Canadian military fears maintenance issues will plague equipment sent to Latvia

Article content

The Canadian military has raised concerns that some of the key equipment it has sent to Latvia will face maintenance problems as there are few facilities available to protect the systems from the elements.

The issue is fuelled by a lack of storage and maintenance buildings at Camp Adazi, a base in Latvia that is home to Canadian troops. That, in turn, is putting?the recently purchased medium-range radar as well as the Leopard tanks that Canada sent to Latvia “at significant risk of un-forecasted maintenance requirements to ensure continued serviceability,” according to a Department of National Defence report released Dec. 17.

The Canadian-led NATO enhanced Forward Presence battlegroup was originally stood up during a ceremony at Camp Adazi on June 19, 2017. But Canada’s presence in the eastern European country is being expanded and over the last year, 15 Leopard tanks as well as medium-range radar designed to detect hostile fire arrived in Latvia.

“The CAF continued development of defence infrastructure in Latvia, particularly with regards to the expansion at Camp Adazi,” the departmental results report noted. “However, the lack of space at Camp Adazi remains concerning ahead of the Forward Land Forces Brigade inflow.”

National Defence spokesperson Alex Tétreault acknowledged there are ongoing challenges with the lack of storage and maintenance facilities at the base. But he noted in an email that a number of measures are underway to fix the situation.

A new facility, called a tank barn, is now in place. “The tank barn provides better protection from the elements and improves maintenance conditions,” he said. “The Medium Range Radars were initially housed in a half-shelter, and a Canadian Armed Forces maintenance team was deployed to ensure routine serviceability of the MRRs.”

Tétreault also noted that?some elements of the multinational battalion Latvia currently at Camp Adazi will be sent to a new location to ease the burden on existing facilities and free up space.

“While these steps are in place, it is important to note that space management at military facilities is always being evaluated and must be done in coordination with, and the approval of, the host nation,” he added.

Canada leads the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia as part of efforts to deter Russian aggression in the region. The brigade will increase to around 3,000 allied troops by the summer of 2025. There are currently around 1,500 Canadians at the brigade, according to the Department of National Defence.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced in July 2023 that, as part of a major commitment to NATO, Canada would spend an additional $2.6 billion to increase the number of troops it stationed in Latvia. The government’s plan would eventually see up to 2,200 troops deployed for what is being called?Operation Reassurance.

Defence Minister Bill Blair announced in December 2023 that Canada was spending $15 million on new infrastructure to support the brigade. That included funding for the storage facilities for the Canadian tanks as well as improvements for accommodations at Camp Adazi.

In addition, purchase of new equipment has been earmarked for the Latvian mission.

The Canadian military is revamping its purchase of ground-based air defence systems to focus on trying to get such equipment to troops in that country as quickly as possible.

Originally, the Canadian Forces had a project office to back the purchase of a?future air defence system, estimated to cost at least $1 billion.

But the procurement team will now concentrate its efforts on the more urgent purchase of a short-range air defence battery that can be sent to support Canadian troops in Latvia quickly, according to an Oct. 10 update to defence companies.

In February 2023,?the Ottawa Citizen reported?that the Canadian Army was also fast-tracking its purchase of anti-tank weapons for troops stationed in Latvia.

The equipment was being classified as an Urgent Operational Requirement, the same process used during the Afghanistan war to speedily obtain gear without going through the slower traditional procurement procedures.

David Pugliese is an award-winning journalist covering Canadian Forces and military issues in Canada. To support his work, including exclusive content for subscribers only, sign up here:?ottawacitizen.com/subscribe