Harper Outlines Canada's First Defence Strategy

[MarkOttawa]

It's really a "future defense funding strategy".  The conclusion of a lucid analysis from Defense Industry Daily:
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Canada-Lays-Out-Future-Defense-Plans-04894/

...In any democratic polity, politics can and does shift. This is what makes “future year” budget figures are especially suspect, since they are by definition outside the control of the present government. Personnel increases take longer to unwind, and equipment purchases cost money to unwind once commitments are made. Until commitments are made, however, Canada’s past offers ample demonstration that even harmful neglect can be continued for some time.

Canada now has a future defense funding strategy, which is a step forward. That strategy offers some realistic hope of reconstituting a basic military capability for the country. If they can keep it.

Mark
Ottawa

 

[MarkOttawa]

The Conference of Defence Associations provides a round-up of media coverage of the "Strategy"  at the start of this piece:

Afghanistan, Canada First defence strategy (15 May)
http://www.cdaforumcad.ca/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1210867001/

Mark
Ottawa

 

[Edward Campbell]

This report, reproduced under the Fair Dealing provisions (§29) of the Copyright Act from today’s Globe and Mail, is great news – IF it doesn’t get clarified tomorrow:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080515.wquestionperiod0515/BNStory/National/home
My emphasis added

Tories grilled on defence plan

BRODIE FENLON AND STEVEN CHASE

Globe and Mail Update
May 15, 2008 at 3:49 PM EDT

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has confirmed Ottawa will spend another $45-50-billion on new military equipment over the next two decades under its new “Canada First” defence strategy – over and above the military's annual operating budget.

The Conservatives were grilled in Question Period Thursday on the price tag of the new policy, which Mr. Harper had pegged at $30-billion when he and Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced it Monday at a press conference in Halifax.

But the Tories insisted Thursday the $30-billion figure referred to the Department of National Defence's operating budget as it will stand after 20 years of incremental increases.

“The $45-50-billion [figure] represents the capital investments in the military that will take place over that period,” said Mr. Harper, confirming what one of the country's top generals had told reporters Wednesday at a hastily arranged briefing to clear up the confusion.

The new strategy, which has come under criticism for being too vague, involves major procurements of planes, combat vehicles, ships and fighters, as well as a boost in the number regular and reserve troops.

“A speech is not a strategy,” said Liberal House Leader Ralph Goodale. “No one in this government has a clue what their defence policy actually is or how much it will cost.”

Senior military officers were constrained from talking openly as they tried to further flesh out the strategy at Wednesday's media briefing.

Aside from an opening statement by Lieutenant-General Walter Natynczyk, Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff, the officials were under orders not to let themselves be identified by name when answering reporters' questions.

"What's really important is the government direction, in this regard, with regard to public affairs – so I have to live within that limitation," Gen. Natynczyk said.

Officials also revealed their recruiting is falling short of a Tory campaign promise to boost troop levels by increasing the regular forces to 75,000 and the reserves to 35,000 by 2011.

Instead, they're looking to find 70,000 full-time and 30,000 part-time soldiers, one official said.

Mr. Harper's office has exerted stronger control over Department of Defence communications in recent months, particularly after the treatment of detainees captured by Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan fuelled controversy.

Although the military was unable to produce a detailed plan outlining how it will spend $50-billion on equipment, a senior adviser in Defence Minister Peter MacKay's office told reporters there is a richly detailed plan that's so far not been released for public consumption.

"There obviously is a government document which lays this thing down in detail, a cabinet document. So it's not taken out of the air," Richard Cohen said, adding some portion of it will eventually be released.

"The question is: What are we going to eventually produce in terms of a public document?"

Bloc Québécois MP Claude Bachand demanded to know why the details weren't made public.

“The government held it back because it was too specific and too controversial,” he said. “Is that not another shameful tactic by this Conservative government to fool Canadians?”

Mr. Goodale said the strategy announced Monday amounts to a 755-word “letter to the editor” that took two years to produce. “How could it take two years to produce a plan with no details and a price tag no one ... can explain?” he asked Mr. Harper Thursday.

