Canada and the World

[kEiThZ]

I love the idea. Taxpayer subsidies supporting adversarial stances is simply sheer idiocy. Why is that even done at all?

Aid has always been a part of foreign policy. But as some NGOs and governments have forgotten that, others have taken advantage. While Trump's cuts to US AID are crazy, at least some of the animus behind that came from the Americans pouring in all kinds of aid into places like Africa and watching these countries then become Chinese economic colonies. And the Chinese have never done even a small fraction of what the Americans did.

Aid policies have to adjust to this new world. You want Chinese state companies and Russian mercernaries? When disaster comes I don't think Western democracies should feel an obligation to help. You can ask the Chinese and Russians for aid.

 

[a2z]

Yes, you're probably getting rinsed by some or many of those governments and NGOs, but you do hope that they are able to install just enough stability in their respective nations to delay their issues from becoming more costly ones for us..... (the refugees aren't going to take the long road to Russia or China, and few nations in the world are insulated by renaissances of extremism)

Unless you think China will indeed step up when those nations need it.... they seem to be doing so in Myanmar. I'm not sure if they have the economic incentives to do the same in Africa though, but if the conflicts in DR Congo & Sudan tell us something... there probably is some relatively rich country that will be happy to profit from war crimes long as there's a business opportunity.

(Can one consider foreign aid the "tip" necessary for businesses like Barrick Gold to operate more smoothly in certain jurisdictions too )

 

[kEiThZ]

It's rare that our generals give interviews. This is a genuinely good one to read.

Canadian NORAD Commander On What It Will Take To Defend The High North

Maj. Gen. McKenna offers exclusive insights into the growing threats to the Arctic from China and Russia, and what NORAD is doing about it.

www.twz.com

And this one.

Canadian NORAD Commander's View On Future F-35 Fighter Force

Maj. Gen. Chris McKenna offers exclusive insights into what opportunities and challenges the F-35A will bring to his commands.

www.twz.com

Third interview.

Canadian NORAD Commander Explains Urgent Need For Better Sensing

Maj. Gen. Chris McKenna offers exclusive insights on the need for new satellites, airborne radar jets, and the drone threat.

www.twz.com

 

[kEiThZ]

Skip the clickbait headline. Read the article.

https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2026/01/07/canadas-armed-forces-are-planning-for-threats-from-america

 

[Admiral Beez]

If we genuinely want nuclear submarines, we could consider a split fleet for 2040 and beyond.

Looks like we’re considering a split fleet of conventional submarines.

Ottawa weighs splitting submarine contract between Europe and South Korea, sources say

Final proposals were received on Monday and the government is set to make procurement decision by April 4 at earliest

www.theglobeandmail.com

This seems like a ridiculous move that will require dual training and maintenance programs. For the new destroyers (frigates) did we consider a divided fleet of British Type 26 and something else? No.

 

[kEiThZ]

This seems like a ridiculous move that will require dual training and maintenance programs. For the new destroyers (frigates) did we consider a divided fleet of British Type 26 and something else? No.

If we're doing it for the fighters.....

 

[Admiral Beez]

If we're doing it for the fighters.....

That coming boondoggle might help us see sense on splitting the submarine purchase. It looks like the AUKUS nuclear boat project may go teats up, so maybe the RAN can join us on the buy. I am surprised that the Carney government is waiting until June or later before announcing a decision. That's another 1/4 year blown on studies.

We should buy all the subs from one country, and then to mend any feelings, buy something else from the rejected suitor. For example, both Korea and Germany make excellent options for replacing our thirty year old Leopard 2 tanks. And we clearly need a massive jump on drone and anti-drone warfare - both areas where the Koreans and Germans have advanced.

 

[afransen]

Looks like we’re considering a split fleet of conventional submarines.

Ottawa weighs splitting submarine contract between Europe and South Korea, sources say

Final proposals were received on Monday and the government is set to make procurement decision by April 4 at earliest

www.theglobeandmail.com

This seems like a ridiculous move that will require dual training and maintenance programs. For the new destroyers (frigates) did we consider a divided fleet of British Type 26 and something else? No.

Splitting the sub order in 2 seems quite unwise. Korea might be complicating matters by offering more substantial industrial benefits and an earlier delivery timeline, but to me it seems like we should go with TK. Perhaps Korea can supply new tanks and artillery systems.

 

[afransen]

If we're doing it for the fighters.....

I'm curious as the reasoning for this. Carney seems pretty clear eyed about most things, and it seems like the Grippen is not a very good solution for Canada and comes will limited industrial benefits. Better to negotiate participation in one the international 6th gen programs where we can be a real partner and not just a branch plant assembling parts made in Sweden.

 

[Admiral Beez]

I'm curious as the reasoning for this. Carney seems pretty clear eyed about most things, and it seems like the Grippen is not a very good solution for Canada and comes will limited industrial benefits. Better to negotiate participation in one the international 6th gen programs where we can be a real partner and not just a branch plant assembling parts made in Sweden.

Honestly I think Carney's conflicted, in that the Koreans (?) and Americans offer the best options for the submarines and fighters, but he does not want to demonstrate that Canada is not onside with Europe by declining the Swedes and Germans. Especially after Canada just joined the European Union's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative, a major defence procurement pact designed to boost European defence capabilities and reduce reliance on US technology. If we're not going to buy European fighters and submarines, they might ask why we joined the SAFE pact at all.

 

[afransen]

Is the Hanwha really better? Seems the 212CD is better for patrolling Canadian waters, if that is the priority. I see now that Hanwha plans to build the subs in Canada, I thought they would only be maintained here. That is probably influencing the decision.

As far as SAFE goes, there are lots of other systems Canada could buy from Europe. 6th gen fighter programs would both be partnerships with European allies.