- Reaction score
- 18,731
- Points
- 1,160
I actually don't think we need them - we can continue to use clapped out C3s for saluting bases.
For operational artillery for an army of around 25,000 RegF and 30,000 ARes I see the following (which equates to two small expeditionary-capable armoured divisions, a larger homeland division and a general support division):
6 x SP regiments - 108 x 155mm SP guns plus 36 medium range UAV/LM launchers plus 6 x STA batteries
1 x light regiment - 18 - 24 x 155mm M777 plus 6 medium range UAV/LM launchers plus 1 x STA battery
6 x HIMARS regiments - 108 launchers plus 36 long range UAV/LM launchers plus 6 STA batteries
3 x STA regiments - 9 x STA/EW/MI fusion batteries plus 18 long range UAV/LM launchers
6 x AD regiments - 18 x mixed VSHORAD/SHORAD batteries
Plus an adequate number of training and tech spares.
Note that only two HIMARS regiments are allocated to the expeditionary armoured divisions. The other four are three: in the homeland division in an A2/AD role and one in the GS division that can go either way (my guess is homeland A2/AD and not expeditionary)
In total that needs about 10,000 gunners not counting sigs and MI or logisticians. We currently have just less than half of that in Reg and ARes gunners. If you want to arm Canada for a real war then you need to first provide the weapons that are needed. ARes forces will have to make a substantial contribution in all of these fields many of which do not need routine access to a firing range very often - maybe once per year - nor will they need full time soldiers during peacetime. Much of this works on simulation.
Eventually we'll have to think about an arty role in the field of several IAMD regiments.
