DND acknowledged a scarcity of storage and upkeep amenities at Camp Adazi, however mentioned fixes are underway.
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The Canadian army has raised issues that a few of the key gear it has despatched to Latvia will face upkeep issues as there are few amenities accessible to guard the programs from the weather.
The problem is fuelled by a scarcity of storage and upkeep buildings at Camp Adazi, a base in Latvia that’s house to Canadian troops. That, in flip, is placing the just lately bought medium-range radar in addition to the Leopard tanks that Canada despatched to Latvia “at important danger of un-forecasted upkeep necessities to make sure continued serviceability,” in response to a Division of Nationwide Defence report launched Dec. 17.
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The Canadian-led NATO enhanced Ahead Presence battlegroup was initially stood up throughout a ceremony at Camp Adazi on June 19, 2017. However Canada’s presence within the japanese European nation is being expanded and during the last yr, 15 Leopard tanks in addition to medium-range radar designed to detect hostile fireplace arrived in Latvia.
“The CAF continued growth of defence infrastructure in Latvia, significantly on the subject of the enlargement at Camp Adazi,” the departmental outcomes report famous. “Nevertheless, the dearth of area at Camp Adazi stays regarding forward of the Ahead Land Forces Brigade influx.”
Nationwide Defence spokesperson Alex Tétreault acknowledged there are ongoing challenges with the dearth of storage and upkeep amenities on the base. However he famous in an e mail that a lot of measures are underway to repair the scenario.
A brand new facility, known as a tank barn, is now in place. “The tank barn gives higher safety from the weather and improves upkeep situations,” he mentioned. “The Medium Vary Radars have been initially housed in a half-shelter, and a Canadian Armed Forces upkeep crew was deployed to make sure routine serviceability of the MRRs.”
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Tétreault additionally famous that some components of the multinational battalion Latvia presently at Camp Adazi can be despatched to a brand new location to ease the burden on current amenities and unencumber area.
“Whereas these steps are in place, you will need to be aware that area administration at army amenities is at all times being evaluated and have to be executed in coordination with, and the approval of, the host nation,” he added.
Canada leads the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia as a part of efforts to discourage Russian aggression within the area. The brigade will improve to round 3,000 allied troops by the summer time of 2025. There are presently round 1,500 Canadians on the brigade, in response to the Division of Nationwide Defence.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced in July 2023 that, as a part of a significant dedication to NATO, Canada would spend a further $2.6 billion to extend the variety of troops it stationed in Latvia. The federal government’s plan would finally see as much as 2,200 troops deployed for what’s being known as Operation Reassurance.
Defence Minister Invoice Blair introduced in December 2023 that Canada was spending $15 million on new infrastructure to assist the brigade. That included funding for the storage amenities for the Canadian tanks in addition to enhancements for lodging at Camp Adazi.
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As well as, buy of recent gear has been earmarked for the Latvian mission.
The Canadian army is revamping its buy of ground-based air defence programs to deal with attempting to get such gear to troops in that nation as rapidly as attainable.
Initially, the Canadian Forces had a undertaking workplace to again the acquisition of a future air defence system, estimated to price at the least $1 billion.
However the procurement crew will now focus its efforts on the extra pressing buy of a short-range air defence battery that may be despatched to assist Canadian troops in Latvia rapidly, in response to an Oct. 10 replace to defence corporations.
In February 2023, the Ottawa Citizen reported that the Canadian Military was additionally fast-tracking its buy of anti-tank weapons for troops stationed in Latvia.
The gear was being categorised as an Pressing Operational Requirement, the identical course of used in the course of the Afghanistan struggle to speedily receive gear with out going by way of the slower conventional procurement procedures.
David Pugliese is an award-winning journalist protecting Canadian Forces and army points in Canada. To assist his work, together with unique content material for subscribers solely, join right here: ottawacitizen.com/subscribe
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