Re: NATO

by **Rockarm** Mon 16 Jul 2018, 10:00 am

Justin Trudeau is supporting Donald Trump’s military agenda

By THOMAS WALKOM - National Affairs Columnist
Mon., July 16, 2018

https://www.thestar.com/opinion/star-columnists/2018/07/16/justin-trudeau-is-supporting-donald-trumps-military-agenda.html

by Silveray Wed 25 Jul 2018, 8:51 am

Harjit S. Sajjan: This government is showing NATO that Canada can be counted on

July 25, 2018

After a decade of cuts under the Harper administration with more than $10 billion slashed from military spending, Canada’s support for NATO is now assured

Five years ago, the year 2013 marked a low-point for Canada and NATO. According to NATO reports, the Conservatives had cut Canadian military spending to an all-time low, below one per cent of GDP. To add insult to injury, then-prime minister Stephen Harper went a step further and withdrew Canada from NATO’s Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) and Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) programs. Canadians and Europeans alike began to question whether Canada truly believed in the transatlantic military alliance.

Fast forward to 2016 when we unveiled Canada’s new defence policy — Strong, Secure, Engaged — reflecting our government’s commitment to build strong international relationships with a once-in-a generation investment in our military. Through our policy, Canada is increasing annual defence spending to $32.7 billion — a rise of more than 70 per cent over the next 10 years. What’s more, strategic new investments in equipment will account for more than 30 per cent of our total defence spending by 2024-25, which well surpasses the NATO target of 20 per cent.

Our government’s historic investments in the women and men of the Canadian military are a clear demonstration that we deem NATO to be not only a pillar of the rules-based international order, but a cornerstone of Canada’s support for international security.

But Canada’s commitment to NATO is about much more than just dollars. Ahead of the recent summit of NATO leaders, Prime Minister Trudeau extended Canada’s contribution to NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) through Operation REASSURANCE for another four years. Canada will continue to lead NATO’s eFP Battle Group Latvia and will also increase the number of Canadian Forces members deployed to Latvia from 455 to 540.

The following day, at the NATO summit itself, the prime minister continued to reaffirm the importance of the alliance by announcing Canada will assume Command of a new NATO training mission in Iraq to counter improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

We are already contributing training teams to NATO’s efforts. This initiative builds on that. As a battle-tested nation, Canada has particular skill in teaching this capability. Leadership of a “Train the trainers” mission, as such missions are sometimes called, is a natural step for us.

I am also proud to say that Canada has righted a wrong and rejoined NATO’s Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) program that provides the alliance with crucial aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. The decision by the Conservatives to pull out of this important program was rightly condemned by our allies.

Since NATO’s creation in 1949, Canada has always answered the call to protect international peace and security as part of the alliance. Canada is not only a founding member but has contributed to every NATO mission since its founding.

After a decade of cuts under the Harper Conservatives, with more than $10 billion slashed from military spending, Canada’s support for NATO is now assured. Our government’s historic investments in the women and men of the Canadian military are a clear demonstration that we deem NATO to be not only a pillar of the rules-based international order, but a cornerstone of Canada’s support for international security.

National Post

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan is minister of National Defence.

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/harjit-s-sajjan-this-government-is-shown-nato-that-canada-can-be-counted-on

by Magnum Thu 16 Aug 2018, 3:40 pm

DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN - August 16, 2018

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/five-cf-18s-135-personnel-being-sent-to-romania-to-support-nato-mission

by Magnum Thu 16 Aug 2018, 3:51 pm

Canadian Armed Forces sending CF-188 Hornets for air policing in Romania

Posted on August 16, 2018; Canadian Armed Forces Press Release

NATO - Page 3 CF-188-Hornet-smaller-1024x695

https://www.skiesmag.com/press-releases/canadian-armed-forces-sending-cf-188-hornets-for-air-policing-in-romania/

by Victor Wed 22 Aug 2018, 2:34 pm

Canada to support Nato enhanced air policing mission in Romania

22 AUGUST 2018

NATO - Page 3 CF-188-Hornet-aircraft_Nato_AF-1_edit

https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/canadian-nato-air-policing-mission-romania/

by **Alpha** Wed 22 Aug 2018, 7:16 pm

Donald Trump is right to criticize Canada's military spending

Aug 22, 2018

https://www.waterloochronicle.ca/opinion-story/8854268-donald-trump-is-right-to-criticize-canada-s-military-spending/

by Spectrum Thu 30 Aug 2018, 9:57 am

RAF Hand Over NATO Air Policing Duties To Canada

Aug 30, 2018

https://www.forces.net/news/raf-hand-over-nato-air-policing-duties-canada

by **Spider** Wed 10 Oct 2018, 9:20 am

John Robson: As the Russians go Tom Clancy, Canada still ignores defence

John Robson
October 9, 2018

NATO - Page 3 Russia_navy-e1514476405631

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/john-robson-as-the-russians-go-tom-clancy-canada-still-ignores-defence

by Spectrum Fri 19 Oct 2018, 9:28 pm

Canadian fighter jets intercept Russian aircraft over Black Sea

The Canadian Press
Published Friday, October 19, 2018

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/canadian-fighter-jets-intercept-russian-aircraft-over-black-sea-1.4141906

by Garrison Sat 20 Oct 2018, 9:38 am

Canadian jets intercept Russian military plane near Romanian airspace

Oct 20, 2018 in Aviation, News

https://defence-blog.com/news/canadian-jets-intercept-russian-military-plane-near-romanian-airspace.html

by **Apollo** Mon 22 Oct 2018, 10:55 am

Canadian air patrol mission intercept Russian fighter near Romania

22 Oct 2018 by Romania Insider

https://www.romania-insider.com/canadian-air-patrol-irussian-fighter-near-romania/

by Tazzer Thu 08 Nov 2018, 8:48 pm

Ottawa on track to invest less on new military kit than promised for second year

THE CANADIAN PRESS November 8, 2018

https://ottawacitizen.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/ottawa-on-track-to-invest-less-on-new-military-kit-than-promised-for-second-year/wcm/923b9523-b24f-4103-802c-a7c425ba54c8

by **Replica** Sat 17 Nov 2018, 8:46 pm

Canada's defence spending questioned at NATO parliamentary meeting

Keith Doucette, The Canadian Press
Published Saturday, November 17, 2018

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/canada-s-defence-spending-questioned-at-nato-parliamentary-meeting-1.4181549

by **Navigator** Tue 18 Dec 2018, 5:20 pm

Canada’s fighter jets up to peacetime standard in Romania

By Charlie Pinkerton. Published on Dec 18, 2018

NATO - Page 3 RP20-2018-0055-001-1200x675

https://ipolitics.ca/2018/12/18/canadas-fighter-jets-up-to-peacetime-standard-in-romania/

by **Forcell** Thu 03 Jan 2019, 2:23 pm

Canadian air task force finishes Romanian mission, personnel coming home later this month

DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN January 3, 2019

https://edmontonjournal.com/news/national/defence-watch/canadian-air-task-force-finishes-romanian-mission-personnel-coming-home-later-this-month/wcm/e986d85f-9abb-4955-915a-5dfcccba67e7

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