Two years after the emergency order, Canada’s new defense policy was announced on Monday, promising to strengthen the military’s surveillance and combat capabilities in the Arctic.
The strategy promises to deliver new equipment, including airborne early warning aircraft (AWAC), military long-range surface-to-surface missiles, and manned or unmanned multi-role helicopters.
The plan also lists new equipment the Pentagon is considering acquiring, including air defense systems and new submarines to protect critical infrastructure.
The new policy, titled “Our North, Strong and Free,” includes $8.1 billion in new defense spending over the next five years and promises a further $73 billion in defense spending over the next 20 years. has been done.
Additional investments will not allow Canada to fully meet NATO’s military spending target for member states (2% of gross domestic product). The Liberal government estimates that the new policy will increase military spending to 1.76% of GDP by 2029-30.
“This is a significant increase in defense spending and a major step forward in our efforts to achieve the 2% GDP ratio agreed to by NATO members at the 2023 Vilnius Summit,” the policy document said. There is.
It remains to be seen how Canada’s allies, many of whom are pressuring Ottawa to deliver on its commitments in response to Russia’s war with Ukraine, will receive the proposal.
Key allies, particularly the United States and Britain, are also pressuring Canada to take a more active position in defending the Arctic, where Russia has built and is recovering many Cold War-era capabilities and bases.
“The most urgent and important challenge facing us is Canada’s sovereignty over the Arctic and northern regions, where changes in the physical and geopolitical landscape are creating new threats and vulnerabilities for Canada and Canadians.” ,” the policy document states.
The strategy says new threats in the region include “advanced submarines.” [and] To counter these threats, according to defense policy, the federal government will establish a network of operational support bases in the north, purchase airborne early warning aircraft, deploy underwater sensors on all three coasts, and install satellite ground stations. It is said that there are plans to build a. It operates in the High Arctic and strengthens Canada’s foreign intelligence capabilities.
![The submarine has returned to port.](https://i.cbc.ca/1.5127098.1685134916!/cpImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/original_780/navy-subs-20190122.jpg)
The government said it will consider the possibility of acquiring new submarines to replace the 30-year-old Victoria-class submarines. Submarines will be an important means of defending the Arctic, and the Navy has already indicated options to acquire up to 12 conventionally powered submarines.
In line with the federal government’s plan to purchase F-35 fighter jets, national defense policy indicates the military is prepared to use force to defend the continent.
“We will also develop a more powerful strike force to deter adversaries and move threats away from our shores,” the policy document says. “We will acquire long-range missile capabilities for the Army. These missiles will be deployed to allow our forces to out-shoot our adversaries in combat.
“We are also committed to providing the Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force with the striking power they need to deter threats at appropriate ranges, and will explore options to acquire long-range air- and sea-launched missiles. ”
![In this distributed image released by South Korea's Ministry of Defense, an Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) is fired during a joint US-South Korean training exercise at an undisclosed location on Wednesday. South Korean and US forces fired a volley of missiles, but one appears to have failed to launch.](https://i.cbc.ca/1.6606557.1712590217!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/original_780/1430567925.jpg)
Climate change is also adding urgency to the federal government’s focus on the Arctic.
“Our Arctic is currently four times warmer than the global average, making the vast and sensitive region more accessible to foreign powers with expanding capabilities and regional military ambitions.” It’s written in the document.
This strategy identifies both China and Russia as potential threats and states that Russia must not be allowed to wage a successful war against Ukraine. The document states that Russia’s military buildup in the north creates uncertainty for NATO that must be addressed.
“The new geography of the Russian threat undermines our ability to support our European allies from a position of strength,” the policy document says. “Our Arctic defense will be more important than ever.”
Attention: Canadian Armed Forces relaxes recruitment rules
Some of the defense policy language regarding China reflects what the federal government wrote in its Indo-Pacific Strategy. The paper notes that Beijing is “increasingly aggressive in seeking to reshape the international system to advance its own interests and values, which are increasingly divorced from our own in matters of defense and security.” It has become a “global entity”.
But the policy also promises to “intentionally” manage defense relations with China on key issues such as freedom of navigation and the future of Taiwan.
“Frank, open and respectful dialogue is important and helps clarify Canada’s national position. “This could disrupt the global economy and cost the world trillions of dollars,” the policy document said.
The Canadian Armed Forces is facing a conscription crisis. There is a shortage of both regular and reserve forces, up to 15,780 members. The military also faces a number of critical social deficiencies, including access to affordable housing and day care.
The new strategy is to accelerate recruitment by offering a trial period for prospective employees. Defense Minister Bill Blair is urging the MoD to adopt such a model to get more people into uniform faster.