Canadian Defence News

[BeaverFever]

3 hours ago, I am Groot said:

Its still way too costly. Buy the regular model and pull the doors and roof off. There ya go. Same thing for a fraction of the cost.

Its not otherwise the same as the commercial model, its just based on the same chassis. 

[paradox34]

On 7/27/2023 at 6:02 AM, Dougie93 said:

the military states that it is in a personnel crisis, more than 10,000 under strength

and there are shortages of basic equipment such as uniforms, sleeping bags & helmets

so this is like your house is falling down

but you go out an buy 9 Rolls Royce's to park in the driveway

typical Canada

Typical liberal response. Lets bury our years of contempt for the military with a shiny ribbon!

[Dougie93]

58 minutes ago, paradox34 said:

Typical liberal response. Lets bury our years of contempt for the military with a shiny ribbon!

the larger problem is a lack of state capacity in Canada

Canada can't build stuff anymore

yet Canada insists on trying to build its own military hardware

so the problem the politicians are going to be confronted with

is that Canada doesn't have the throughput capacity to produce the kit

so they wont even able to significantly increase the spending, even when the Trump Administration demands it

[Army Guy]

8 hours ago, I am Groot said:

Tow trucks. They're buying tow trucks. Why not just call them that?

Ok i get it they are just wreckers,whats the big deal.....  what is totally surprising is that they are perhaps the best in the world....what is Canada doing with them ....Why we did not buy the entire fleet of these type of trucks is mind boggling...after all most european nations run them as well as the UK and Australia .. I've seen a lot to of trucks in my career, but nothing like this one, they are beasts be it in 4 feet of mud pulling a 35,000 lb vehicle, or rescuing a LAV 6.0 with full armor in a swamp.....without even grunting....Winning a race against a Main battle tank x cross country and  including jumping 5 foot anti tank ditches not many tanks can do that let alone a truck...anyway sorry about the rant...not many wheeled vehicles get a rise out of me as a infanteer, but these trucks are from another world....you really have to work on getting one stuck..with a full load, and on soggy ground, this thing keeps on moving....they race these trucks on the dakar rally race...

[eyeball]

On 11/9/2024 at 4:37 PM, Army Guy said:

On the helo side, been dropped off by some of the craziest Canadian Chinook pilot that could balance that bird on the side of a mountain, with just the ramp on the ground....saving us from humping all the way up the mountain....trust me with a ruck weighing in at over 120 lbs in was well appreciated.... 

I wonder if it was the same pilot who would drop us off with our chainsaws and other tools onto a nearly vertical side-hill by placing one landing strut on a stump and saying. 'Okay there you go'...'see you in a few hours'!

Getting back aboard the same way was no less hair-raising...but I guess it might have just been the wind.

Edited November 18, 2024 by eyeball

[BeaverFever]

On 11/16/2024 at 7:40 PM, Army Guy said:

I hope they are rated to pick up the LAV 6.0, as the HL wreckers could not pick up the Lav III for the most part needed to be flat bedded....Curious as to why they did not go with the 10 x 10 version of the wrecker, as did many other countries...

 

Yeah this older article here suggests they showcased the 10x10 but I guess in typical fashion CAF went for something cheaper. Nonetheless the materials all state that the 8x8 can handle the LAV 6 and the entire wheeled fleet in fact thats is stated as the reason for the purchase 

[Army Guy]

19 hours ago, eyeball said:

I wonder if it was the same pilot who would drop us off with our chainsaws and other tools onto a nearly vertical side-hill by placing one landing strut on a stump and saying. 'Okay there you go'...'see you in a few hours'!

Getting back aboard the same way was no less hair-raising...but I guess it might have just been the wind.

Crazy skill...but to hold it while all 60 of us piled out...i guess if you do it often enough...and maybe it is so easy what do i know, but i always had a lot of respect for that much skill... 

[eyeball]

17 minutes ago, Army Guy said:

Crazy skill...but to hold it while all 60 of us piled out...i guess if you do it often enough...and maybe it is so easy what do i know, but i always had a lot of respect for that much skill... 

Well, I've landed boats thousands of times and every so often I'll co ck it up.  Of course I haven't killed everyone in a fiery explosion when I do so there is that. Every landing you walk away from as they say...

