The way ahead for the RCA.

 
   After nine months of extensive consultation 
   across all elements of the Regular Force Artillery, 
   and with the approval of the Director of Artillery 
   and the senior serving gunners as represented by 
   Artillery Council, the "Way Ahead" is presented 
   to all members of the Canadian Forces as a 
   vision statement on the future role of the Royal 
   Canadian Artillery. As a broad vision statement, 
   the paper is general enough to encompass all 
   elements of the Royal Regiment. Nevertheless, 
   the specific contributions of the Reserves to this 
   vision remains to be developed. 

INTRODUCTION

Since the Army Vision was published in 2001, gunners have raised many valid questions regarding the future of the Artillery. While the Army Vision document did articulate the way ahead for the Army and provide some generalities regarding equipment distribution and areas of focus, it did not examine any Artillery-specific subjects in detail. As the process of modernization moves forward, it is important that gunners have an understanding and common vision of the way ahead. Since the details of future organizations and equipment cannot be articulated at this time, there are a number of general principles and objectives that can be accurately stated that will provide gunners with a common vision of the future.

The aim of this article is to articulate the general principles and objectives that will form the foundation upon which future Artillery doctrine, organizations, equipment, tactics, techniques and training will be developed.

GENERAL

Coalition operations have been a reality since the beginning of the last century and will continue to be a central feature of the Army's future operations. Countries will contribute resources based upon their available resources, the operational situation and their strategic policies. As a principle of Canada's force structure planning, deployed forces must possess the integral capabilities required to permit the force to achieve its mission and survive. This principle implies that deployed forces must possess the appropriate firepower to support and protect manoeuvre forces and shape the battle space. It must also be self-reliant for its own protection from the asymmetric and evolving threat in the third dimension of the battle space. The assumption of allied support, specifically protective and firepower …