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Well, the Conservative government committed to over $15 Billion in defence spending for new equipment for our troops last week, which I think members here agree is a good thing all around.

Unfortunately, most of this equipment is years away from the CF actually being able to use and deploy it. A Chinook alone takes 30 months to build, so we won't have any for at least 2 1/2 years, assuming we committed to buy them this week (the JSS aren't expected to enter service until 2014). In reality, the CF likely won't get those choppers for over 3 years, as the procurement process will take at least six months (I'll be an optimist on this one) to decide which medium/heavy chopper is the one we need.

So how do we fix this problem (as our troops need this equipment now, not in 2009)?

Fortunately for the CF, there are options. Boeing has a the CHAPS program, whereby a purchaser can lease and use older equipment (in this case the CH-47D), which would allow our troops to use this chopper by the end of the year. Lockheed has a similar program that would let us use C-130H Hercs until our C-130Js come on line in three or four years.

If Harper wants to really help our military, he'll make sure we sign up for these programs ASAP to get our troops the equipment they need now, not in three or four years. If he did, our troops could deploy Chinooks and Hercs in less than a year.

Another thing the government could do would be to buy a handful (50-100)of armored trucks for use in Afghanistan using an IOR (Immediate Operational Requirement), like they did when they purchased an additional 25 Nyala Mine resistant patrol vehicles for use in Afghanistan in May. Those vehicles will likely be deployed before the end of THIS year.

A really good view on this topic can be found here.

   

That's what I've always wondered. Why does it take so long to get this stuff? There is also the possibility that the next government declines on that deal and therefore we don't get the equipment at all and then make another 10 year deal or something like that. No wonder our military is still in the 60's.

   

Those are interesting suggestions Bootlegga. Leasing should be considered, at least as long as we have troops in the Ghan.

But I'm still totally impressed by Harper's commitments to the military. It's been a long time since we had a government that was willing to spend some real bucks. Nothing happens overnight, but we're well on our way under the Tories.

   

I'm impressed by his purchases too. It's the one part of the Tory platfrom I've always liked (and has convinced me to send my vote their way a couple of times too).

Let's just hope this government lasts long enough to get the procurement done, so that our troops will actually get the equipment instead of having it cancelled or changed on them...

   

The program started with the Liberals or do you need to be schooled again regarding military purchases? All Harper is doing is continuing the work the Liberals began.

   

So it's really the Liberals fault we don't have this nessesary gear now.
Why would you even commit troops if you didn't have the right gear.

   

Nope. The blame lies with the Canadian people themselves who viewed military cuts as a necessary yearly event and followed to the letter by the PC gov't.

The Chretein Libs changed all that once they got the deficit under control. For the last 6 or so years the military has been getting greater and greater funding increases and equipment purchases.

Harper was given the benefit of a huge surplus and increased public support for military funding increases.

   

Over 5 years and all due to a budget surplus and in reality no more then what the Libs would have done. They had already displayed a willingness to increase spending and since they sent them to Afganistan in the first place they most certainly were going to keep up the support.

You are right though that at this point it doesn't matter who gives them the money just as long as they get it.

I just won't let morons like tricycleboy ever forget just who it was who began the process of rebuilding.

   

Enough Avro? No, but a damned good start. Remember all these purchases are logicistical in nature, getting folks and supplies from point A to point B. Not a weapon system between them. There is still a requirement to look at replacing the Hornet ( F-35 or Typhoon maybe ), replacing the Iroquios class in their area air defence and command roles and with the cancelation of the Stryker program some truely moblie firepower for the army.

The CHAPs idea sounds intresting bootlegga. I have heard that we may the same route as the Aussies with reference to the C-17s. The USAF gave up its next production model so they could get going on the program. Be damned handy with getting flight and maintenace crews up to speed and getting the infrastructure in place. Even simple systems like SEOSS take time to get training in place, spare parts in the supply system and maybe most important operational experience.

   

Considering that we are already part of the F35 Joint Strike Fighter (at $150 million dollars, thank you Mr. Chretien) I'd hope we can make do with that one.
Yes, it lacks 2 engines but considering the reliability of modern engines, is that really an issue anymore?

   

Yeah, I'd love to see a squadron or two of Apaches (or any gunship) as a way to solve the mobile firepower issue. However, both the Libs and Cons seem to have their heart set on either Strykers or MBTs, so that won't happen. And we definitely need to replace the DDHs, they are apporaching 40 years in age already and we haven't even decided If we're going to replace them and with what.

As for the fighter, no matter which way we go, we won't get them until after 2015, because other countries have already placed orders for them...which is why they are undergoing a refit program. Sigh, just once I'd like to be at the front of the line...





The scuttlebutt is that Canada could receive a C-17 ASAP too, once we've 'decided' which plane we're going to buy.

   

I'd say that plan for the hornet is already pretty good, as I understand they'll be upgrading the F/18 to C/D (not the best but it'll do E/F would be better and able to stay around even after the JSFs got here) and then JSFs when the US and UK have started finishing their orders off.

Replacing the Iroquis could be done rather quickly. A canadian designed hull + off the shelf equipment. E.g. goal keeper/ram for closine airdefense, 8x harpoons, deck gun, and an AEGIS system for the radar and a PVLS system for sm-4s would be a formidable vessel

Strykers are fine though. Personally I wonder if the US would be willing to export RAH-66s.

   

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