[BeaverFever]

As Canada leads a beefed-up NATO force near Russia's border, the alliance prepares for Trump

Officials say Canada is leading its largest international military exercise since the 1980s

Briar Stewart · CBC News · Posted: Nov 15, 2024 4:00 AM EST | Last Updated: November 15

Cpl. Guillaume Lavoie and Cpl. Matthew Bowler from Quebec show a defensive position in a trench during Resolute Warrior military exercises in Latvia. (Corrinne Seminoff/CBC)

 

At the sprawling forested Ādaži military base, north east of Riga, Latvia, Capt. Harrison Burrows is one of more than 3,000 troops who has spent the past two weeks participating in a Canadian-led NATO military exercise designed to simulate an attack on the Baltic nation coming from beyond its nearly 300 km-long border with Russia. 

It's the first exercise held in Latvia since the military forces in the country were scaled up to a multinational brigade, also led by Canada, that is made up of troops and equipment from more than 13 nations. 

"I would say 50 per cent if not more things that you see here today weren't actually here earlier this summer," Burrows said to CBC News during a press tour to the base on Wednesday, where combat vehicles, weaponry and a radar system were on display. 

During the past six months of his deployment, Burrows, who is normally based at CFB Valcartier, witnessed how the various military units, and different pieces of equipment were integrated into a larger force as part of an effort to bolster NATO's eastern flank.

Capt. Harrison Burrows gives a tour to media during a two-week military exercise led by Canada at Ādaži military base, north east of Riga, Latvia. (Jean-Francois Bisson/CBC)

Asked about the U.S. presidential election, Burrows admitted that there was talk among troops around what would change after president-elect Donald Trump is sworn in in January.

"There's been low-level discussions, but at the end of the day, our our mandate is for NATO," said Burrows.

The Nov. 5 election of Donald Trump could potentially create friction in the 32 member alliance, given his past warnings that the U.S. will leave NATO nations to their own defences if they don't spend more on defence.

WATCH | Canadian-led military brigade practises in Latvia: 

Canadian troops practise taking back territory in NATO war games

Canadian forces and other NATO troops practise taking back territory from enemy forces in the Resolute Warrior military exercise near Riga, Latvia. The Canadian-led exercise involved 13 NATO countries and over 3,500 troops, of which 2,200 were Canadian.

Pressure expected from Trump

In February on the campaign trail Trump even said he would encourage Russia to do "whatever" it wants to allies that don't pay up. 

While at the time the White House called those comments "appalling and unhinged," NATO's Secretary General Mark Rutte, who previously served as the prime minister of the Netherlands and frequently met with Trump during his first term as president, describes Trump as someone who tries to invigorate the debate about defence spending. 

Smoke bombs go off during the military exercises. Canada expanded its deployment in Latvia in 2023, and is committed until at least 2026. (Corinne Seminoff/CBC)

"No doubt he will push [NATO countries] again to do more, to take a bigger share of the burden, which is only fair," Rutte said in an interview with CBC News while attending the final day of the military exercises at Camp Ādaži. 

"The U.S. is about 50 per cent of NATO's economy, but they are doing more than 50 per cent of defence spending at the moment."

WATCH | NATO expecting pressure from Trump for more spending from members: 

NATO chief expects Trump to renew push on defence spending in 2nd term

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who was in Latvia this week for NATO exercises, says in his first term as U.S. president Donald Trump 'really invigorated' the debate about defence spending — something Rutte expects to hear more about when Trump takes office again.

In 2023, the U.S. spent more than $900 billion US on defence, which accounts for more than 65 per cent of NATO's overall military spending. 

While NATO allies are expected to spend two per cent of their gross domestic product [GDP] on defence, a quarter of members don't, including Canada, which is expected to spend under 1.4 per cent this year. 

While Rutte says all NATO members need to spend "considerably more" than two per cent on defence, he pointed to Canada's leadership of the multinational brigade as evidence of its commitment to supporting the security priorities of the alliance. 

Cpl. Youssef Zitouni and Cpl. Oliver Hutpays demonstrate how they would observe enemy movements from a trench during the exercises. (Corinne Seminoff/CBC)

Canada deployed until 2026

Canada's deployment to Latvia began in 2017 when hundreds of soldiers were stationed there as a part of a battlegroup. 

In 2023, Canada committed $2. 6 billion to expand and continue the deployment until 2026. 

Gen. Jennie Carignan, Canada's chief of the defence staff told CBC News that she anticipates Canada's largest international deployment to continue well beyond that. 

 "I think considering the actions of Russia and what's going on in terms of threats, we can expect Canada to be here for a long time."