The Prime Minister responded by accusing the Liberals of failing to support the troops.

“I expect every step along the way the Liberal Party will oppose rebuilding the Canadian military. But you know... they never hesitated to send them into dangerous combat situations. We will give them the tools they need.”

The Harper government recently set in motion spending increases for the military that will boost the Department of National Defence's annual budget to $30-billion in 2032 from nearly $18-billion today. But that increase primarily allows the budget to keep pace with inflation.

The Canada First Defence Strategy's shopping list includes many items the Tories have already talked about buying, including: 17 fixed wing search and rescue aircraft to enter service by 2015; up to 12 maritime patrol aircraft by 2020 and 65 fighters by 2017.

First: $45-50 Billion for major new capital projects is very welcome, but it is not an overwhelming number – large though it appears.

Second: the recruiting issue is bad news. It may be that the planners in DND understand that, 20 years from now, after $50 Billion worth of new hardware, a $30 Billion annual budget will only buy a total force of 100,000 adequately equipped people.

 

[MarkOttawa]

During Question Period it was clear that PM Harper meant $30 billion as the eventual annual budget and the $45-50 billion as the cumulative capitital cost until, to be frank, never-never time.

Deepak Obhrai, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, answered at least a couple of questions.  He maintained the $30 billion figure was an "operating" as opposed to an annual budget.  So then at that budgetary point the total annual budget would be somewhat larger.  Cannot the government get its responses straight?  And, sadly, the opposition are too ignorant to seize on the obvious.  Just read the scripted question whatever the government may have said.  Listening and thinking on the spot not required, nor even allowed.

As for Mr Obhrai: why replies from Foreign Affairs on pure DND questions as opposed to National Defence?  The government's answering line-up is increasingly, er, bizarre; there may be some deep political calculus that escapes me.

Mark
Ottawa

 

[MarkOttawa]

A post at The Torch:

This is the sort of defence statement...
http://toyoufromfailinghands.blogspot.com/2008/05/this-is-sort-of-defence-statement.html

...the Conservative government seems incapable of making. Excerpts from a speech by the Australian parliamentary secretary for defence procurement; I urge you to read the whole thing--and compare it with our government's pathetic efforts...Some observations follow...

Mark
Ottawa

 

[The Bread Guy]

Just spotted the speaking notes to the Defence Minister's speech on the strategy (.pdf permalink)...

Minister's Speech
The Canada First Defence Strategy
Excellence at Home and Leadership Abroad
May 12, 2008, Halifax

Please check against delivery

Prime Minister;

General Hillier, Members of the Canadian Forces;

Ladies and gentlemen.

In times of war and peace, Halifax has been -- and remains -- a linch-pin in the defence of Canada.

I believe this city’s long and storied military history makes it an ideal place to talk about our Canada First Defence Strategy.

Our Government has already made significant investments in the Canadian Forces.

In our first Budget, we allocated an additional $5.3 billion over five years to defence.

And we subsequently announced that annual increases in defence spending will grow from 1.5% to 2% starting in 2011-2012.

We have committed over $30 billion for major capital equipment projects and in service support contracts.

This includes:

    * 4 x C-17 strategic lift aircraft; a brand new capability which has given us a significantly increased ability to deploy and support our troops and at home and abroad
    * 17x C130-J tactical lift aircraft to replace our aging Hercules fleet
    * 16x CH 47-F Medium-to-heavy-lift helicopters; As a short term measure we are acquiring 6X CH 47- Ds in the next few months to support our troops in Afghanistan;
    * 100x Leopard 2 battle tanks,
    * mine protected vehicles and trucks,
    * EROC counter-IED systems;
    * 6-8x Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships to provide surveillance and control along our coasts and on the approaches to our Arctic waters; and,
    * 3x Joint Support Ships to provide supply and replenishment to our ships at sea and an important troop and equipment carrying capability.

