict.”