Being a veteran myself I am quite happy with the new attention our military is receiving, it was long overdue. You didn't mention the raise our service women and men received which also added to our target. I have also been concerned with coverage for Latvia for the long term, I would like to see recruiting numbers climb faster, but they are increasing. My nephew recently enlisted and is currently in basic training, then it will be off to battle school for him.
I can't recall a time when we ever had 12 subs, that's a lot of bodies that the RCN currently does not have, so even though it hasn't been announced yet, I am expecting an increase in regular service personnel because 12 subs will require crews we currently don't have.
While the Canadian people for the most part are currently onboard with increased military spending, the time will come when their attention changes, it's one thing to say we are on track to hit 5% GDP investment, it's another to say we can sustain that year after year without Canadians getting fed up. I worry as attention shifts and people want more investment in other things, the first place to receive cuts will be the military or VAC. It remains to be seen but our history shows our military is often an after thought for Canadian voters. Only time will tell.
Lastly, all these new toys and it makes me wish I was young enough to serve again! It is an exciting time for our troops, as we all get excited over new toys. I was in Gagetown when we retired the Twin Huey and Kiowa and welcomed the CH146 Griffin, the build up period was a lot of fun, with people gaining new skills on a new air craft. I am quite certain people on the Aurora, or the F18 are looking forward to their replacements. New toys often bring in more recruits as well, let's hope this is true this time!
The most submarines we’ve ever put in the water is the four Victoria Class we currently have - even if not all of them function at the same time. 12 is a massive increase.
During one of the pressers the Sub Force Commander or the Pacific Fleet Commander (I can’t remember which) said they had about 250 submariners and needed about 1000 to man the new fleet.
I’m an army vet myself, so I don’t know how hard that will be, but with these and the new River class it seems to me that it would be a great time to join the navy (if I were young again).
I just read about some brand new housing that was built for personnel in Edmonton. I agree: less hurry up and wait, more hurry up and go! Thanks for the update and safe travels.
If I may, there seems to be a former MoD from Ukraine that is currently available. He seems to embody the kind of ethic that militaries need in this day and age. Does this fit with reality and would Canada be willing not only learn, but implement what his practices have been? It seems to me that if you want enlistment, you have to sell the kids who will do the heavy lifting over the next 50 years a lifestyle and career path the Fedorov has given the Ukrainians.
As you know, I have never been involved in our military. But I understand it is now a priority. I thank you, your knowledge of all things military, for keeping me abreast of what’s going on. Have a nice trip to the UK.
Good to see you back here and of course with pertinent and cogent commentary.
I believe another aspect of the orange blobs push to increase spending by NATO members was based on the assumption that their spending would be predominantly with the US.
I have said before that the one thing we may be able to credit him with is shaking us out of our complacency, and it may be that defence spending with US contractors is already slipping.
When this US offensive against its allies does end, the spending will not be going back there. We and many other countries will be seeing the benefits of supplying ourselves with equipment, keeping supply chains and logistics within our borders, going back to any level of reliance on the US will be a long time coming.
I hope you enjoy the UK and Europe, you'll find yourself in good and like minded company for the most part.
My biggest worry is whether the CAF can upscale their induction process, to capture the best and brightest recruits in electronic, drone, and RCN sub operations.
We are talking about thousands of new recruits that need to be onboarded and trained up, to be effective with all the nice new toys that will start coming on line in the next 5-10 years. That is not a small ask, but instead a monumental undertaking.
And as regards the subs: yes, a dozen. And more as we can afford them.
We have 3 coastlines. We have literally millions of km² to patrol, to ensure our territory claims have validity.
It is a mystery to me why we didn't invest in developing our own Coldwater subs with our nuclear technology, starting 50 years ago.
So be it. We have to play catch up. And times-a-wastin'.
It was important for you to raise questions about the number of submarines we will eventually operate. I'm inclined to think that we "can" support the 12 discussed in public; after all, despite the naysayers, Canada is an advanced industrialized country, albeit one that has allowed serious political and cultural issues to go unresolved for too long.
WRT the F35s, the radar issue you raised is troubling, although I do wonder about those who think the Gripen J39 is a great idea. In the end, I think that Canada might be better advised to maintain the original commitment to buy 88 from Lockheed Martin.
The announcement of Canada's commitment to become an "observer" in the trilateral program being pursued by the UK, Italy and Japan to develop a sixth generation fighter is significant in this context... although the thing probably will not fly until after 2040.
Your observations about the personnel and training side of things in the Canadian armed forces are very helpful.
We are just in an observer role and GCAP is still years from production so it is not a solution to the very real possibility that the US provides a downgraded export version of the F35.