But we need to continue building on this solid foundation.

That’s why the Government is providing the Canadian Forces with long-term, stable, predictable defence funding. Our strategy is designed to provide a solid basis for defence planning over the next 20 years. No doubt the world will change dramatically during that period but this strategy provides the Canadian Forces with a solid and balanced foundation of core capabilities to ensure they can answer the call in the face of future threats.

Under the Canada First Defence Strategy, this Government is expanding the Canadian Forces.

The Armed Forces will expand to an all up force of 100,000 including 70,000 Regulars and 30,000 in the Reserve Force over the course of the plan.

This expanded force will increase our capabilities and flexibility at home and abroad and position the Canadian Forces for further growth in the future.

We also need to equip our men and women in uniform for success.

So in addition to the capital equipment projects this Government has previously announced, we will be making more sound investments in major fleets. This will provide the Canadian Forces with:

    * new Destroyers and Frigates, to replace our aging fleet of surface combatant ships;
    * new Maritime patrol aircraft to replace our Aurora fleet;
    * New fixed-wing Search and Rescue aircraft;
    * Next-generation fighter aircraft to replace our CF-18s; and
    * A new family of land combat vehicles and systems.

This is a long-term plan, and it will evolve as we continue to assess our needs and the opportunities to make wise investments. But for the first time in modern memory the CF will be able to plan for the long-term, because this government has committed to long-term and growing funding.

Let me be clear:

    * We’re not rebuilding the Canadian Forces to face the challenges of yesterday;
    * We’re rebuilding the Canadian Forces to face the uncertainties and the challenges of the 21st Century.

The Canada First Defence Strategy will ensure that our military is well positioned to defend us at home, and protect our interests and values abroad – today and into the future.

 

[Greymatters]

This report, reproduced under the Fair Dealing provisions (§29) of the Copyright Act from today’s Globe and Mail, is great news – IF it doesn’t get clarified tomorrow:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080515.wquestionperiod0515/BNStory/National/home
My emphasis added
First: $45-50 Billion for major new capital projects is very welcome, but it is not an overwhelming number – large though it appears.

Second: the recruiting issue is bad news. It may be that the planners in DND understand that, 20 years from now, after $50 Billion worth of new hardware, a $30 Billion annual budget will only buy a total force of 100,000 adequately equipped people.

Its an improvement over the initial numbers provided.  Perhaps if we wait a few more weeks we'll see if more money gets tossed into the pot...?

 

[MarkOttawa]

Greymatters: What did not happen, it would seem, in November 2006--UAVs, fixed-wing SAR, Twotter replacement; and then that "Canada First Defence Strategy":
http://toyoufromfailinghands.blogspot.com/2006/11/more-equipment-for-canadian-forces.html

Mark
Ottawa

 

[Greymatters]

Hmmm, and like then, will it all fall to pieces...?

 

[MarkOttawa]

"Canada First Defence Strategy": New web pages--DND has a whole new bunch of web pages devoted to the, er, strategy:
http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/focus/first-premier/defstra-stradef-eng.asp

Mark
Ottawa

 

[ltmaverick25]

I just checked out that link.  Did anyone else notice the reference to a maritime commando unit?  It was in the Question and Answer section.  The answer seemed full of fluff meaning perhaps the govt is reconsidering this capability.  I didnt even realise it was on the table.  Does anyone else know anything about this?

 

[Snakedoc]

Interesting point ltmaverick25.  I understand that there was a working document on a martime commando unit and I've seen it myself on the DIN but my understanding was that this idea was essentially put on 'hold' due to funding priority issues.  Perhaps this is another capability the gov't has put back on the horizon for the long term?

Edit: I notice now that the mention of the martime commando unit was just in the form of a question on the site (along with the reinstatement of the airborne regiment) and not anything the gov't has specifically stated it was looking into.

 

[Journeyman]

and not anything the gov't has specifically stated it was looking into.

Exactly. Put away your light sabres.

