{"id":352442,"date":"2023-11-14T10:12:41","date_gmt":"2023-11-14T15:12:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/skiesmag.com\/?post_type=features&p=352442"},"modified":"2023-11-14T10:12:41","modified_gmt":"2023-11-14T15:12:41","slug":"rcaf-eric-kenny-challenging-transition-gain-operational-advantage","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/skiesmag.com\/features\/rcaf-eric-kenny-challenging-transition-gain-operational-advantage\/","title":{"rendered":"RCAF’s LGen Eric Kenny on the challenging transition to gain operational advantage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

To detect and deter future threats, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) must achieve operational advantage over those it is most likely to confront. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine, the rising capabilities of the Chinese People\u2019s Liberation Army, persistent North Korean ballistic missile launches, Iranian rhetoric and equipment sales to Russia and extremist actors \u2014 all have cast a long shadow over RCAF capability, acknowledged RCAF commander Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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RCAF Commander LGen Eric Kenny. RCAF Photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have current capabilities that allow us to deal with some of those potential adversaries or threats, but not necessarily to conduct state-on-state deterrence, or integrated deterrence with our allies, and not necessarily to allow us to fight and win if it was required,\u201d he said in a recent interview. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upgrades to the CF-18 Hornet fleet and other platforms will enhance detection capability, improve command and control connectivity, and integrate new weapons to allow the RCAF to \u201cat least achieve operational parity,\u201d Kenny noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A CF-18 Hornet pilot. Tobias Christink Photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Under the Hornet Extension Project, Phase II, for example, 36 of the fighter jets are receiving an active electronically scanned array radar, as well as air-to-air short-range and medium-range missiles. Initial operational capability is expected by the end of this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At best, though, those serve as competition to adversaries, not overmatch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy concern remains, if we were to go into conflict, do we have the systems to ensure survivability, interoperability, and to achieve mission affects that would be required by our joint partners to be value added,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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