Canada Defence Force

[RubiconNZ]

Today our Dear Leader in NZ is throwing shade Canada‘s way in regards to defence spending and supposedly our expenditure by GDP is greater than that of Canada.

Ardern fires back at defence spending criticism from Luxon

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has fired back at criticism from National and Act that the Government is not spending enough on defence - pointing out she ha

www.newstalkzb.co.nz

Perfect timing for a defence boost for Canada it seems. Awkward timing for NZ’s Government but could impact the ongoing conversation in each respective country.

 

[IHFP]

Chapter 5: Canada’s Leadership in the World | Budget 2022
Please refer to the "Key Ongoing Actions" and "Chapter 5.1" for information regarding the Canadian Federal Budget (2022), as it pertains to the military.

Points include
- More defence spending.
- Allocations to both "NATO" and "NORAD"
- Development of "Cyber Security"
- Continued support for Ukraine
- Protection from "misinformation and disinformation"

 

[John Fedup]

Eight billion extra dollars over the next five years. Exactly what I expected as junior’s response to the deteriorating geopolitical environment. Our NATO allies will be mighty impressed…

 

[Redlands18]

Eight billion extra dollars over the next five years. Exactly what I expected as junior’s response to the deteriorating geopolitical environment. Our NATO allies will be mighty impressed…

$8B extra over the next 5 years? That's closer to what NZ should be doing

 

[Delta204]

Eight billion extra dollars over the next five years. Exactly what I expected as junior’s response to the deteriorating geopolitical environment. Our NATO allies will be mighty impressed…

For a bit more context, that's in addition to the increases previously outlined under Strong, Secure, Engage from 2017. That means defence spending will double in the ten year period between 2017 to 2027.

Still appears to be lots of uncertainty from defence insiders for now on what the details will be; it will be interesting to follow this over the next year.

 

[John Fedup]

For a bit more context, that's in addition to the increases previously outlined under Strong, Secure, Engage from 2017. That means defence spending will double in the ten year period between 2017 to 2027.

Still appears to be lots of uncertainty from defence insiders for now on what the details will be; it will be interesting to follow this over the next year.

This extra amount along with the money already promised still only results in 1.5% GDP by 2027. Some reports suggest $6 billion of the $8 billion will be for NORAD which could mean new radars for the Arctic or new drones for surveillance or far north base infrastructure or a combination of these requirements.

 

[John Fedup]

This article agrees with my disappointment wrt the defence budget. Note the comment there is no guarantee junior’s government will actually fully deliver on money promised out to 2027 to arrive at 1.5% GDP. Also, questionable whether our procurement staff can actually send the money on time.

Canada's plan to boost military spending ‘falls flat’ amid high hopes

The increase doesn't meet NATO's target for its members to spend at least 2 percent of their GDP on defense.

www.politico.com

 

[John Fedup]

This summary of the CAF senior officers involved sex scandals certainly doesn’t gain electoral support for enhancing Canada’s military capabilities and is a huge recruitment obstacle for increasing female members.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/sexual-misconduct-military-senior-leaders-dnd-caf-1.6218683

 

[spoz]

I wonder what the result would be if members of other public groups, say politicians, were held to the same standards?

While I’m not supporting sexual assault, I fail to see why a separated person having an affair with somebody not in his chain of command should be an issue - nor playing golf with someone who has not been charged with anything (Chief of Navy, not the VCDF). Starting to look a bit like Salem in the late 17th century….. or a concerted effort to destroy faith in the Defence forces. The vague, inter alia, “some people didn’t like the outcome” doesn’t inspire confidence in me as to the motives of the reporter, either.

 

[John Fedup]

I wonder what the result would be if members of other public groups, say politicians, were held to the same standards?

While I’m not supporting sexual assault, I fail to see why a separated person having an affair with somebody not in his chain of command should be an issue - nor playing golf with someone who has not been charged with anything (Chief of Navy, not the VCDF). Starting to look a bit like Salem in the late 17th century….. or a concerted effort to destroy faith in the Defence forces. The vague, inter alia, “some people didn’t like the outcome” doesn’t inspire confidence in me as to the motives of the reporter, either.

CBC is definitely biased against the military and is basically a parrot operation for junior. That being said, the Canadian military does have a huge problem with sexual abuse and it exists at all levels with many lesser known cases. Several high ranking female officers have quit in disgust.

As for others being held to the same standards, that is mostly true here and quite a few senior executives have lost their positions. Pollies, surely you are kidding? They are just so special…(puke emoji needed)

 

[John Fedup]

Finally some investment in North American defence by Canada. Lots of other kit is required like P-8s, drones, and heavy ice breakers, all promised (at some point). Submarine replacement has been acknowledged as well but that is a long way off.

Canada plans new $1-billion radar to protect North American cities

The radar system would be built in southern Canada, according to the briefing. But the system would keep watch on Arctic airspace to detect threats against major U.S. or Canadian cities.

ottawacitizen.com

 

[Vanquish]

I was wondering in regards to a new North American defense radar if it would be possible, or make sense to go with the Lockheed Martin AN/SPY-7(V)1. Canada will be using a version of this radar on the new CSC and also building a new Land Based Test Facility for this radar at Hartlen Point NS. As the Americans are constructing a facility at Clear Air Force station in Alaska for this radar and I believe one in Hawaii, perhaps the commonality of this radar would mean that it could be in operation sooner than developing a whole new radar system.

