Events

Canadian Troops Take Top Spot to Earn Trophy

Mishall Rehman July 22, 2024

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After a 30-year hiatus, the internationally renowned Canadian Army Trophy (CAT) tank competition was revived this year, with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) taking home the trophy.

Initiated in 1963, the CAT is designed for NATO allies to sharpen their skills and readiness jointly in a fun-spirited competition.

“It serves as a platform for sharing tactics, techniques, and procedures among participating nations, fostering camaraderie and friendly competition. The event highlights the collective strength and commitment of NATO and Allied Nations to ensure regional security and stability,” said Capt. Wyatt Shorter, Public Affairs Officer, Exped Operations, Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC).

Members of The Royal Canadian Dragoons (RCD) take first place in the RCD’s Canadian ArmyTrophy (CAT) 2024 competition – the first since 1991 – at the Latvian Army’s Camp Adazi inAdazi, Latvia, on 4 May 2024.Photo: Corporal Sébastien Lauzier-Labarre, Canadian Forces Combat Camera.

Decades of Tradition Revived

The CAT was first held in 1963 when the Canadian Army 4th Mechanized Brigade forward was deployed in West Germany. Over the decades, the competition included various NATO countries, with the trophy passing from one allied nation to another.

Over the years, it became known as the premier tank gunner event.

The competition was last held in 1991 at Grafenwoehr, Germany, where Germany won the trophy. The competition was then suspended when Canadian tanks cleared out of Europe.

The competition was revived this year with the reintroduction of Canadian tanks to Europe and the CAF deployment to Latvia as the leaders of NATO’s Forward Enhanced Presence in the eastern European nation.

“The reintroduction of the Canadian Army Trophy is a testament to Canada’s dedication to the NATO mission in Latvia. The deployment of a Canadian Army Tank Squadron in November 2023, featuring 15 Leopard 2 tanks, marked the return of Canadian tanks to Europe and set the stage for the revival of the competition,” added Shorter.

A Canadian Leopard 2 tank with The Royal Canadian Dragoons take part in the Canadian Army Trophy tank gunnery competition during Operation REASSURANCE at Camp Adazi, in Latvia, on 02 May, 2024. Photo Credit: Corporal Bryan Bodo, Canadian Armed Forces Imagery Technician.

Canada Brings Home Trophy

This year’s event brought together eight teams from countries, including Canada, Germany, Norway, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Italy. Italy had two teams competing.

“The Canadian Army Trophy 2024 not only highlighted the professionalism and capabilities of the participating nations but also reinforced the importance of collective defense and interoperability within the NATO Alliance,” commented Shorter.

Team Canada was comprised of a four-member crew operating the Leopard 2 Main Battle Tank.

Team Canada came out on top to claim the trophy. Team United Kingdom and Team Italy were not too far behind.