Scott Taylor examines Canada’s defence procurement challenges amid pressure from US President Donald Trump to boost spending. While Prime Minister Mark Carney seeks diversification, the military remains committed to US systems like the F-35 Lightning II. Meanwhile, urgent army requirements in Latvia face delays, exposing procurement gaps and strategic contradictions.

As defence spending rises, Canada faces urgent equipment renewal across all services. The RCAF’s 40-year-old fighters, struggling Victoria-class submarines, and the Army’s aging BV 206 Arctic vehicles highlight capability gaps. The proposed $500M–$1B DAME project aims to restore Arctic mobility—if procurement delays and cost overruns don’t derail it again.

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s call for middle powers to stand up to bullies has collided with U.S. threats over Canada’s F-35 purchase. With Washington linking fighter jets to NORAD and sovereignty, Canada faces a defining choice: submit to pressure or pivot toward alternatives that strengthen domestic industry and independence.

One year into Donald Trump’s second term, joking talk of annexing Canada has hardened into trade war threats, defence pressure, and public rebukes. Despite symbolic spending boosts, Canada remains under-defended, below NATO targets, and increasingly exposed — to the point where military leaders are now war-gaming the once-unthinkable: a U.S. invasion.

Canada plans an $18 billion investment to acquire four new helicopter fleets—special operations, attack, reconnaissance, and medium lift—reviving a balanced rotary-wing force to support the Army. The move addresses long-standing capability gaps, but deliveries are slow, with first aircraft expected from 2033 to 2038.

A sudden U.S. military operation in Venezuela captured President Nicolás Maduro, raising praise for tactical execution but serious questions about legality and precedent. The intervention has emboldened Washington, intensified fears of unchecked U.S. power, and renewed concerns over potential future actions in Latin America and Greenland.

Vice Admiral Angus Topshee has revived discussion of a Canadian-built, ice-capable amphibious support ship for the Royal Canadian Navy. Though still conceptual, the idea echoes past missed opportunities, including Canada’s decision not to acquire French Mistral-class ships, a choice that delayed development of amphibious and combined-arms capabilities.

CBC reports that Canada’s Army is accelerating plans to replace its aging C-7 and C-8 rifles under the Canadian Modular Assault Rifle program. Spurred by increased defence spending, the project could expand significantly, support domestic manufacturing, and underpin broader mobilization plans aimed at rebuilding Canada’s military capacity.

Canada’s latest $200M contribution to Ukraine, part of NATO’s PURL initiative, will fund U.S.-sourced air defence systems and ammunition. Despite calls to reduce reliance on American weaponry, Canada continues directing defence dollars to U.S. firms. The article argues Canada should shift toward domestic production, including building Swedish Gripen jets in Canada.

Debate over Canada’s fighter jet purchase has intensified as politics, tariffs, and defence priorities collide. While the RCAF insists on the F-35, Sweden’s Gripen offer—complete with Canadian assembly and major job creation—has gained public traction. As diplomatic pressure mounts, Canada weighs reliability, cost, and sovereignty in its final decision.

Canada’s long-running fighter replacement debate has intensified as PM Mark Carney questions reliance on U.S. defence technology and orders a review of the F-35 purchase. With SAAB pushing its Gripen—offering lower costs, high readiness, and Canadian assembly jobs—the decision now balances capability, sovereignty, industry, and shifting geopolitics.

A leaked Defence Mobilization Plan has triggered controversy after revealing aims to expand Canada’s reserves to 400,000 personnel, including 300,000 minimally trained supplementary reservists drawn largely from public servants. Critics accuse senior CAF leadership of poor judgment, deflection, and repeating past mistakes, raising concerns about readiness, credibility, and national defence priorities.

A new mobilization plan proposes expanding Canada’s military reserves to 400,000 despite current recruitment struggles and a 14,500-personnel shortfall. With outdated infrastructure, a dwindling supplementary reserve, and ongoing housing shortages, experts question how such a massive expansion could be achieved. Many argue the CAF must first improve conditions for existing members.

Last Thursday, the Canadian Armed Forces formally apologized for decades of racial discrimination and harassment. The unprecedented ceremony, led by Gen. Jennie Carignan and CWO Bob McCann, featured emotional reflections from racialized veterans and community leaders. The event marked a significant step toward healing, accountability, and cultural transformation within the CAF.

DEFSEC 2025 in Halifax saw record attendance amid Canada’s urgent defence procurement needs and new policy shifts, including a Defence Investment Agency and accelerated submarine competition timelines. Yet, discussions were overshadowed by Trump and Hegseth’s alarming address to U.S. generals, signalling potential internal conflict that could profoundly impact Canada’s security future.

Prime Minister Mark Carney recently pledged Canada's commitment to a two-state solution in the Middle East, including deploying Canadian troops to enforce peace. However, Canada's military is already stretched thin with understrength forces and limited resources, raising concerns over the feasibility of deploying troops to both Ukraine and Gaza.

Canada’s military faces a readiness crisis, with nearly half its equipment unserviceable and critical shortages in personnel and spare parts. Major-General Robert Ritchie admitted the Army lacks vehicles to train at home, forcing pre-deployment exercises for NATO in Latvia. Leadership continues to downplay issues, despite growing operational risks.

Canada’s defence spending has long lagged behind NATO’s 2% GDP target. PM Mark Carney pledged to meet it this year through new funding and restructuring, including moving the Coast Guard under National Defence. But with NATO raising its benchmark to 5% by 2035, Canada faces tough capability and procurement choices.

China staged its largest-ever military parade in Tiananmen Square, showcasing modern weapons and hosting leaders like Putin and Kim Jong-Un. While spectacles project power, history shows parades don’t equal combat effectiveness. Canada’s own NATO forces in Latvia also suffer from readiness issues, raising concerns about true military capability behind the showmanship.

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s European tour raised concerns after hinting Canadian troops could join a post-ceasefire deterrence force in Ukraine. With Canada’s army already overstretched in Latvia, aging equipment, and readiness issues, experts warn deploying to Ukraine without major re-equipping and mobilization risks leaving Canadian soldiers dangerously underprepared.