Canada to procure ISR aircraft to bolster ground operations

Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) is reportedly planning to procure four intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, as part of efforts to strengthen insurgents’ tracking and targeting potential on the ground.

The acquisition forms part of the Manned Airborne ISR programme, which is focussed at expanding surveillance potential of the Canadian military.

In what is claimed to be Canada’s first of its kind procurement, the aircraft would be integrated with signals intercept capability and sensors that can target ground movement.

The aircraft will be operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force and will be offered to other units alongside CANSOFCOM.

Canada Department of National Defence spokesman Dan Blouin was quoted by DefenseNews as saying: "It is being examined as a dedicated ISR platform capable of direct support to ground troops, however it shall also be capable of supporting all operations.

The latest procurement would add to already existing intelligence and reconnaissance platforms, including the CP-140 Aurora, which is the Canadian version of the US Navy’s P-3.

The new ISR aircraft fleet would be deployed on short notice, unlike Aurora aircraft, to support ground operations.

As part of efforts to support the programme, Boeing had been promoting its reconfigurable airborne multi-intelligence system (RAMIS) to the Canadian forces.

The RAMIS is capable of offering an array of payloads, which include a ground moving target indicator in addition to communications intercept capabilities.