Just because conservatives are in power doesn't gaurantee increased spending/support for the armed forces, although it is more likely. Conservatives if they have not been elected on a security platform or similar will generally try to cut costs and try to get budget surpluses. Keep an eye on you military sites and local discussion boards. It usually take somethig to kick them in the behind to get something done. There are few proactive governments these days. sigh. Pucka

Unless the people actually get behind giving the military the support it needs it will never happen. Canada needs 10s of billions of dollars to get its military back up to world class. That means increasing force size by 25000 increasing the reserves by 40000 buying all new destroyers and supply ships so we may form our own naval taskgroups buying new MBT because the tank is not going awya any time soon. Getting brigades fully staffed and more money for training. Canadian soldiers are getting lax time for training. I think they have only had one brigade level exercise in the last 5 years. The Air Force also need new aircraft and transport planes. The hercules need to be replaced and we need some C17s that the US has. They also need new surveillance aircraft and seaking helicopters. its ridiculous that the government has let our army slip to these levels. The Cf18s should also be upgraded and we should continue to invest in JSF for a replacement plan. Now these are modest requirements. We are not asking for an aircraft carrier or anythign just simple upgrades and more men and a couple of new supply ships so our soldiers can actually do the job safely.

I agree with you pretty much 100%. Canada could have a small but extremely high quality army and navy for a relatively small amount of money. I think that we should see about getting in on the FCS systems that the US has coming down the pipe, assuming they would be willing to sell the equipment to a foreign country (cough). Buying modular littoral craft for the navy would be an especially good idea, especially for Canada since the range of missions that can be accomplished is larger than can be accomplished with specialized ships that Canada can't afford. I think the first thing to do is establish a permanent military presence in the North.

Yes All the Navy needs are new destroyers, some new supply ships so we can get our Army where it needs to go without having to charter private vessels, a midlife refit on our frigates which are state of the art as it is, some new helicopters which have already been purchased, and a refit our purchase of some new coastal surveillance planes for the auroras. The submarines we just got from the Royal navy will come in handy and should serve our needs for atleast 20 years. All we need is a Military of 85,000 and a reserve force of 40,000 This would fully staff our logistical support mechanisms within the forces and would fill our 3 brigades to the levels they should be at. The biggest problems our Army has is political mismanagement and logistics. We don't need a large Armed forces just a highly mobile robust Armed Forces. We need to be technologically advanced and have the ability to be inserted and withdrawn from combat in record timing. so this is what i have highlighted we do as have many other people and it is not asking for much. Increase Reg Force from 56,000 to 85,000 Increase Reserve Force/Militia 21,000 to 40,000 New MBTs for Army(Sources tell me the Germans have offered leopard IIs at relatively cheap price, sounds better to me then that stryker bull) better logistics capability for Army(No more civilian contractors they are combat ineffective) Consider purchasing helicopter such as Blackhawk(gunship variant, transport Variant) - This is one for the wishlist The Navy needs 4 new destroyers New Supply Ships (Ships that can actually put our Army and its equipment overseas in decent time) Mid life refit of our frigates New Strategic Arborne Surface Surveillance Aircraft New Helicopters(They have finally been purchased blah) The Air Force needs Upgrade to CF18s to put all into service New Transport Aircraft (C17s get rid of the outdated hercules) The Armed forces as a whole element of the government need DND hq to be refitted its civilian armchair bureaucrats thrown out New presence in the North (Put a base in Iqaluit) More money dedicated to training Less time wasted going on peacekeeping missions that are completely pointless (Afghanistan) More cooperation with Allies such as United States and Great Britain A government that actually cares Less Anti-Americanism Less Bureaucrats :) This should be where the Canadian Forces focuses its Attention.

Sounds perfect. I would also like to add a much increased training 'per-soldier' budget though. Cross-train our soldiers on as much as possible (we already do this, just keep it up) and get rid of the relaxed fitness standards.

What does the Canadian military have now man-power and common equipment wise?

56,000 reg force 21,000 reserve I think these numbers are overstated though. goto too check out the full equipment list.

world peace

Wouldn't Canada be better off with a light tank? MBTs seem to require a lot more maintenance and fuel costs than the Candaian Army wants to pay, and the Stryker MGS is primarily designed for infantry support. It's armor is too thin and it's gun it is limited in capability to be a tank subsitute. It's more like the WWII assault guns or tank destroyers.

Someone wanna explian why we need a bigger military? Whats wrong with the size of military we have now? I dont see Candians worrying about homeland security, so other than disaster relief and peacekeeping what do we need a bigger military for if we're not going to join the war in iraq or whatever country the states invades next