Disarming our soldiers is no way to help Ukraine
Ex-defence minister betrays troops with ludicrous recommendation to government
A column that appeared in Sun Newspapers recently suggested Canada should disarm its own soldiers to help Ukraine in its war with Russia. Our soldiers are currently pledged to defend Canada, Canadians and our NATO allies – presently in Latvia. They’re part of a bulwark against expansion of Russia’s illegal war into neighbouring allied nations. The idea Canada’s soldiers should be disarmed just as the world takes such a dangerous turn is ludicrous.
That this proposition came from someone who should know better – former defence minister Peter Mackay – makes it even worse. It borders on treachery.
Canada has almost 1,000 soldiers stationed in Latvia, where they are reinforcing NATO’s frontline in our increasingly fractious stand-off with Russia. They are too few to provide much deterrence, despite a recent increase in their strength. But, Canada owes them every opportunity to defend themselves and to make a difference.
To this end, our government is sending them an artillery battery equipped with Canada’s biggest and most modern guns: M-777 Howitzers capable of launching precision-guided high-explosive shells at targets up to 30km away. These guns are proven in battle. They saved Canadian and allied lives in Afghanistan by destroying our enemies on the battlefield. They are exactly the weapon system our troops in Latvia need. Though, they need much more than the paltry handful we’re sending them.
Right now, Canada should be rapidly increasing the arms and equipment available to our troops. Instead, Mackay argues the opposite. He called on Canada to rob our army of the few modern guns it has, to gift them to Ukraine. No doubt, our best artillery guns would be valuable assets to the beleaguered Ukrainian army – for as long as they survived. Which is likely not long, given Russia’s dominance of Ukraine’s sky.
But stripping Canada’s army of its best weapons now, while we’re calling on them to step up in defence of our NATO allies, would be nothing short of a betrayal of our troops in uniform.
Mackay should know better. He boasts he was the minister responsible for procuring these guns for Canada’s army in Afghanistan. One might think he would have some understanding of how important these weapon systems are to keeping Canadian soldiers alive and in the fight. Clearly, he does not.
His suggestion most of Canada’s artillery pieces are collecting dust in Canadian bases is insultingly ignorant. Fighting and winning battles takes enormous skill, not just expensive equipment. Honing that skill is a year-round job for Canada’s professional army.
Soldiers in Canada train daily on these guns so that, when called upon, they will be ready to fight and destroy our enemies. Without that near-constant training, the guns become little more than statuary.
Mackay should also know war is ugly. People die. Equipment and weapons are destroyed. Our soldiers in Latvia, should they be called into action, may lose lives and guns. If we wish to win in battle, we need fresh soldiers and spare guns to replace those lost in combat. If we wish to deter a Russian aggressor attacking NATO, President Putin must know we can replenish and reinforce our troops on the ground. Giving away our spares proves exactly the opposite.
Disarming Canadian soldiers is not the way to deter Russia, and it is certainly not the way to help Ukraine.
Mark Towhey was a Canadian army combat arms officer for 14 years, serving in Canada, the USA, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. He is now a trusted advisor to business and political leaders. Twitter: @towhey