 

[ltmaverick25]

The point being is that they must have made mention somewhere that they intended to create a maritime commando unit and then decided not to, or to put it on hold, which would explain why they would offer a FAQ on that issue.

I had never heard of the concept before, and was curious if anyone else had.

 

[MarkOttawa]

ltmaverick25: During the 2005/2006 election campaign the Conservatives promised to station "rapid reaction battalions" at a number of CF bases, including Comox:

Stupid Conservative defence promises
http://toyoufromfailinghands.blogspot.com/2006/08/stupid-conservative-defence-promises.html

This then apparently morphed into a plan, presumably the CF response to the promise, to place a JTF 2 marine commando unit at Comox:

Campaign promises and JTF 2
http://toyoufromfailinghands.blogspot.com/2007/01/campaign-promises-and-jtf-2.html

That idea seems now to have been quietly dropped; instead a supply depot for JTF 2 is to be set up at Esquimalt:

JTF 2 West Coast base to be set up 
http://toyoufromfailinghands.blogspot.com/2009/01/jtf-2-west-coast-base-to-be-set-up.html

...
A 2006 plan by the Defence Department to create a maritime special forces group was shelved because of a lack of money and naval personnel. At the time, CFB Comox, on Vancouver Island, was being considered as the home for the new unit...

Mark
Ottawa

 

[Snakedoc]

More info in this thread on the Maritime Commando Regiment:

http://forums.navy.ca/forums/threads/79495.0.html

 

[George Wallace]

There are quite a few, probably more legitimate, documents sitting in IN baskets awaiting Ministerial Signatures.  It may be some time before any movement is seen towards a Maritime Commando Unit other that what is already provided by the Navy, CSOR and JTF2.

 

[MarkOttawa]

"Canada First Defence Strategy" on web now at:
http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/focus/first-premier/index-eng.asp

Mark
Ottawa

 

[MarkOttawa]

"THE CANADA FIRST DEFENCE STRATEGY – ONE YEAR LATER"
http://toyoufromfailinghands.blogspot.com/2009/12/canada-first-defence-strategy-one-year.html

We at The Torch were distinctly unenthused by the "Strategy": see the posts here and here and follow the links.

Now there is a paper by Lieutenant-General (Ret’d) George Macdonald, fellow of the Canadian Defence and Foreign Affairs Institute, and former Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. Read between the lines of the "Executive Summary" for the unappetizing reality...

Mark
Ottawa

 

[McG]

Looks like we will be seeing an updated Canada First Defence Strategy soon.

Tories trim plans for defence spending
Redrafted wish list meets austerity reality
The Canadian Press
Published in the Toronto Star
04 Jun 2012

The Conservative government is redrafting its extensive, multibillion-dollar shopping list of equipment for the Canadian military in an exercise many observers believe will set more sober expectations in a time of austerity.

The revision to the Canada First Defence Strategy is slated to be complete and ready for public consumption by fall, multiple sources have told The Canadian Press.

Although Defence Minister Peter MacKay describes the hallmark plan as a "living document," the reset comes at a time when the government has been hammered politically over the F-35 stealth fighter, an issue that tarnished the fiscally responsible image the Conservatives try to project.

Defence sources say there is an expectation that the promises made in the original 2008 document will be mostly kept, but whether the government will be buying in the quantities outlined at the height of the Afghan war when the federal treasury was flush, is another matter.

"We have to do this reset and it would have happened regardless of the recession, regardless of the fiscal realities," MacKay insisted.

But the political thinking, according to some defence insiders, is that a redrafted wish list will take some of the bite out of opposition attacks and restore public confidence.

When it was announced with much fanfare, the $490 billion, 20-year defence policy was hailed as the prescription for a Canadian military which the Conservatives say was starved for cash.

But delivering on that long laundry list of ships, tanks and planes has turned into an excruciating experience.

Aside from the politically charged stealth fighter program, which has been harshly criticized by the auditor general, there are a host of planes and ships that have yet to leave the drawing board, including fixed-wing search aircraft and navy supply tankers.