F35s, Grippens, future subsurface (& surface) combatants, etc., do nothing to protect Canadian sovereignty from the immediate (& perhaps imminent) threat. I would rather Canada spend the necessary billions NOW doing whatever it takes to convince the French & Brits to provide Canada with near term umbrella protection from their SSBNs, ideally each country supplying Canada with one boat, crewed by appropriately trained Canadian sailors, & some British & French sailors, but totally under Canadian control, running silent, & located in or near the protection awarded by Canadian waters, (MAD notwithstanding) maintenance by Brits & French Navies (same arrangement could be made with some French (land based) F/A aircraft c/w their associated low yield nuclear weapons (same applies to Brits if their new F35s have that capability). Concurrently, let's push full steam ahead getting that 300,000 reserve force in place, compartmentalized to protect western, central & eastern regions. There are many patriots within the country, including indigenous groups, who will be prepared to sacrafice to protect Canadian sovereignty, including many (but not all) police & fire dept members. Necessary C4I, along with Drones & assault rifles (along with shitloads of ammunition & minimal training) for every member (plus lots more equipment in reserve inventory) & the 3 compartmentalized regions controlled of course by the CF (assuming of course the CF has been sanitized of any Maple MAGA & similar disrupters). In addition, let's get moving on training the entire Canadian population (ages 14 to 70) on defensive & countermeasures towards counteracting an invasion by a well equipped aggressor nation, similar to what some of the Nordic & Baltic countries currently have in place. Whilst I agree with many of Carney's economic efforts to date, the lack of any concrete measures to protect Canada from the orange MAGAat narcissist south of the 49th is disappointing. Canada could be under immediate threat within the next 24 to 36 month window (potentially much sooner) unless we are willing to take drastic measures similar to these to protect our sovereignty. As I said, procuring new surface or subsurface combatants, main battle tanks & other heavy artillery, F/A type aircraft, etc., just won't cut it, given the most imminent threat, IMO
Heard that HQ still hasn't transitioned from the traditional beaurocratic method of procurement, to a more agile, market driven approach. it must be a challenge to change to a more streamlined approach.
Being a veteran myself I am quite happy with the new attention our military is receiving, it was long overdue. You didn't mention the raise our service women and men received which also added to our target. I have also been concerned with coverage for Latvia for the long term, I would like to see recruiting numbers climb faster, but they are increasing. My nephew recently enlisted and is currently in basic training, then it will be off to battle school for him.
I can't recall a time when we ever had 12 subs, that's a lot of bodies that the RCN currently does not have, so even though it hasn't been announced yet, I am expecting an increase in regular service personnel because 12 subs will require crews we currently don't have.
While the Canadian people for the most part are currently onboard with increased military spending, the time will come when their attention changes, it's one thing to say we are on track to hit 5% GDP investment, it's another to say we can sustain that year after year without Canadians getting fed up. I worry as attention shifts and people want more investment in other things, the first place to receive cuts will be the military or VAC. It remains to be seen but our history shows our military is often an after thought for Canadian voters. Only time will tell.
Lastly, all these new toys and it makes me wish I was young enough to serve again! It is an exciting time for our troops, as we all get excited over new toys. I was in Gagetown when we retired the Twin Huey and Kiowa and welcomed the CH146 Griffin, the build up period was a lot of fun, with people gaining new skills on a new air craft. I am quite certain people on the Aurora, or the F18 are looking forward to their replacements. New toys often bring in more recruits as well, let's hope this is true this time!
The most submarines we’ve ever put in the water is the four Victoria Class we currently have - even if not all of them function at the same time. 12 is a massive increase.
It is huge. That’s 3 times the crew! Definitely will need to recruit for the RCN!
During one of the pressers the Sub Force Commander or the Pacific Fleet Commander (I can’t remember which) said they had about 250 submariners and needed about 1000 to man the new fleet.
I’m an army vet myself, so I don’t know how hard that will be, but with these and the new River class it seems to me that it would be a great time to join the navy (if I were young again).
Bang on comments!! Best short summary I have seen on all of these “happenings” so far.
Well done you!!
I just read about some brand new housing that was built for personnel in Edmonton. I agree: less hurry up and wait, more hurry up and go! Thanks for the update and safe travels.
If I may, there seems to be a former MoD from Ukraine that is currently available. He seems to embody the kind of ethic that militaries need in this day and age. Does this fit with reality and would Canada be willing not only learn, but implement what his practices have been? It seems to me that if you want enlistment, you have to sell the kids who will do the heavy lifting over the next 50 years a lifestyle and career path the Fedorov has given the Ukrainians.
As you know, I have never been involved in our military. But I understand it is now a priority. I thank you, your knowledge of all things military, for keeping me abreast of what’s going on. Have a nice trip to the UK.
Good to see you back here and of course with pertinent and cogent commentary.
