Justin Trudeau hints at boosting Canada’s military spending

I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[OldSolduer]

Glass half full: I've never seen a case of salmonella resulting from British Army cooking

Deep frying in beef fat kills everything. Even the taste except for French Fries done to a light golden brown.

That's the dog's bollocks.....

 

[AmmoTech90]

I spent six months eating British rations in Afghan. 24 hr packs are pretty good. The normal line was good for brekkie on Camp. Luckily we had Gurkha units so they ran a second steam line that was the go to for me.
The bag lunches we got for lunch because we lost to much time going to lunch were pretty dire...except the steak and kidney pies. Whoever was on roto to get the bag lunches got to eat in kitchen.
Night bag suppers were the same as the lunches...

 

[Kirkhill]

An interesting day in the Telegraph today....

And I will take the liberty of posting all the disjointed factoids here on the grounds that everything is connected to everything

First off - 2% of GDP on Defence

PM: 'Entirely reasonable' for US voters to ask if all Nato nations are 'doing their bit'​

Rishi Sunak said it was “entirely reasonable” for people in the US to ask if all Nato nations are “doing their bit” on defence spending and helping Ukraine.
The Prime Minister said he believed it was “reasonable and right” that Nato countries are expected to spend two per cent of GDP on defence.
The comments, made during an interview with CNN in Washington DC just before the Prime Minister flew back to the UK last night, will be viewed as an attempt by Mr Sunak to win over some US politicians who have doubts over the scale of support being offered to Kyiv.
The Prime Minister said he had spoken to both Democrats and Republicans during his visit and he believed there was “strong support” for Ukraine.
He said: “I think there is an acknowledgement, as I said, that the values that we are fighting for are universal, they are values that America has always stood up for, which is democracy, freedom, the rule of law.
“But I think it is entirely reasonable for people to ask is everybody doing their bit? I am proud to say the UK is.
“Behind the US we are the next largest contributor to the effort to support Ukraine and more broadly when it comes to defence spending we are one of the few countries that invest two per cent of our GDP in defence, that is a Nato commitment that we have made, that we have adhered to.
“I think it is reasonable and right that we expect other countries in the Nato alliance to increase defence spending up to those levels and that is something that I speak to other leaders about as well.”

Second - Priorities

Where is the defence money to be found.... Checking in with the socialist Opposition -
The Labour Party sez - ditch the Green agenda.

Labour has backtracked on its flagship economic plan to spend £28 billion a year on new green jobs and technology in another U-turn by Sir Keir Starmer.

Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, admitted that the key environmental pledge will not be met until the party has been in power for at least two-and-a-half years.

Starmer says it’s ‘right’ to criticise Sadiq Khan’s Ulez expansion​

Labour leader praises Uxbridge candidate’s ‘sticking up’ for constituents over scheme and accuses Just Stop Oil of ‘arrogance’

Meanwhile ....

On international relations, especially US-UK, Biden-UK relations

Rishi Sunak holds talks with Italian PM​

Rishi Sunak and Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni have hailed the “growing partnership” between the two countries during talks this morning.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “The Prime Minister spoke to Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni this morning, ahead of next week’s Nato leaders’ summit.
“They welcomed the growing partnership between the UK and Italy across a range of issues. The Prime Minister is committed to working more closely with Italy to address shared challenges, from Russian aggression to illegal migration.
“The leaders discussed the importance of the Nato Alliance continuing to take coordinated action to support the long-term security of Ukraine and address the threat posed by Russia. The Prime Minister welcomed Italy’s pivotal role in supporting Ukraine’s defence and standing up for the principles of the UN Charter. They agreed to remain in close contact and looked forward to meeting in Vilnius next week.”

One example - UK, Italy and Japan

WARTON, United Kingdom — BAE Systems executives this week expressed confidence that the Global Combat Air Platform (GCAP), currently in development with Italy and Japan, will achieve its projected in-service date of 2035, with a “manned, supersonic and low observable jet” demonstrator taking flight within the next five years.

And more than that, the company leaders believe they can find an export market of “several hundred” jets globally.

GCAP fighter design to fly within 5 years, as BAE eyes potential export market - Breaking Defense

“If we deliver solutions in 2035, we’ll be the first mover and one of the first western nations outside the US to deliver sixth-generation [aircraft]," said Herman Claesen, BAE Systems’ Future Combat Air System Managing Director.

breakingdefense.com

Biden turned to Von der Leyen for top Nato role after F-16 row​

Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary, had been a front-runner to succeed Jens Stoltenberg, but failed to secure US support

Joe Biden made Ursula von der Leyen his pick for Nato secretary general after Britain announced plans to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s without his approval.

Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary, had been a front-runner to succeed Jens Stoltenberg, the transatlantic alliance’s current chief.

But Mr Wallace failed to secure the backing of the White House amid tensions over Britain’s ambitious military support for Ukraine, The Telegraph understands.

Biden turned to Von der Leyen for top Nato role after F-16 row

Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary, had been a front-runner to succeed Jens Stoltenberg, but failed to secure US support

www.telegraph.co.uk

Biden has been a bit slow on the uptake on Ukraine. Ben Wallace, working with Boris Johnson, and continuing with Sunak, has been at the forefront in Ukraine and in converting the Joint Expeditionary Force into an independently minded political entity with the UK offering separate nuclear umbrella guarantees to Sweden and Finland outside of NATO. And extending them to JEF at large. Ukraine?

Wallace was also opposed by Macron on much the same grounds.

Could GCAP find international customers? I think that Biden is making it easier for them given his Swiss-style reluctance to forward arms to Ukraine. And Rishi is making it easier by supporting Ukraine. A non-ITAR solution is likely to find some buyers. If Canada were to spend some of that 2% of GDP on British weapons that would probably please Rishi to no end as well.





Finally -

Rishi Sunak: World is 'lucky' to have Joe Biden as US President as China poses growing challenge​

Rishi Sunak said the world is “lucky” that Joe Biden is US President at a time when China poses a growing challenge.
The Prime Minister said there are “few leaders” who have as much experience as Mr Biden does in dealing with Chinese President Xi Jinping and that experience is “particularly valuable to me as someone who is newer to this”.

Hunter Biden - saviour of the world?

 

[Good2Golf]

Joe Biden made Ursula von der Leyen his pick for Nato secretary general after Britain announced plans to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s without his approval.

Looks like Chrystia Freeland isn’t the U.S. preferati anymore…

 

[rmc_wannabe]

Looks like Chrystia Freeland isn’t the U.S. preferati anymore…

View attachment 78687

Rightly so.

Freeland and Ananand both had the confidence and support to lead a caucus revolt but chose not to. Both on the Defence and Foreign Policy front, as well as with the CCP interference debacle; they chose not to.

Hard to see either as a key partner I defence when they bend to the party line when grown up decisions need to be made for the good of the free world, not votes...

 

[Retired AF Guy]

My Son mentioned that both Spain and Italy ate VERY well. Put Canadian rations to shame but he also agreed on the Mediterranean work ethic.

That is a contradiction in terms.

 

[Retired AF Guy]

Despite conquering half the world, the Brits still refused to take cooking lessons from their subjects. I ate at the BATUS mess in the 1980's for a few weeks, interesting food preparation techniques. I never knew tea could have a oil spot on it......

I was there in the late '70s and also got to eat in the Brit messes and noticed even the toast was deep-fried. Their Compo rations not much better except they had this can of sour candies that I loved!!

 

[Kirkhill]

I was there in the late '70s and also got to eat in the Brit messes and noticed even the toast was deep-fried. Their Compo rations not much better except they had this can of sour candies that I loved!!

Fry-bread is not Toast. Fry-Bread is what is on your plate under the beans and runny egg, alongside your gammon, sausage and black pudding.

Toast is that cold, hard, burnt stuff standing in a rack to ensure that it is properly chilled before scraping butter on it.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Fry-bread is not Toast. Fry-Bread is what is on your plate under the beans and runny egg, alongside your gammon, sausage and black pudding.

Toast is that cold, hard, burnt stuff standing in a rack to ensure that it is properly chilled before scraping butter on it.

Well structured to carry oversized loads of marmalade while ripping the first layer of skin from the roof of your mouth... proper Hero Work, right there

 

[Kirkhill]

Well structured to carry oversized loads of marmalade while ripping the first layer of skin from the roof of your mouth... proper Hero Work, right there

Marmalade??? Marmalade!!! Now you've done it! Don't get me started on marmalade. How on earth can you make a jar of sugar so bitter as to be unpalatable? You might as well cover those burnt sticks in Marmite....

 

[Rifleman62]

I watch different countries MRE's reviews on UTube. Lots of reviews if you are interested.

 

[Kirkhill]

Just in time for a NATO announcement?

ISV - LUV - LPV - all made in Oshawa. What's not to like?

Oshawa-made Chevy Silverado helps launch GM Defense Canada in support of Canadian military​

By Glenn Hendry
Published July 4, 2023 at 1:59 pm

General Motors is showcasing a Light Utility Vehicle (LUV) for the Canadian military based on the Oshawa-made Chevrolet Silverado, a key plank in the launch of GM Defense Canada to support efforts to upgrade the logistical abilities of the Canadian Armed Forces.

