Canada’s Ability to Detect Chinese, Russian Incursions in Arctic ‘Very Limited,’ Says CAF General

Ships are framed by pieces of melting sea ice in Frobisher Bay in Iqaluit, Nunavut, on July 31, 2019. Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press

Canada’s ability to detect foreign incursions in its Arctic territories is “very limited” and in need of modernization, says a high-ranking Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) general.

“The North Warning System is very limited in its ability to actually detect the current threat presented by Russia right now and China in the future,” said Lt. Gen. Alain Pelletier, deputy commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), while testifying before the House of Commons national defence committee on Nov. 1.