Most of the Canadian troops deployed to Latvia are on six-month rotations, and in January, for the first time, Sweden will be sending 600 troops as part of its first deployment as a new NATO member, having joined the alliance in March 2024. 

Latvia, which was part of the Soviet Union until 1991 and has a large Russian population, fears that the Kremlin could try to take some of its territory.

WATCH | Defence chief says military-to-military relationship with U.S. 'very durable':

Military-to-military relationship between Canada and U.S. 'very durable,' defence chief says

Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jennie Carignan, speaking from Latvia where Canadian troops were participating in NATO exercises, says questions about incoming U.S. president Donald Trump are in the 'high policy domain' — but she stressed the relationship between the two militaries is stable and 'not going to change.'

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs expressed gratitude for Canada's commitment and hopes to see more investment, particularly in air defence.

Canada says two additional air defence systems will be put in place in Latvia in 2026, and 2027. 

"We all know what we need," said Rinkēvičs who added that NATO countries could learn from Russia, which ramped up military production and is planning to spend over six per cent of its GDP on defence in 2025. 

"We still are all living in a kind of land of hope. Unfortunately, we must face reality."

WATCH | The mission could last beyond 2026, Canada's top soldier says:

Beefed up Canadian-led NATO mission in Latvia preps for the long haul

Canada is leading a beefed up multinational NATO training mission in Latvia, which shares a 300-kilometre-long border with Russia, at an uncertain time for the military alliance. Canada's top soldier says the mission could last beyond 2026.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/nato-latvia-canada-exercises-1.7383391

 

[ExFlyer]

I am glad the Airforce is getting new equipment too

 

https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/canada-awards-8-1-billion-military-flight-training-contract/

 

Canada Awards $8.1 Billion Military Flight Training Contract

A partnership between two of Canada's largest aerospace companies has been awarded an $8.1 billion (USD) contract to provide flight training aircraft and infrastructure to the Royal Canadian Air Force for 25 years starting in 2029. SkyAlyne, which is simulator training company CAE and MRO KF Aerospace, will buy 71 new aircraft to be used by RCAF instructors to train new pilots for almost all of its frontline platforms. The Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program will also support the training of air combat systems officers and airborne electronic sensor operators. Both companies are involved in the current training program.

SkyAlyne will buy 23 Grob G 120TP turboprop singles for basic flight training and seven Beechcraft King Air 260s for multi-IFR training, and helicopter pilots will get 19 Airbus H135s. There will also be three De Havilland Dash-8 Q400s with mission training systems aboard. Future F-35 fighter pilots will take advanced training on 19 Pilatus PC-21s but will be sent to Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas for the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot training program and to the International Flying Training School at Decimomannu, Italy, for actual jet time. The company will buy its own advanced jet trainers by 2028.

 

Also https://skiesmag.com/features/rcaf-fact-program-see-new-mixed-fleet-aircraft/

 

[Army Guy]

7 hours ago, ExFlyer said:

I am glad the Airforce is getting new equipment too

 

https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/canada-awards-8-1-billion-military-flight-training-contract/

 

Canada Awards $8.1 Billion Military Flight Training Contract

A partnership between two of Canada's largest aerospace companies has been awarded an $8.1 billion (USD) contract to provide flight training aircraft and infrastructure to the Royal Canadian Air Force for 25 years starting in 2029. SkyAlyne, which is simulator training company CAE and MRO KF Aerospace, will buy 71 new aircraft to be used by RCAF instructors to train new pilots for almost all of its frontline platforms. The Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program will also support the training of air combat systems officers and airborne electronic sensor operators. Both companies are involved in the current training program.

SkyAlyne will buy 23 Grob G 120TP turboprop singles for basic flight training and seven Beechcraft King Air 260s for multi-IFR training, and helicopter pilots will get 19 Airbus H135s. There will also be three De Havilland Dash-8 Q400s with mission training systems aboard. Future F-35 fighter pilots will take advanced training on 19 Pilatus PC-21s but will be sent to Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas for the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot training program and to the International Flying Training School at Decimomannu, Italy, for actual jet time. The company will buy its own advanced jet trainers by 2028.

 

Also https://skiesmag.com/features/rcaf-fact-program-see-new-mixed-fleet-aircraft/

 

For 8.1 bil US one would think the air force could buy it's own aircraft, and teach it's own pilots....