“The creation of a Canadian entity for defence underscores our commitment to Canada and our conviction that our engineering and manufacturing capacity right here in Canada can serve and help to modernize the Canadian Armed Forces,” said GM Canada President Marissa West. “We believe that GM Defense has a unique ability to offer best-in-class equipment, technology, and sustainment to support those who serve, and we are proud to do so.”

GM Defense International was established in 2022 and has now added GM Defense Canada to the portfolio, a move that will strengthen the company’s ability to “develop solutions in Canada,” such as the Light Utility Vehicle and Light Forces Enhancement programs, said GM Defense Canada President Steve duMont. “We will continue to leverage General Motors’ advanced commercial technology, engineering resources and investments in Canada that help our global defense and government customers transition to a more electric, autonomous and connected future.”

duMont said the establishment of the Canadian division was a “natural next step” in expanding GM’s global presence in the field. “We have a seamless partnership with GM Canada that will enable us to deliver highly customized solutions to meet the unique requirements of Canadian defense and government customers. We understand that the Canadian military procurement process requires significant investments in the country, and we’re confident GM’s current and future investments will help us meet our obligations in support of our Canadian customers.”

​

Working as one team alongside GM Canada, Bradley Watters, GM Defense’s new vice president of International Business Development and Pete Johnson, GM Defense’s new vice president of Integrated Vehicles Business Development, will lead military customer engagements on behalf of GM Defense in Canada and more broadly across the globe.

​

GM Defense participated at the Canadian Association of the Defence and Security Industries exhibit in Ottawa last June where it showcased commercial-based solutions to the Canadian Armed Forces. GM Defense demonstrated its LUV prototype based on the Chevrolet Silverado and two variants of the proven and already fielded Infantry Squad Vehicle, based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2.

The vehicles can be serviced and maintained through GM Canada’s network of 448 dealers and GM’s global supply chain.

GM Defense, based in Detroit, delivers integrated vehicles, power and propulsion, and mobility and autonomy solutions to global defense, security and government markets. As new international growth efforts emerge, GM Defense may incorporate additional entities in other countries.

Focus areas for the business currently remain in North America, across Europe, Indo Pacific and throughout the Middle East.

4 or 5000 of them?

 

[OldSolduer]

Just in time for a NATO announcement?

ISV - LUV - LPV - all made in Oshawa. What's not to like?



4 or 5000 of them?

SO are they electric? Given the current GoC's love of electric stuff......

 

[lenaitch]

Marmalade??? Marmalade!!! Now you've done it! Don't get me started on marmalade. How on earth can you make a jar of sugar so bitter as to be unpalatable? You might as well cover those burnt sticks in Marmite....

"They take the part of the orange that's normally thrown in the garbage and make it spreadable."

Brent Leroy, Corner Gas

 

[MilEME09]

SO are they electric? Given the current GoC's love of electric stuff......

Blue fleet they are trying to switch electric, green fleet probably not happening any time soon.

Also please no two fleet system, stop the milcot/smp split buys. Just buy one common bloody fleet

 

[YZT580]

Blue fleet they are trying to switch electric, green fleet probably not happening any time soon.

Also please no two fleet system, stop the milcot/smp split buys. Just buy one common bloody fleet

according to Reuters, we have once again pledged to spend 2% on defense. Be interesting to see what promises Trudeau makes next week at Nato and watch how he punts once again

 

[MilEME09]

according to Reuters, we have once again pledged to spend 2% on defense. Be interesting to see what promises Trudeau makes next week at Nato and watch how he punts once again

Na just clever account, they will do what some others do an add coast guard spending into the numbers, that will bump us up .3 or so

 

[GK .Dundas]

Glass half full: I've never seen a case of salmonella resulting from British Army cooking

I suspect that it wasn't from lack of trying...

 

[GR66]

according to Reuters, we have once again pledged to spend 2% on defense. Be interesting to see what promises Trudeau makes next week at Nato and watch how he punts once again

Here's a link to the Reuters report:

NATO allies to spend 'at least 2%' of GDP on defence, diplomats say

NATO allies have reached agreement to raise the alliance's target for military spending to at least 2% of national GDP, two diplomats told Reuters late on Friday.

www.reuters.com

 

[rmc_wannabe]

Here's a link to the Reuters report:

NATO allies to spend 'at least 2%' of GDP on defence, diplomats say

NATO allies have reached agreement to raise the alliance's target for military spending to at least 2% of national GDP, two diplomats told Reuters late on Friday.

www.reuters.com

I see more creative bookkeeping coming from the PM on this than anything.