CASR

Canadian
American
Strategic
Review

Canada First  Defence Strategy – Government/DND Document – 18 June 2008 Government of Canada  /  Department of  National Defence News Release  –  CANADA   FIRST   DEFENCE   STRATEGY Executive  Summary The Canada First Defence Strategy provides a detailed road map for the moderniza- tion of the Canadian Forces, building on the Government’s investments in the military since taking office in 2006. It will produce a first-class, modern military that is well- trained, well-equipped, and ready to take on the challenges of the 21st century. This Strategy is based on the Government’s vision for defence as well as an extensive and rigorous analysis of the risks and threats facing Canada and Canadians in the years to come. Starting from the Government’s clearly defined roles and level of ambition for the Canadian Forces, the Strategy identifies the military capabilities required to meet these objectives, which in turn determine where investments are most needed. This Strategy also takes into account valuable lessons drawn from recent experience at home and around the globe. Through stable and predictable defence funding, the Canada First Defence Strategy provides the planning certainty required to allow the Government to continue rebuild- ing the Canadian Forces into the state-of-the-art military that Canada needs and de- serves. It also presents unprecedented opportunities for Canadian industry in its reach for global excellence. A Modern Military with Clearly Defined Missions and Capabilities The Government has established a level of ambition for the Canadian Forces that will enable them to meet the country’s defence needs, enhance the safety and security of Canadians and support the Government’s foreign policy and national security object- ives. To fulfill these commitments, the Canadian Forces must be able to deliver excell- ence at home, be a strong and reliable partner in the defence of North America, and project leadership abroad by making meaningful contributions to international security. The military will deliver on this level of ambition by maintaining its ability to conduct six  (6)  core  missions  within  Canada,  in  North  America,  and  globally,  at  times simultaneously. Specifically, the Forces will have the capacity to:      •  Conduct daily domestic and continental operations,  including in the Arctic         and through NORAD      •  Support a major international event in Canada,  such as the 2010 Olympics      •  Respond to a major terrorist attack      •  Support civilian authorities during a crisis in Canada such as a natural disaster      •  Lead and/or conduct a major international operation for an extended period      •  Deploy forces in response to crises elsewhere in the world for shorter periods To carry out these missions, the Canadian Forces will need to be a fully integrated, flexible, multi-role, and combat-capable military,  working in partnership with the know- ledgeable and responsive civilian personnel of the Department of  National Defence. This integrated Defence team will constitute a core element of a whole-of-government approach to meeting security requirements, both domestically and internationally. A Military with Stable,  Predictable Funding The Canada First Defence Strategy is supported by a strategic investment plan based on a commitment to provide predictable funding increases over a 20-year period. Building on Budget 2006, which increased defence baseline funding by $5.3 billion over 5 years, the Government has committed through Budget 2008 to raise the annual increase in defence funding to 2 percent from the current 1.5 percent starting in fiscal year 2011–12. Over the next 20 years, these increases will expand National Defence’s annual budget from approximately $18 billion in 2008-09, to over $30 billion in 2027–28. In total, the Government plans to invest close to $490 billion in defence over this period. Most importantly, the infusion of reliable funding will provide the certainty required to conduct long-term planning and meet future requirements. A Military with the Right Equipment and Training Significant progress towards these objectives has been achieved through a number of key initiatives, including funded increases in the Regular Forces and the procurement of urgently needed equipment. In addition to the acquisition of four C-17 Globemaster strategic lift aircraft already in service, the Government is procuring  17 new C-130J Hercules tactical lift aircraft and has announced plans to acquire 16 CH-47F Chinook helicopters,  three replenishment ships,  2,300 trucks,  up to 100  Leopard 2 tanks and 6–8 Arctic/offshore patrol ships. The Government will continue to enhance the capacity of the Forces through balanced investments across the four pillars that form the foundation of military capabilities. Specifically,  National  Defence will:      •  Increase the number of military personnel to 70,000 Regular Forces and         30,000 Reserve Forces      •  Replace the Forces'core equipment fleets, including:                     •  15 ships to replace existing destroyers and frigates                     •  10 to 12 maritime patrol aircraft                     •  17 fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft                     •  65 next-generation fighter aircraft                     •  a fleet of land combat vehicles and systems      •  Strengthen the overall state of the Forces'readiness to deploy,         and their ability to sustain operations once deployed      •  Improve and modernize defence infrastructure. A Military in Partnership with Canadian Industry The Canada First Defence Strategy will also have significant benefits for Canadian industry. The infusion of long-term stable funding it provides will enable industry to reach for global excellence and to be better positioned to compete for defence contracts at home and abroad, thus enabling a pro-active investment in research and development and opportunities for domestic and international spin-offs as well as potential commercial applications. Moving Forward The Canada First Defence Strategy will enable the Forces to meet the Government’s commitments and address the full range of defence and security challenges facing Canada now and into the future. This strengthened military will translate into en- hanced security for Canadians at home as well as a stronger voice for Canada on the world stage. Recognizing that global security challenges and the capabilities required to meet them will continue to evolve, the Government is committed to reviewing this comprehensive plan on a regular basis to ensure that it continues to fully meet the needs of the military in service of Canadians. >   Part 2  —  Canada First  Defence Strategy  –  Intro  &  Strategic Environment