[ExFlyer]

10 hours ago, Army Guy said:

For 8.1 bil US one would think the air force could buy it's own aircraft, and teach it's own pilots....

Yeah well, they could biu then they would have to buy all the spares, all the persons to do the maintenance and all the expenses for operating the fleets for 25 years and...as you know, the government told the public it was cheaper for civilians to do the work than Military personnel (SAR fleet maintenance is an example of how wrong they were).

The Air Force was once a proud self sustaining proud military organization but... it has become a civilian group with military operators....sort like Uber of the military LOL

[Army Guy]

CTV interview about Canadian defence spending....

Not sure why Canadians do not hear the message, We as a nation are responsible for our "own" defense. We signed an agreement back in 2014 that we would reach the 2 % of GDP by 2024....the last time i checked we are in 2024...and we are only around 1.3 %...we have had 10 years to get our shit together and we have failed...pretty much covers the entire liberal government responsibilities , one huge failure after another...So today our government says it needs another 9 years to get to 2 %...

President Trump has already told the globe, if you don't pay up, the US will not respond to any threats..So much for the old Canadian adtage of the US will protect us...What a "pathetic" people we are when we can not even protect our own nation...and we don't care about the consequences....Not just from invaders, but from natural disasters,climate change ,or even helping another nation respond to its own disasters...

How this nation treats it's military members and vets is disgusting....Most Canadians do not care period...and we scratch our heads wondering why soldiers really don't care to much for Canadians, the people they are charged to protect with their life's...

 

[Dougie93]

Navy going woke over traditional Heart of Oak song

Royal Canadian Navy dropping traditional march song over colonialism and gender concerns

Brian Lilley

Published Nov 22, 2024

 

Our navy is short thousands of sailors and struggling to build new ships, but they are looking after the important stuff – changing the official march song because it’s not woke.

 

Senior officers at the Royal Canadian Navy have spent four years discussing replacing Heart of Oak as their official march song.

 

A briefing note drafted in December 2020 states there are three issues with the lyrics that are contrary to defence policy. Those issues include not being gender inclusive, celebrating a colonial past and a reference to slavery.

 

“Disgusting,” one naval veteran said upon hearing about the attempt to change the song.

 

“It’s all I’ve ever known,” said a still-serving officer who doesn’t support the move.

 

https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/navy-going-woke-over-traditional-heart-of-oak-song

 

[BeaverFever]

19 hours ago, Dougie93 said:

Navy going woke over traditional Heart of Oak song

Royal Canadian Navy dropping traditional march song over colonialism and gender concerns

Brian Lilley

Published Nov 22, 2024

 

Our navy is short thousands of sailors and struggling to build new ships, but they are looking after the important stuff – changing the official march song because it’s not woke.

 

Senior officers at the Royal Canadian Navy have spent four years discussing replacing Heart of Oak as their official march song.

 

A briefing note drafted in December 2020 states there are three issues with the lyrics that are contrary to defence policy. Those issues include not being gender inclusive, celebrating a colonial past and a reference to slavery.

 

“Disgusting,” one naval veteran said upon hearing about the attempt to change the song.

 

“It’s all I’ve ever known,” said a still-serving officer who doesn’t support the move.

 

https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/navy-going-woke-over-traditional-heart-of-oak-song

 

Ah well it’s not great lyrics anyway. Woke ideology aside I am tired of all the British ass-kissing infused into everything and would have sounded the gong just for that.   Canada is its own country now we’re not a British colony anymore  

The Canadian version was already politically altered from the original British version anyways  There were several superficial grammatical changes in the Canadian version but the most substantive is this:

Original:  We never see the French but we wish them to stay,

Canadian:  We ne'er see our foes, but we wish them to stay

 

Edited November 23, 2024 by BeaverFever

[BeaverFever]

 

Canada’s donation of new air defence system arrives in Ukraine

 

The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, has announced that Canada’s donation of a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) has arrived in Ukraine.

This donation will help Ukraine strengthen its air defence systems against destructive air attacks on military sites, civilian critical infrastructure, and population centres. Canada has also donated more than 300 air defence missiles from Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) inventory since February 2022.

In addition to Operation UNIFIER, Canada’s current training mission to Ukraine, this donation builds on previous deliveries of armoured vehicles, artillery, drone cameras, winter clothing, and ongoing efforts by the Royal Canadian Air Force to transport Ukraine-bound military aid donated by Canada, Allies, and partners.

