Witnessing the ongoing public discourse surrounding fighter jets and submarines this autumn has evoked a comparison to spirited debates in team sports like baseball or hockey. Particularly, the fervor has intensified online, with enthusiasts meticulously dissecting the attributes and nuances of each aircraft and vessel akin to the fervent devotion seen in professional sports.
Supporters of the F-35 and Gripen aircraft exhibit fervent loyalty, while a lesser but still noticeable enthusiasm exists in the deliberations between the South Korean KS-III submarine and Germany’s Type 12CD. Amidst the cacophony of discussions revolving around technical details and the economic impact on jobs, critical questions on national security and industrial policy have remained unanswered by the federal government thus far.
As Canada prepares to invest $81.8 billion in rebuilding its military and defense industrial base, two fundamental inquiries loom large: What specific roles do we envision for the Canadian military in this increasingly perilous world? And which essential military equipment should be domestically manufactured to ensure our sovereignty?
While the government contends that these questions are addressed in the Trudeau-era defense policy (“Our North, Strong and Free”), the awaited defense industrial strategy promises to provide further clarity in the coming weeks. However, past experiences in Ottawa have revealed a gap between policy intentions and practical implementation due to factors like political inertia or financial constraints, particularly evident in defense matters post-Cold War.
A strategic reevaluation is imperative, starting with a reflection on Canada’s global positioning, objectives, sovereignty safeguarding needs, and the corresponding military requirements. The fleeting glance at strategic planning seen in the Trudeau government’s peacekeeping initiative of 2017 underscores the necessity for a more robust and forward-thinking approach.
Renowned national security expert Wesley Wark highlights the deficit in long-term strategic foresight at the federal level, emphasizing the need to transcend the fiscal and political constraints of the outdated post-Cold War era. The evolving global landscape, exemplified by the crisis in Eastern Europe over Ukraine, demands a recalibration of defense priorities and a shift towards more comprehensive strategic deliberations.
Reframing the discourse from a pragmatic standpoint of national defense requirements, rather than budgetary constraints or personal preferences, could offer fresh perspectives on contentious issues like a diversified fighter jet fleet or the feasibility of domestic submarine production. The potential acquisition of 12 submarines, constituting a significant portion of the naval fleet, prompts questions about the viability of local submarine construction, considering Canada’s existing shipbuilding capabilities.
Defence Minister David McGuinty underscores the urgency of procuring submarines promptly, emphasizing the challenges and time required to establish domestic submarine manufacturing capacity. While the current focus is on securing a deal with established manufacturers in Germany and South Korea, the broader implications for Canada’s long-term sovereignty remain a critical consideration.
The proposition of collaborating with a Canadian shipyard for submarine construction, akin to successful models in other countries, presents a strategic opportunity for bolstering Canada’s industrial capacity and self-reliance in defense production. Drawing parallels with South Korea’s defense industry evolution, which prioritized self-sufficiency in response to external threats, Canada stands poised to embark on a similar trajectory of enhancing sovereign defense capabilities.
Reflecting on Canada’s wartime industrial achievements, characterized by significant production of military vehicles, tanks, aircraft, and naval vessels within a compressed timeframe, underscores the nation’s historical capacity for rapid industrial mobilization in defense endeavors. This historical precedent serves as a testament to Canada’s potential for cultivating a robust defense industry to meet contemporary security challenges.
In light of these considerations, a strategic shift towards long-term industrial self-sufficiency and defense preparedness emerges as a pivotal aspect of Canada’s defense modernization agenda.