The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Strategy: Agile - Integrated - Inclusive

The RCAF has recently released its new Strategy, a document that outlines its vision, mission, objectives and priorities for the next decade. It is a response to the changing security environment and the need to modernize and evolve the RCAF's capabilities, equipment and tools. Here's a brief overview of the Strategy and its implications for the RCAF and Canada.

?The Strategy is based on four strategic objectives:

?1. Value the RCAF's people and invest in their future. The RCAF recognizes that its people are its most important asset and that they need to be supported, trained and empowered to succeed. The Strategy aims to foster a culture of excellence, innovation and inclusion, as well as to address the challenges of recruitment, retention and diversity.

?2. Ready to conduct operations. The RCAF is committed to being ready to deliver relevant, responsive and effective air and space power at home and abroad. The Strategy emphasizes the importance of maintaining operational readiness, enhancing interoperability with allies and partners, and ensuring resilience and adaptability in a complex and dynamic environment.

?3. Modernize for tomorrow. The RCAF acknowledges that it needs to keep pace with the advances in technology and the emergence of new threats and opportunities. The Strategy outlines a plan to modernize the RCAF's capabilities, equipment and tools, with a focus on cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR) and automation. The Strategy also highlights the need to invest in research and development, experimentation and innovation.

?4. Engage and partner for success. The RCAF understands that it cannot achieve its goals alone and that it needs to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders. The Strategy seeks to strengthen the RCAF's engagement and partnership with allies, academia, scientists, industries and local communities, as well as to enhance its communication and outreach efforts.

?The RCAF Strategy is guided by a vision of achieving operational advantage as an agile, integrated and inclusive air and space force. This vision reflects the key principles of agility, integration and inclusion that will enable the RCAF to maintain relevance and effectiveness in the future.

?It is notable that this Strategy is aligned with the Government of Canada's defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE), which provides the strategic direction and funding for the RCAF's modernization and evolution. SSE will shortly be updated and it will be interesting to see if there are any requirments for the RCAF to update this strategy - though that would seem unlikely. The Strategy also supports Canada's national interests and values, as well as its commitments to NATO, NORAD and other international organizations.

?The RCAF Strategy is a bold and ambitious document that sets a clear and achievable path for the future of air and space power in Canada. It is a testament to the RCAF's dedication to excellence, innovation and service to Canada.

?Here are five key takeaways:

1. ?The RCAF values its people as its most important asset and invests in their future.
2. The RCAF is ready to conduct operations at home and abroad with relevant, responsive and effective air and space power.
3. The RCAF modernizes for tomorrow by embracing new technologies such as cloud computing, AI, AR and automation.
4. The RCAF engages and partners with a wide range of stakeholders for success.
5. The RCAF strives to achieve operational advantage as an agile, integrated and inclusive air and space force.

The challenge now will be to achieve momentum. Like the other services in the canadian Armed forces, the RACF does face some significant headwinds in terms of human resources - though it is enjoyng a significant uptick in financial resources. It will be fascinating to see how the RCAF Command team gains momentum with this Strategy.