Canada remains committed to providing Ukraine with the military aid that it needs to defend itself from Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable attacks, including intensifying Russian air raids.

“This ground-based air defence system will help Ukraine protect itself against destructive air attacks. Canada support for Ukraine is steadfast and we will continue to step up and build on our contributions to Ukraine in their fight against Russia’s invasion. We thank the United States, as well as our partners in Norway, for their collaboration and ensuring the safe arrival of Canada’s donation of this NASAMS to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”

The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence

ADDITIONAL INFO

• A NASAMS is a short to medium range ground-based air defence system that protects against drone, missile, and aircraft attack, with a high success rate.

• This high-priority donation was purchased by Canada from the United States and is a new build from Raytheon in partnership with Kongsberg.

• This donation, valued at approximately $406 million, comes from the $500 million in military aid to Ukraine that Prime Minister Trudeau announced on November 14, 2022.

• Since February 2022, Canada has committed $4.5 billion in total military assistance to Ukraine. The Prime Minister announced an additional $500 million at the NATO Summit in July 2024.

• Since late March 2022, the RCAF has been transporting Ukraine-bound military aid donated by Canada, Allies, and partners. To date, the RCAF has transported over 22 million pounds of military donations.

• Currently, over 350 CAF members are supporting ongoing training missions in the United Kingdom, Poland and Latvia while facilitating the delivery of military donations to Ukraine.

• Since the launch of Operation UNIFIER, the CAF has trained more than 43,000 members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Canada extended this mission until March 2026.

https://canadiandefencereview.com/canadas-donation-of-new-air-defence-system-arrives-in-ukraine/

[Dougie93]

13 hours ago, BeaverFever said:

 we’re not a British colony anymore 

now a de facto American Protectorate in diametrical contravention of Confederation itself

resulting in a failed state without any national interest of its own

Manifest Destiny has come to pass

 

[Dougie93]

On 11/21/2024 at 2:53 PM, Army Guy said:

Not sure why Canadians do not hear the message,

it's quite simple really

in that "Canadian" has become a meaningless distinction

this truly is a Post National State

there is no national interest, only parochial interests therein

as such, American republicanism has already overthrown Canada from within

thus there is nothing left to defend in the name of Regiment, Colours,  nor Commander-in-Chief

sound the lament, Royal Canadians

[Dougie93]

14 hours ago, BeaverFever said:

   Canada is own country now

ah yes

the "White Supremacist Settler Colonial Racist Misogynist tyranny committing Genocide against the Indigenous !"

good luck with that / shrugs

[BeaverFever]

 Canada's top general takes on U.S. senator in defending womens' role in combat units

Canada's top general firmly rejected the notion of dropping women from combat roles — a position promoted by president-elect Donald Trump's nominee for defense secretary — at a security forum underway in Halifax on Saturday.

Gen. Jennie Carignan, chief of defence staff, was responding to Republican Senator James Risch's comments on Friday at the Halifax International Security Forum about Peter Hegseth's opposition to women in fighting units.
 

Asked about Hegseth's views, the Idaho senator told the roughly 300 delegates the "jury is still out" on how to deal with the "unique situations" that having women in combat creates. He added it was ultimately up to the U.S. military to decide on the issue.

Carignan took a few minutes to address the comments at the beginning of a panel on how western militaries are reacting to the challenge from China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. Her audience included a number of women in uniform.

"I wouldn't want anyone to leave this forum with this idea that women are a distraction to defence and national security," the general said.

"After 39 years of career as a combat arms officer and risking my life in many operations around the world I can't believe that in 2024 we still have to justify the contribution of women ... in the service of their country," she said to a standing ovation.

…

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/canada-s-top-general-takes-on-u-s-senator-in-defending-womens-role-in-combat-units-1.7121091

Edited November 23, 2024 by BeaverFever

[CdnFox]

2 minutes ago, BeaverFever said:

 

"After 39 years of career as a combat arms officer and risking my life in many operations around the world I can't believe that in 2024 we still have to justify the contribution of women ... in the service of their country," she said to a standing ovation.

…

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/canada-s-top-general-takes-on-u-s-senator-in-defending-womens-role-in-combat-units-1.7121091

But this is the typical leftist lie. The senator did not say that women cannot contribute meaningfully to combat or cannot serve their country. He didn't even question having women in the military. What he questioned was having them as front line combat soldiers engaged in direct physical combat where size and strength matters. Not that they can't fly planes or have other roles 

And that's not "Justifying" anything.  That's a legit concern.

