New rifles on the way for Canada’s soldiers as defence spending ramps up

A program intended to replace the entire stock of the Canadian military’s aging assault rifles is being sped up, CBC News has learned.

An internal Department of National Defence presentation references a move to quickly order the first tranche of weapons under the Canadian Modular Assault Rifle program.

The commander of the Canadian Army, Lt.-Gen. Mike Wright, confirmed in an interview with CBC News that the program, which has languished on the books for years, will now proceed with speedy delivery expected from a Canadian manufacturer.

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Festung Ottawa: DND scrambles to figure out how to mobilize and equip a citizens’ army

The Department of National Defence is scrambling to figure out how it will clothe, equip and train hundreds of thousands of new reservists envisioned under an ambitious mobilization proposal that Canada’s top military commander describes as a work in progress.

Similarly, in what may be an ominous sign of the times, the department has established a key position dedicated solely to growing the military in the event of a major crisis.

Internal documents obtained by CBC News show the military buildup will, at the moment, proceed slowly because the defence industry is either overwhelmed — or not equipped for the ramp-up.


I suspect the real reason for Ottawa arming it’s loyal Elbow People is the anticipated need to put down a citizen revolt.

People are fed up with seeing Canada destroyed by 3rd World immigration and DEI never mind the blatant corruption of the carpet-bagging Carney government.

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Canadians say selecting the best fighter jet for the job matters more than jobs: Nanos

As the Canadian government reviews its commitment to purchase American-made Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets, a new poll shows what Canadians think should be prioritized in procuring replacements to the aging CF-18s.

The CTV News and Nanos Research survey gauged Canadian’s views on what matters the most to them in terms of defence cooperation, in light of ongoing trade tensions with the U.S. and a pitch from Swedish manufacturer of the Gripen fighter jet, SAAB, to bring up to 10,000 manufacturing and research jobs to Canada if Ottawa adds the aircraft to its military fleet.

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Critics question Saab’s offer to bring 10,000 aerospace jobs to Canada

OTTAWA – Critics are questioning the solidity of Saab’s pitch to deliver 10,000 jobs in Canada if it decides to set up shop here to assemble Gripen fighter jets.

The Swedish company has said little about how it came to that number, making it hard to evaluate the offer.

Saab spokesperson Jenny Gerdes said the estimate reflects the “scale of work” the company anticipates bringing to the country, “should the Gripen be selected.”

“The figure is based on projected global demand for Gripen and the corresponding production, sustainment and R&D activities Canada would undertake,” Gerdes said in an email.


Lots of If’s.

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Leak of F-35 scoring chart puts pressure on Carney to select U.S. aircraft

The public relations war between supporters of the F-35 and Gripen has taken another twist as an internal Department of National Defence document comparing the two fighter jets has been leaked.

Canada’s fighter jet debate continues with still no decision from Prime Minister Mark Carney on which aircraft his government will purchase. The choice comes down to the U.S.-built F-35 versus the Swedish Gripen fighter aircraft. Some analysts are also proposing a combination fleet of both jets to meet the Canadian military’s needs.

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Concerns raised that another Canadian Army project is being tailored just for U.S. equipment

A new Canadian Army equipment program that could be worth almost $500 million is designed to select only U.S.-provided equipment, despite claims by Prime Minister Mark Carney the military will be reducing purchases of American systems.

The Joint Fires Modernization program will cost between $250 million and $499 million and see the acquisition of hardware and software to enable the Canadian Army to digitally share data and targeting information between its various units and coalition forces.

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Why Canada risks Trump’s ire if it chooses Gripen gamesmanship over F-35 stealth

Canada Recycles to save on military expenditures – The Sherman Air Superiority Ground Attack Tank Thingy

WASHINGTON, D.C. — It’s a high-flying tale of carrots, sticks and political flip-flops.

American leaders have been urging Canada to boost its military spending and NATO contributions since the alliance’s founding, back in 1949. Some, like former U.S. president Barack Obama, have been polite about it, encouraging Ottawa that “the world needs more Canada,” while others, especially U.S. President Donald Trump, have been more blunt, referring to Canadians as “freeloaders” who are “delinquent” on military contributions.

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SLOBODIAN: Is Canada secretly preparing for World War III? Inside the ‘three-to-five-year’ war warnings, shocking the military

Top military officers are warning serving members that Canada must prepare for a major world war within the next “three to five years.”

