According to an international contract, military ships are not allowed in Antarctica without a scientific goal. This is what the HMCS Margaret Brooke is currently doing in the southern polar region and supports 15 Canadian climate scientists in their research.
The top commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Angus Topshee, was accompanied by the Margaret Brooke, which was accompanied by its antarctic expedition. In an exclusive interview on board the ship, Topshee spoke to Susan Ormiston of the CBC about why the Royal Canadian Navy would invest in this type of mission and why a scientific research expedition could serve to strengthen Canadian polar security.
Q: What did this mission initiated to Antarctic?
A: When I looked at what we did in the north, and especially what we did our opponents in the north, we found that … we can see climate change in the north, we can see what China and Russia did in and around the Canadian north (and think). And so the origin was, let’s have some practical experiences. Let us serve as a forced function for us to get closer to the Navy of South America who work in this polar region. Let us do some science and see if we can find out things that can help us to better protect and defend our own north.
Q: Do you think that there is a security concern in Antarctic as there are in the Arctic?
A: I definitely do it. I am concerned that the entire agreement we do not (militarize and my antarctic) … would change. And I don’t think this is in our interest that it can easily change.
Q: They said it was their goal to find out what China is doing. So what did you find out?
A: So I did not notice that the Russians had a basis below that was right next to the Chileans and where exactly it was. And so, only through the simple fact that they come here and appreciate how close all of these different operations are. And in the research before the deficit here we found that China increases its antarctic footprint, and for us we really want to understand: Is it the same kind of scientific research that you have seen here (in the north)? Much of her research is double, it obviously has both a military purpose and an economic and possibly diplomatic purpose. So it is interesting to get a better feeling for it.
Q: How does the know what China or Russia does in Antarctic, Canadian?
A: From a military point of view, it is always easy to understand the skills of another nation in relation to the military. We can see how many tanks you have, how many ships you have, how many planes you have. What is increasingly difficult to recognize is the intention. The countries will always say positive things … In fact, I saw the Chinese Minister of Defense that could have been held by our minister because the language is the same. But the interpretation and meaning of the words can often be different. And to see what you do to see what you do gives us a better understanding of your intention.
The commander of the Royal Canadian Navy is in the Antarctic Information that could help the Arctic, since both regions for countries such as Russia and China become more important for resources and security.
Q: What do you think is your intention?
A: I don’t know. I think Russia made her intention quite clear. So we saw an increase in Russian skills in the Arctic. We saw your illegal and non -provoked invasion in Ukraine. I have no doubt about Russia’s intention. But I think China is something where there are some indicators in question, as some of our planes treated when we operated, some of the answers to our operations in the South China Sea. But on another level I don’t know that they would work as differently than we operate if a Chinese working group became Canadian waters. We would still go out with our ships and our aircraft to monitor what they did, just as they monitor what we do in their waters.
Q: How would you compare the security and sovereignty concerns in the Arctic and Antarctic?
A: The biggest difference is the Antarctic Treaty. So there is a whole idea that the countries of the world will cooperate and that there is no advantage to be obtained from a country. While the Arctic, all areas are really delimited, (although) there can still be some work with certain claims … I think the biggest difference is the fact that there is already a competition in the Arctic, we know that the resources in the Arctic can be challenged. And what we have to do as Canada is still what we have done, which creates the ability to ensure that we can understand everything that happens in our Arctic and to ensure that our interests are protected.
Q: They talked about an understaffed Navy. They talked about old ships with long life and the lack of modern ships. How do you defend such expenses to get thousands of kilometers south of Canada and explore this part of the world?
A: Yes, it is very simple … We have seen the greatest increase in human prosperity since the Second World War due to the peace that was maintained at sea. Freedom of ship around the world and the desire not to be stopped by choke points from different things. Whether it’s piracy off the Somalia coast, the actions of the Houthis in the Red Sea and such things. South American navy are also part of this solution. And so this ship, Margaret Brooke, visits the way and works with all the important navy in the region to build partnerships and relationships. … we have an interest in this region, because if things are safe here, this is for the benefit of everyone. And so I think that this is a relatively small investment in the common burden to continue to ensure that the seas are free and open for everyone.
Q: What about this collaboration with scientists? They are all down there on the quarterdeck and work in the hope that you have another chance to do something like that, with a ship like this and the support you had. Will this type of Co-Pro continue?
A: I think that’s the kind of things that would be worth doing every three to five years or so to get down. You know, visit South America, visit the Antarctic to research. But frankly we have to make sure that the … governments and organizations from which these scientists come from has found the value in this value. And if Canada continues to believe that it is a worthwhile thing, then we should definitely do it again. … I just have the feeling that I have spoken to the scientists and see the crew on board, and the knowledge we have won, I think it’s worth it.
Antarctic has been ruled by a nation contract since 1959, but with increasing geopolitical tensions and a changing world order, this governance system is under pressure. From an unprecedented Canadian mission to the frozen continent, Susan Ormiston from CBC explains, which the countries are for more control.
Q: I heard that she was about “This is a global navy”. Some people wonder how we can be a global navy. We are too small. China’s ships that make ships are the largest navy that is now worldwide.
A: Well, I would like to have shipyards like China. In fact … (south) Korea’s shipyards would be fantastic. So we are building up the fleet that we need, with the commitment of the government-the 15 destroyers of the river class, the potential acquisition of 12 … submarines. We have six ships in this class, we also have two tankers. So we build the fleet we need. … so yes, we could be a little navy, but we have really global reach. In fact, HMCs Montreal carried out an circulation of the world last year as part of its Indo-Pacific commitment.
Q: We go to another Canadian choice. What will you request from the new government?
A: I prefer that we avoid election promises in terms of defense because they tend to promise negative promises. But no, I think regardless of the elected government it has chosen, there is a fairly clear commitment from Canada that we have to spend more for defense and security because the world is a dangerous place and the oceans in Canada only protect with a mighty navy.
