Mr. Chair and members of the committee, as stated, I'm Major-General Greg Smith, director general of international security policy at the Department of National Defence. With me, I have Major-General Bob Ritchie, director of staff of the strategic joint staff, and Mr. Eric Laporte of Global Affairs Canada.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you about the international security situation and how National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces are responding.

The events from last week in Syria with the fall of the Assad regime proved to us once again how the security situation can evolve quickly and unexpectedly. The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces, alongside Global Affairs Canada and others, will continue to monitor what this means for Syria, Russia and Iran moving forward.

Russia is currently escalating its attacks on the critical energy infrastructure that Ukrainian citizens depend on.

The fast-paced evolution of drone warfare and the ongoing introduction of new capabilities require constant adaptation, which presents significant challenges to the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces.

We also see Russia's persistent cyber and disinformation activities, which frequently target countries that provide support to Ukraine. These efforts are intended to interfere with democracy and erode public support for Ukraine.

We are seeing competition between the great powers in the Indo-Pacific that includes actions below the conflict threshold, increasing tensions and the risk of error. China is an increasingly capable and assertive actor that seeks to reshape the international system to advance its interests and values.

China is escalating its assertive and coercive behaviour in Taiwan, the East China Sea and the South China Sea. Recently, the China Coast Guard rammed, blocked and used water cannons against Philippine vessels.

North Korea's threatening rhetoric, ballistic missile launches, nuclear weapons development and deepening military co-operation with Russia are very concerning and in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Looking to the north, strategic competition, climate change and technological advancements are making the Arctic more strategically important than ever before. As receding ice from climate change renders the Arctic more accessible, we are seeing increased interest from non-Arctic states and more assertive postures from strategic competitors. For instance, both Russia and China, sometimes in collaboration, are demonstrating a more assertive posture and using a broad range of military capabilities and assets to collect intelligence.

As we navigate the geopolitical landscape, Canada's committed to upholding the rule of law and promoting democratic principles in our multilateral security efforts. Working together is an integral part of peace and security efforts, which is why Canada continues to co-operate with Ukraine and the multinational coalition to meet Ukraine's most urgent needs. In addition to the NASAMS air defence system, Minister Blair announced $64.8 million in new donations and contributions to the Ukraine Defense Contact Group's drone and information technology capability coalition.

In the Indo-Pacific, we are increasing the Canadian Armed Forces' presence in multilateral exercises and expanding training partnerships, senior leadership engagement and new bilateral agreements. In recognition of the strategic importance of the Arctic, our defence policy, “Our North, Strong and Free”, recognizes Arctic and northern approaches as critical to global deterrence.

Our increased spending will boost military readiness and expand capabilities in direct support of these priorities.

National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces are committed to adapting and working with our allies as the international security landscape evolves. More than ever, our actions today determine the consequences of tomorrow, and we must be ready.

Mr. Chair and members of the committee, thank you for your attention. I look forward to your questions.

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