Canada is trying, man
While on a shoestring budget (just a tiny 1.37 percent of GDP, hovering at the bottom of NATO with Luxembourg), the Canadian Defence Forces are at least trying to field some new gear.
Besides the build-out of the (admittedly very lightly armed but at least ice capable) six-ship DeWolf-class Arctic patrol ships, a couple of new (to them) weapons platforms have broken cover.
Last month, the RCN armed and deployed a 17-foot uncrewed British Meggitt-OinetiQ Hammerhead USV-T (Unmanned Surface Vehicle, Target) with explosives during Exercise Trident Fury 2025, turning the target drone into a killer drone.
Launched from the City (Halifax)-class frigate HMCS Vancouver (FFH 331) and guided via satellite link, the Hammerhead successfully struck a target vessel, ironically another Hammerhead, destroying both.
With a 135-hp gas 3.0L MerCruiser Alpha 1 engine, the 1-ton Hammerhead can hit 35 knots and has enough fuel for 12-hour operations. No word on how big the charge was, but it looked dramatic. However, keep in mind that this COTS USV has been trialed in swarm operations with up to 40 vessels.
Which could be cool.
Meanwhile, in the Baltics
CAF members, operating in the Multinational Artillery Battalion Group in Latvia, have been operating Saab RBS 70 NG Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORD) systems during Exercise Baltic Zenith.
“From setup to missile launch and teardown, the system was put to the test and delivered the desired effect.”
Members of the Multinational Artillery Battalion Group conduct a teardown of the Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORD) during Exercise BALTIC ZENITH near the Baltic Sea, Latvia, on 04 June 2025. Photo: Corporal Michael Vandenbroek, Canadian Armed Forces Imagery Technician
Members of the Multinational Artillery Battalion Group conduct setup of the Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORD) during Exercise BALTIC ZENITH near the Baltic Sea, Latvia, on 04 June 2025. Photo: Corporal Michael Vandenbroek, Canadian Armed Forces Imagery Technician
Medium shot of the moment a missile is fired from the Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORD) by the Multinational Artillery Battalion Group during Exercise BALTIC ZENITH near the Baltic Sea, Latvia, on 04 June 2025. Photo: Corporal Michael Vandenbroek, Canadian Armed Forces Imagery Technician
Wide drone shot of the Multinational Artillery Battalion Group firing the Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORD) during Exercise BALTIC ZENITH near the Baltic Sea, Latvia, on 04 June 2025. Photo: Corporal Michael Vandenbroek, Canadian Armed Forces Imagery Technician
Canada has been acquiring a small number of RBS-70s since 2024, specifically “to counter the assessed air threat within the Baltic region.”
The platform, originally fielded in the late 1970s, has been steadily updated and is in its at least fifth generation at this point. It has recently claimed several low-flying (under 10,000 feet ceiling) Russian aircraft (Ka-52, Mi-8, Su-24, and large UAVs) in Ukraine– so you know it works.
You would be remiss to not consider their use by the Marine Littoral Regiments in their area denial role in the Pacific.