“Command is saying ‘get ready, brace yourselves.’ They said the next chapter is about to begin and it’s going to be like nothing we’ve seen before,” said one source who attended a recent assembly.

Kinetic warfare. Imminent mobilization.

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Canada at the defence crossroads: The challenges of thinking long-term

Canada’s Air Superiority Fighter Sub

Witnessing the ongoing public debate about fighter jets and submarines this fall has felt a lot like watching people argue over baseball, hockey or some other team sport.

Naturally, it has been particularly uncompromising online where the characteristics and quirks of each aircraft and boat have been analyzed to the nth degree with the kind of fan worship usually reserved for pro franchises.

Those who love the F-35, love it a lot. The same can be said for the Gripen. The mania is dialled back somewhat in the debate over whether to choose the South Korean KS-III submarine or Germany’s Type 12CD, but it’s still present.

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F-35 beat Gripen fighter jet ‘by a mile’ in 2021 Defence Department competition

The competition focused on each fighter jet’s capabilities in defending the North American continent and the likelihood of success in various missions against modern military forces.

The F-35 got a score of 95 per cent on military capabilities, with a total of 57.1 points out of 60.

By contrast, the Gripen-E finished with a score of 33 per cent, netting 19.8 points out of 60, according to the Department of National Defence (DND) ranking obtained by Radio-Canada.


Elbow People hardest hit.

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Troops quitting as housing, health-care shortages push Armed Forces deeper into crisis

A growing number of volunteers are walking away from the Canadian Armed Forces as crushing housing shortages, soaring costs and a lack of basic health care make military life untenable, according to a newly released internal report that paints a bleak picture of life in uniform.

Blacklock’s Reporter says the Evaluation Of Canadian Armed Forces Retention found more than 10% of CAF members were relocated in 2024, often into communities where housing was scarce and unaffordable.

(Incognito)

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The future fighter debate

OTTAWA—For the senior brass at the Royal Canadian Air Force, there is no question whatsoever that they want the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning as the replacement for their aging fleet of CF-18 Hornet fighter planes.

They have wanted the F-35, and only the F-35, since this fifth-generation stealth strike fighter was first on the drawing board in 1997.

In 2010, Stephen Harper’s Conservative government announced a sole-source deal to purchase 65 F-35s for the Air Force at a cost of $9-billion for the aircraft, and a total program cost of $16-billion. However, as the F-35 experienced technical teething trouble, and the costs soared, Harper pushed the reset button on the entire controversial procurement.


Not sure Elbows Up TDS is the best mindset when evaluating fighter jets.

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GOP lawmaker complains Canada’s defense spending still falls short in the long run

HALIFAX — Republican lawmaker Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina says it’s all good and well that Canada is finally meeting its NATO defense spending commitments, but Canada should make up for two decades of back dues — to the tune of $300 billion.

“Can we do a makeup payment for the 20 years of shortfalls as well?” Tillis told a Saturday panel at the Halifax International Security Forum, a international gathering of defense officials and security professionals.


The only money spent will be used to fortify Festung Ottawa against anticipated popular uprisings.

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Mark Carney has a decision to make that will cost billions. Worse, he has no good options, and time is running out

Canada‘s existing fleet of fighter jets is overdue for replacement. The CF-18s have been operating continuously since the early 1980s, longer than most of their pilots have been alive. The basic existing design of the fighter is even older than that.

They should have been replaced long ago. This was supposedly a priority for the Harper government. In theory, it was a priority for the Trudeau government, too. Now it’s a problem for the Carney government.

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Canada’s instructions to submarine contract bidders highlight ability to float, submerge at least once

Canada’s instructions to submarine contract bidders highlight sustainment, economic benefits

Canada has formally issued firm bidding instructions to the two companies vying to build the navy’s new submarines, CBC News has learned.

The document went out to ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) of Germany and Hanwha Ocean Co. Ltd. of South Korea last week.

James Rourke, an official in the newly established federal Defence Investment Agency, acknowledged the document, which specifically outlines the federal government’s expectations and how the decision will be weighted, was delivered to both qualified bidders.


If they go with the South Korea bid it’s got to include BBQ, and the German bid, lots of strudel and beer.

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