Derek 2.0

What is surprising? That the Russian bomber force works as advertised? Their countries economy aside, they have demonstrated the ability and willingness to fight, including the use of their very large strategic bomber force.

Nothing theoretical about their strategic bomber force, that with a mixture of Blackjacks, Backfires and Bears, attacked Syria yesterday......

Obama won't be President forever.....none the less, previous Republican and Democratic Presidents (even Carter) haven't shied away from defending the United States with changing security requirements.

Exactly, if Canada doesn't purchase a modern Hornet replacement, that equates to several more ANG squadrons with F-35As.......not the end of the World.

Their Foxhounds, in the Arctic, can reach (Northern) Canada with external tanks, well armed with long range air to air missiles, with double the range of the Tomcats old Phoenix AAM.

Dealer financing? Odd that, with the Globemaster, Cyclones, Hercs and Chinooks, cash was exchanged upfront........Cash the Liberals don't have budgeted. They didn't lay-out a fiscal framework through 2019/2020, hence they had no money budgeted......as such, if they purchased F-35s in 2019, they would have had to come up with money........since they did budget a Hornet life extension through ~2025, that would indicate they had no intention of purchasing F-35s inside this decade. The final contract was to be signed late next year........The Liberals have not indicated in their 4 year fiscal plan any such funds........I suppose we will have to wait until they table their first budget, but as it stands, no money for the Quessnstons........and, since being in Government, AFAIK, no money to Davie for project Resolve.

Their bomber force works, as do their Foxbats and Sukhois they have based in the Arctic, both armed with missiles that can engage their targets 2-3 the distance our current Hornets can.....

How are they going to purchase fighters in 2017 now? They have no money budgeted for any fighters.......and forget the frigates, they don't even have money budgeted for the Queenston class AORs.......

Right, and Russia and the United States are the only nations with fighters currently based within the Arctic circle.

It is indeed.....as an American, what impact do you feel a neutered Canada would have on your own National Security?

But we are already doing the training mission, if they double or triple it, it has no impact on the current bombing mission.

The Conservatives didn't have money for new fighters or frigates budgeted (last year, this year, or next year if they had of won), nor do the Liberals based on their own fiscal plan which covers their planned spending through to 2019/2020.

We're taking a pass on our (still) current combat operations.......increasing our level of trainers and aide has no impact on our combat mission.

Twisted logic? Who are these threats to Canada we need to defend ourselves from and/or the Americans wouldn't involve themselves in?

Except the Liberal's own fiscal plan........how are they going to pay the tens of billions, for not only new fighters, but also the naval renewal?

The Liberal's foreign policy statements, both during the election and presently........If the World see's radical Islam/ISIS as its gravest threat, and we're taking a pass, what twisting is that?

Exactly, if we're not going to involve ourselves in other's wars, we have no need for a combat capable military......

One doesn't need a blue-water navy to do any of that, its called a coast guard..........and Coast Guards have no need for "advanced weaponry" to defend Canada, and our overseas "interests" will be defended by others........ And outside a lightly armed Coast Guard, why does Canada need a combat capable military to defend Canada?

Odd, since the Liberals never once promised "naval projection" in any of their speeches or online documents......and if we're going to speak to rumors, I'll put more faith into the ones that I've heard, that will see the Queenston class "postponed" for good.

Not really, Iceland played a far more strategic role in the Cold War (and the Second World War) as a geographic location, than Canada.........and is why the British, then the Americans invaded the nation and only left recently........No Iceland, no North Atlantic convoys from Canada (in a Second or Third World War)........ In the advent of a war between NATO and the Soviets, the US/NATO forces in Iceland would have played a far more pivotal role than Canadian forces in Canada, including our fighter contribution to NORAD.

I know all to well, I'm sure Army Guy knows even better in regards to Medak.

It doesn't mater now what the previous Government did or didn't do, Trudeau is wearing the big-boy pants now, and has promised billions in new spending, with countless other groups that supported him (see First Nations and Province of Ontario) wanting billions more.........why would Trudeau maintain a modern military, when he doesn't want us involved in armed conflicts, nor see such a role for the forces?

Sure, but what does it really mater?

During the Cold War, a big set of crosshairs that would have involved the Soviets flattening the nation (likely with nukes) from the onset of a third World War.

And how do you know that? They have no new funding budgeted for the military, they have clearly stated they will seek a "leaner" force, focused on "peacekeeping" and domestic needs, so where do tanks, fighters, subs and modern frigates etc fit into that?