Canadian military will get new tanks to replace Leopards going to Ukraine: minister – National | 24CA News

Canada can be buying extra tanks to interchange those being despatched to Ukraine, Defence Minister Anita Anand stated.

Her remark comes on the heels of an announcement Friday that Canada can be sending a further 4 Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine, bringing the whole variety of tanks being despatched by the federal government to the embattled nation to eight.

However, Canada’s contributions to Ukraine’s conflict effort have come amid issues concerning the Canadian Armed Forces’ capacities right here at residence.

“I am always concerned to make sure that the Canadian Armed Forces have what they need to serve and protect this incredible country,” Anand stated, chatting with The West Block host Mercedes Stephenson in an interview, aired Sunday.

“What that means is we are going to be purchasing additional tanks for the Canadian Armed Forces.”

These tanks, she added, won’t be precisely the identical because the eight Leopard 2 battle tanks Canada gave to Ukraine.

The Canadian navy, Anand stated, needs to make sure it has “the most innovative and modern solutions.”

“So it’s not necessarily the case that the Leopard 2A4 is going to be the replacement vehicle,” she stated.

“We have to make sure that we are recapitalizing with the most up-to-date technology that is interoperable with our allies, as we have done in the past, as we are doing with the F-35.”

As Canada works to rebuild its provides, Anand stated she’s pushing to make sure our “priority placement” within the provide chain whereas “doing whatever is necessary from a domestic innovation perspective.”

“So we’re working very quickly in terms of the Canadian supply chain, in terms of international procurement, as well as capitalizing Ukraine with the equipment that it needs to fight and win this war,” she stated.

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The promise to buy extra tanks comes as Canada faces severe challenges with recruitment and retention of personnel within the Canadian Armed Forces.

While it’s imagined to be including about 5,000 troops to common and reserve forces to satisfy a rising listing of calls for, the navy is as an alternative quick greater than 10,000 educated members – that means about one in 10 positions are presently vacant.

In addition to a scarcity of recruits, the Canadian navy continues to face longstanding challenges in procuring new tools, sustaining ageing gear, and monitoring down alternative components.

The ongoing challenges inside the Canadian navy have left the highest soldier within the nation involved.

In an interview with Stephenson aired in late January, Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre warned that Canada’s navy could be “hard pressed” to do something greater than merely meet its NATO pledges because it grapples with these points.

“We’re not the only ones facing the people crunch. I’ve had good chats with Australia, New Zealand, NATO counterparts — this is a phenomenon across the West – tight labour force, not as much interest in military service,” Eyre stated.

“That worries me from a collective ability to defend democracy at large,” Eyre stated. “We’ve got to do our part with getting our numbers back up … I am concerned, but I’m concerned for the wider West as well.”

While navy officers aren’t putting blame on any single subject with respect to the recruitment and retention issues, the Canadian Forces have been shaken in recent times by a sexual misconduct disaster that touched even the very best ranks, together with wider consideration on systemic racism.

The reputational drawback has been compounded by issues concerning the presence of right-wing extremists and racism within the ranks, which a overview stated final 12 months have been components “repulsing” new recruits.

Anand introduced final 12 months that fixing the navy’s tradition was her high precedence.

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