I believe another aspect of the orange blobs push to increase spending by NATO members was based on the assumption that their spending would be predominantly with the US.
I have said before that the one thing we may be able to credit him with is shaking us out of our complacency, and it may be that defence spending with US contractors is already slipping.
When this US offensive against its allies does end, the spending will not be going back there. We and many other countries will be seeing the benefits of supplying ourselves with equipment, keeping supply chains and logistics within our borders, going back to any level of reliance on the US will be a long time coming.
I hope you enjoy the UK and Europe, you'll find yourself in good and like minded company for the most part.
My biggest worry is whether the CAF can upscale their induction process, to capture the best and brightest recruits in electronic, drone, and RCN sub operations.
We are talking about thousands of new recruits that need to be onboarded and trained up, to be effective with all the nice new toys that will start coming on line in the next 5-10 years. That is not a small ask, but instead a monumental undertaking.
And as regards the subs: yes, a dozen. And more as we can afford them.
We have 3 coastlines. We have literally millions of km² to patrol, to ensure our territory claims have validity.
It is a mystery to me why we didn't invest in developing our own Coldwater subs with our nuclear technology, starting 50 years ago.
So be it. We have to play catch up. And times-a-wastin'.
Ain’t it wonderful!!!
Very ironic that the RCN is getting German U-boats. I love it!
Thank you for your commentary.
It was important for you to raise questions about the number of submarines we will eventually operate. I'm inclined to think that we "can" support the 12 discussed in public; after all, despite the naysayers, Canada is an advanced industrialized country, albeit one that has allowed serious political and cultural issues to go unresolved for too long.
WRT the F35s, the radar issue you raised is troubling, although I do wonder about those who think the Gripen J39 is a great idea. In the end, I think that Canada might be better advised to maintain the original commitment to buy 88 from Lockheed Martin.
The announcement of Canada's commitment to become an "observer" in the trilateral program being pursued by the UK, Italy and Japan to develop a sixth generation fighter is significant in this context... although the thing probably will not fly until after 2040.
Your observations about the personnel and training side of things in the Canadian armed forces are very helpful.
I wonder if this: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-joining-global-fighter-jet-program-with-uk-italy-japan-9.7270838 means that the government shares the concern that the US will keep its best stuff from its NATO allies?
We are just in an observer role and GCAP is still years from production so it is not a solution to the very real possibility that the US provides a downgraded export version of the F35.
Excellent informative summary of what’s happening. I read them all.
I do have some problems with Carney but he is meeting the moment. Imagine if PP had won?
Enjoy your trip, and safe travels
F35s, Grippens, future subsurface (& surface) combatants, etc., do nothing to protect Canadian sovereignty from the immediate (& perhaps imminent) threat. I would rather Canada spend the necessary billions NOW doing whatever it takes to convince the French & Brits to provide Canada with near term umbrella protection from their SSBNs, ideally each country supplying Canada with one boat, crewed by appropriately trained Canadian sailors, & some British & French sailors, but totally under Canadian control, running silent, & located in or near the protection awarded by Canadian waters, (MAD notwithstanding) maintenance by Brits & French Navies (same arrangement could be made with some French (land based) F/A aircraft c/w their associated low yield nuclear weapons (same applies to Brits if their new F35s have that capability). Concurrently, let's push full steam ahead getting that 300,000 reserve force in place, compartmentalized to protect western, central & eastern regions. There are many patriots within the country, including indigenous groups, who will be prepared to sacrafice to protect Canadian sovereignty, including many (but not all) police & fire dept members. Necessary C4I, along with Drones & assault rifles (along with shitloads of ammunition & minimal training) for every member (plus lots more equipment in reserve inventory) & the 3 compartmentalized regions controlled of course by the CF (assuming of course the CF has been sanitized of any Maple MAGA & similar disrupters). In addition, let's get moving on training the entire Canadian population (ages 14 to 70) on defensive & countermeasures towards counteracting an invasion by a well equipped aggressor nation, similar to what some of the Nordic & Baltic countries currently have in place. Whilst I agree with many of Carney's economic efforts to date, the lack of any concrete measures to protect Canada from the orange MAGAat narcissist south of the 49th is disappointing. Canada could be under immediate threat within the next 24 to 36 month window (potentially much sooner) unless we are willing to take drastic measures similar to these to protect our sovereignty. As I said, procuring new surface or subsurface combatants, main battle tanks & other heavy artillery, F/A type aircraft, etc., just won't cut it, given the most imminent threat, IMO
Welcome back
Thank you very much for your analysis.
Heard that HQ still hasn't transitioned from the traditional beaurocratic method of procurement, to a more agile, market driven approach. it must be a challenge to change to a more streamlined approach.