Written by Carter J. Lewis
The Canadian Rangers are a sub-component of the Canadian Army Reserve. Their motto, Vigilants, which means The Watchers in Latin, presents their role as the guardians of Canada’s most remote regions. They live and work in isolated and coastal regions of Canada that cannot adequately or economically be covered by other elements of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
The Canadian Rangers provide lightly equipped, self-sufficient mobile forces to support the CAF and national security operations in Canada. There are approximately 5,000 Rangers who speak more than 25 languages living in 200+ communities. This specialized reserve component of the CAF is divided into 5 Canadian Ranger Patrol Groups (CRPG):
- 1 CRPG, based in Yellowknife, is responsible for Nunavut Territory, Northwest Territories, Yukon Territory and Atlin, British Columbia. This area represents close to 40% of Canada’s land mass. 1 CRPG reports to the 3rd Canadian Division and has approximately 2,000 rangers in 61 patrols, as well as more than 1,400 junior rangers
- 2 CRPG, based in Richelin, Quebec, is responsible for Northern Quebec, James Bay and the lower north shore. 2 CRPG reports to the Canadian 2nd Division and has approximately 700 rangers in 31 patrols
- 3 CRPG, based in Border, Ontario, is responsible for remote coastal and inland regions of Northern Ontario. 3 CRPG reports to the Canadian 4th Division and consists of approximately 645 rangers in 26 patrols
- 4 CRPG, based in Victoria BC, is responsible for BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Reporting to the 4th Canadian Division, 4 CRPG has 913 rangers in 49 patrols
- 5 CRPG, based in Gander NL, is responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador. Reporting to the 5th Canadian Division, 5 CRPG consists of 1100 rangers in 34 patrols
The Canadian Rangers are essential to CAF operations, especially in the Arctic far away from current military installations. Maintaining CAF presence in remote communities is an indispensable role the Rangers play. The Rangers provide invaluable assistance to CAF operations in remote locations where they act as guides and experts on the local terrain.
CRPGs partake in many vital operations, such as conducting and providing support to sovereignty missions like reporting suspicious activities and collecting local intelligence of military significance. Presence is also maintained through instruction, mentoring and supervision of youth in the Junior Rangers Program.
The Rangers have been equipped with the Lee Enfield .303 since 1947. Starting in 2018 the rangers have gradually been issued the C-19, a rifle designed by the Finnish company Sako. The new rifle is being produced by Colt Canada. Their standard kit consisting of a C-19 rifle, GPS, radio, first aid, rescue supplies and snowmobiles have served the rangers well. However, to effectively keep up with the modernization of the CAF, we must not neglect the development of the mission-critical Canadian Rangers.
By providing Canadian Ranger Patrol Groups with the Swedish-designed Bandvagn BV206 tracked vehicles, which are already in operation by the CAF, we increase the interoperability and effectiveness of the Rangers. The BV206 would provide the Rangers with more mission flexibility and safety when working in the harshest environments. The BV206 can provide transportation, shelter, and medical facilities and as such, it is essential to provide the Rangers with these vehicles. As tested by and seen in the Canadian Army and British Royal Marines, who are experts in the Arctic environment, the BV206 is a premier Arctic infantry fighting/support vehicle.
If the Canadian Rangers were supplied with small, hand-launched, unmanned surveillance drones, it would increase their situational awareness and effectiveness at intelligence collection. The AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven is ideal for low-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions that depend on rapid deployment and pinpoint maneuverability. The Raven is rucksack portable and can be launched for day or night observations. The low cost and flexibility of this drone makes it ideal for rangers operating out of BV206 tracked carriers.
Although every ranger patrol group is critical to the CAF, the 1st CRPG’s location near the Arctic Circle makes it the most likely group to encounter hostility. Because of this, 1 CRPG must be doubled in size and BV206s and Raven drones should be provided to them. CRGPs are great assets to assist in search and rescue missions, and increased medical training, as well as BV206s outfitted as ambulances for rangers, would be beneficial.
The Canadian Rangers are an integral part of the CAF and must be treated as such. Although CRPGs have done their job dutifully, the Rangers are not fully equipped to meet the CAF’s increase in operations near the Arctic Circle. If we are to project power further north than ever before, the Canadian Rangers will need to be heavily involved.
For them to meet that operational threshold, the Canadian Government must focus on their modernization just as much as any other element of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Sources:
National Defence, Canadian Army. “Government of Canada.” Canada.Ca, / Gouvernement du Canada, 11 Mar. 2021, www.canada.ca/en/army/corporate/canadian-rangers.html.