SPY-7

SPY-7 radar is the most advanced technology that will provide the capability to make decisions – accurately and quickly.

www.lockheedmartin.com

 

[ngatimozart]

I was wondering in regards to a new North American defense radar if it would be possible, or make sense to go with the Lockheed Martin AN/SPY-7(V)1. Canada will be using a version of this radar on the new CSC and also building a new Land Based Test Facility for this radar at Hartlen Point NS. As the Americans are constructing a facility at Clear Air Force station in Alaska for this radar and I believe one in Hawaii, perhaps the commonality of this radar would mean that it could be in operation sooner than developing a whole new radar system.

SPY-7

SPY-7 radar is the most advanced technology that will provide the capability to make decisions – accurately and quickly.

www.lockheedmartin.com

No because the wave lengths and frequencies are different. If the OTHR is similar to the Australian JORN OTHR it will bounce RF energy off the ionosphere and receive reflected returns the same way. Also I believe that JORN is a LF long wave radar, the opposite to SPY-7.

 

[John Fedup]

This poll is frankly, unsurprising. Given recent scandals, the chances for female recruits in the future is very limited. All the foulups wrt procurement hardly inspire the impression the CAF is a good place to work at. As for the low number of people able to recognize the RCAF logo, take your pick, to few aircraft displaying it, limited number of air shows, and a significant portion of the population newly arrived with limited knowledge of either official language.
As this poll was conducted prior to the war in Ukraine, it would be interesting to see a poll result from May-June.

Majority of Canadians have no interest in joining the military, DND poll shows

Poll results delivered in March indicate more bad news for a military that is already having trouble recruiting.

ottawacitizen.com

 

[John Fedup]

A shame it takes something like the Ukrainian crisis to get defence acquisitions progressing here. Canada’s last system was phased out in 2012 without replacement. Fortunately we didn’t need this but we were lucky. The new system is optimistically scheduled for 2026. Anyways, a step in the right direction for a change.

Canadian military eyes new ground-based air defence system at a cost of $1 billion

Defence analysts and retired generals have pointed to the Russian invasion of Ukraine as evidence of the need for such equipment.

ottawacitizen.com

 

[OldTex]

A shame it takes something like the Ukrainian crisis to get defence acquisitions progressing here. Canada’s last system was phased out in 2012 without replacement. Fortunately we didn’t need this but we were lucky. The new system is optimistically scheduled for 2026. Anyways, a step in the right direction for a change.

Canadian military eyes new ground-based air defence system at a cost of $1 billion

Defence analysts and retired generals have pointed to the Russian invasion of Ukraine as evidence of the need for such equipment.

ottawacitizen.com

It will be interesting to see whether compatibility with US systems utilised by NORAD will be pushed (i.e. 'mandated') by US Government (on behalf of the US systems manufacturers), or whether CDF requirements will have primacy. This is all before it becomes another Canadian political football. But there are lots of systems, as MOTS, that might be suitable (to varying degrees) rather than going down the bespoke domestic system path.

 

[John Fedup]

It will be interesting to see whether compatibility with US systems utilised by NORAD will be pushed (i.e. 'mandated') by US Government (on behalf of the US systems manufacturers), or whether CDF requirements will have primacy. This is all before it becomes another Canadian political football. But there are lots of systems, as MOTS, that might be suitable (to varying degrees) rather than going down the bespoke domestic system path.

Likely folks in DND and government procurement realize lengthy military acquisition C-Fs won’t be enhancing their futures as attention is shifting towards them. More importantly this is critical kit needed for any future deployment of Canadian troops so MOTS that works and can be obtained quickly should be the way forward (hopefully).

 

[Mikeymike]

A shame it takes something like the Ukrainian crisis to get defence acquisitions progressing here. Canada’s last system was phased out in 2012 without replacement. Fortunately we didn’t need this but we were lucky. The new system is optimistically scheduled for 2026. Anyways, a step in the right direction for a change.

Canadian military eyes new ground-based air defence system at a cost of $1 billion

Defence analysts and retired generals have pointed to the Russian invasion of Ukraine as evidence of the need for such equipment.

ottawacitizen.com

Do we know what sort of system they are looking at for this?

If this is supposed to focus on the Short range are they looking for something like NASAMs or more of a direct replacement for the ADATS systems?

Unsure what they are envisioning as $1b CAD seems to rule out something longer ranged like Patriot. Just considering Australia's budget for Land 19 7b (NASAMs) is $1.5b AUD and the budget for the Medium range system is $4.9-7.3b AUD. Aware that comparing project costs across countries is incredibly hard.

 

[John Fedup]

Do we know what sort of system they are looking at for this?

If this is supposed to focus on the Short range are they looking for something like NASAMs or more of a direct replacement for the ADATS systems?

Unsure what they are envisioning as $1b CAD seems to rule out something longer ranged like Patriot. Just considering Australia's budget for Land 19 7b (NASAMs) is $1.5b AUD and the budget for the Medium range system is $4.9-7.3b AUD. Aware that comparing project costs across countries is incredibly hard.

I believe this project is a replacement for ADATS only which will provide protection for deployed Canadian forces. Any large missile defence capability would almost certainly be with US consultation likely via NORAD. A new radar system is planned but nothing about BMD…..yet.

 

[Mikeymike]

I believe this project is a replacement for ADATS only which will provide protection for deployed Canadian forces. Any large missile defence capability would almost certainly be with US consultation likely via NORAD. A new radar system is planned but nothing about BMD…..yet.

If it is a straight replacement for ADATS its interesting in comparison to what Australia is aiming for.

ADATS if my understanding is correct is VSHORAD so you would have Canada producing a VSHORAD system while Australia as far as I am aware skips VSHORAD and goes straight to SHORAD for $1.5b (NASAMs) , a Medium ranged system (likely Patriot) for $4.9-7.3b and then a ballistic, hypersonic missile defense for $15.8-23.7b