
Defending the North is mostly about knowing what’s happening up there. Therefore, modern and improved radar and satellite imaging+communication relay are at the basis of a modern defence strategy. Realistically if Russia spend money flying planes above our Northern territory we don’t always need to “answer” within minutes because there is mostly nothing to defend there and a particularly harsh environment. 95 % of the defence of the Canadian North will be done by the weather itself. Of course we need to be able to get there eventually in a few days-week not necessary within minutes-hours. Our logistics to move in our own North need to be better than any adversaries this is the next step after information.
Good job Carney! I was expecting a French submarine purchase but this will do. And, what do I know, maybe French or English hardware will be announced after our soon to be election or need a bit more negotiations?
This is an hum… interesting read… While i agree that asking questions on the price tag and return on our investment is always a good idea, this is not it. Also a civilian probably won’t understand the different aspect of the price tag : upgrading our infrastructure and capability to services such boat, specialized design… The last few months-years are showing us that peaceful negotiating has its limits when our neighbours have the ability to abuse our sovereignty. Don’t make it easy on them. Ask Ukraine how it feels. Do you trust Trump or his successor not to extort the ressources he need in the Canadian North if he’s not just taking it altogether? I would love a world where we don’t spend any money on the military and use those resources on social development instead but in the real world the North is our and we need to have the best (military) logistics to move around our own sea.