The Canadian Army is accelerating its modernization — introducing new weapons and technologies to meet emerging threats. But before anything is bought or fired, a critical step must be taken: ensuring it’s actually legal to use. 

Major Michael Smith is a Canadian Armed Forces legal officer with the Directorate of International Operational Law. He explains how international humanitarian law shapes the weapons Canada develops, acquires, and uses. Find out why some weapons are banned, how others can be used legally or illegally depending on context, and how Canada works to keep warfare within the bounds of humanity — even as technology evolves.

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© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2026