The long term intent is that with a structure in place, over time, equipment can be acquired to arm the whole force. For example, if an IFV is acquired for the 1 Div units then the equivalent of 4 bns worth of LAVs can be transferred to 2 Div to flesh out their ResF companies. Similalry for artillery, if SPs are purchased for 1 Div then a dozen or so M777s can be transferred to 2 Div.
I'd rather see a 2 - 2 - 2 Bde Structure
2 Heavy: Armored Brigades with MBT, Heavy IFV Tracked, M109A7 etc
2 Medium: LAV - splitting them between 1 and 2 Div, which eats up basically all the LAV Canada has now anyway, and still needs new variants anyway.
2 Light:
I don't put the Arty into the Bde's but hold as a Div asset each with an Arty Bde, plus a 3rd Bde as a Corps asset that can be allocated as needed.
I see a requirement for 30/70 and 70/30 mixes in the Bde's
Roto 0's to me would be conducted by a Light or LAV Bde as applicable with the Heavy Bde's being earmarked for Europe (and Ideally one predeployed) - most of the Heavy Bde Arty would be 70/30 or higher - while the LAV and Light Bde's would be primarily 30/70 as the expectation that they would be need immediately be less than the Infantry portion.
Regardless I think that the CA needs more M777's,
I don't see the M119 as just a training gun, I see it as a gun we know the Reserves can easily use and will not strain the support ecosystem. It may not be the most viable system, but it's not just a training gun.
Sure they can use it, but they can also easily use a M109, M777 or HIMARS.
When I went to Gagetown in 1988 for a summer tasking, I was shocked at how many of the local RCA units had M109 qualified personnel - one of the Det commanders pointed out that it was similar to those of us from Ont getting L-5 experience, as they where local and had ease to get to them and the training area.
What may need to occur is that units get roles that fit their geographical positioning - so units close to Gagetown, Suffield, Shilo and Wainright get M109's that are stored at those facilities.
M777 and HIMARS are much easier to move.
The number I mentioned was to give us some form of war stock, because it's clear a war like Ukraine will burn through all the guns we have in short order. You need the guns you want and the ones I want to have any depth and war stocks.
155mm production is surging - but also at the expense of 105 production - no one is investing into new 105mm plants - so getting a slew of training guns that won't have an ammo op stock in a few years is just throwing good money after bad.
As far as personal goes, it's a wonder anybody bothers to show up at all. The government and the senior leaders have made it clear there is no one is giving a shit about the Reserve artillery. So people read the tea leaves and walk. With the looming cuts that are coming, I have absolute faith that any plan to bolster Reserve artillery is going into the bin as it is not sexy/important enough. In fact the only hope I can see is if SK offers to provide us with some refurbished M101's to sweeten a KS-III sub buy.
I am jaded, I don't have any faith whatsoever. I dearly hope I am wrong, but I doubt it.
M101's are not going to do anything for the CA, you'd be better off with a 120mm Mortar at that point.
Every armory should have simulation centers - ideally that are networked into a lager framework to allow guns, rockets, tanks and IFV's to operate both separately for Individual Training, but in unison as well for collective Bde training (and higher).