[BeaverFever]

7 hours ago, Dougie93 said:

now a de facto American Protectorate in diametrical contravention of Confederation itself

resulting in a failed state without any national interest of its own

Manifest Destiny has come to pass

 

Canada isn’t a failed state or without national interests. However we still do dumb shit like have official songs that are about how great some other country is. 

[BeaverFever]

20 minutes ago, CdnFox said:

But this is the typical leftist lie. The senator did not say that women cannot contribute meaningfully to combat or cannot serve their country. He didn't even question having women in the military. What he questioned was having them as front line combat soldiers engaged in direct physical combat where size and strength matters. Not that they can't fly planes or have other roles 

And that's not "Justifying" anything.  That's a legit concern.

I don’t see that being a lie, she is saying excluding them from combat arms limits and ignores their contribution  

And it’s not a legit concern anywhere except in the regressive conservative mind.  Even in the USA women have been in combat arms for a decade now. 
 

And at any rate size and strength don’t matter as much in modern war as they once did especially artillery or armour which is where republicans troglodytes also want to ban women. Small size can actually be an advantage in many situations including armour where space is limited. Plus Women often meet or exceed men in physical endurance and pain tolerance. 
 

BTW if size and strength matter then you would just exclude any male or female who doesn’t meet the size and strength requirements rather than banning 50% of the population based on gender even if they meet the size and strength requirements.  Western armies already have recruiting challenges and shortfalls it would be moronic to ban women from the most important trades and purge the thousands already there. 

[BeaverFever]

Canada, Australia jointly pledge $474M to research hypersonic missile defense tech

The announcement was made at the start of the annual Halifax International Security Forum, Canada's premiere defense event.
 

HALIFAX, CANADA — Australia and Canada have inked a new agreement to jointly work on technology to counter the ever-growing threat of missiles, especially hypersonic weapons, Canada’s Minister of National Defence Bill Blair announced today.

“I’m very pleased to announce that Canada and Australia have today signed an agreement to work together on researching emerging missile threats,” Blair told an audience during the kickoff of the Halifax International Security Forum. “We’re going to focus on countering hypersonic weapon systems and under this new agreement… [we will be] very closely tied in all of our efforts collectively together.”

In total, the duo plan to spend up to $474 million over the next five years developing a “range of solutions,” he added. While Blair didn’t drill down into the specific capabilities on the development table, a subsequent press release noted that the Defence Research and Development Canada and the Australian Defence Science and Technology Group will work together researching the emerging missile threats, to develop detection, monitoring, targeting and counter-measure technologies.

Defense and political leaders from around the globe are gathered in Nova Scotia this weekend for the annual Halifax International Security Forum, Canada’s premiere defense event. Among the main themes: Discussing the wars in Ukraine and in the Middle East, along with potential changes to NATO as president-elect Donald Trump prepares for his return to the White House.

During Trump’s first turn in office, he publicly bashed NATO countries not meeting the 2 percent GDP defense spending goal — a mark Canada does not currently hit.

RELATED: America needs to keep pushing Canada on defense spending

Blair used his opening speech today to praise Canada’s close relationship with its neighbor to the south and vowed to eventually meet that threshold.

“We have always depended upon that relationship [with the US] with an unparalleled alliance, especially illustrated through NORAD [North American Aerospace Defense Command], which is our binational military command that keeps a vigilant eye on North American airspace,” Blair said.

“NORAD defends our countries against threats in the air domain, that’s why we are working in partnership with the United States to invest quite significantly in order modernization, we’re making a generational investment,” he later added.

Taking the stage just after Blair, two US Senators — James Risch, R-Idaho and Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire — called on Canada to get to that 2 percent spending target as quickly as possible.
 

https://breakingdefense.com/2024/11/canada-australia-jointly-pledge-474m-to-research-hypersonic-missile-defense-tech/

[Dougie93]

36 minutes ago, BeaverFever said:

Canada isn’t a failed state or without national interests. However we still do dumb shit like have official songs that are about how great some other country is. 

the vast majority of "Canadians" are already Americans by default

the so called "Canadians" living here have no particular loyalty to their Crown

they don't defend nor uphold their Confederation, they don't even follow their own constitution

they quite clearly couldn't care less about dumb shit like "Canada" anymore

quite the opposite in fact, as they all clamber for American freedom instead

thanks, Apple iPhone