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Are maritime affairs more important than those on land for New Zealand? We put that question and more to Air Marshal Kevin Short.

Germany’s Cabinet has approved a draft 2024 budget that foresees lower spending, with defense among the exceptions.

Up to half of the 100 billion euro ($109 billion) special fund set up to modernize the German military will likely go to U.S. defence companies, a leading tank gear box maker said, accusing Berlin of lacking a strategy for its defence industry.

Switzerland wants to participate in the European Sky Shield air defence umbrella, the government said on Tuesday, a move which critics say is incompatible with the country's long-standing tradition of neutrality.

June 29, 2023 – London, United Kingdom – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces Today, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, met with the Right Honourable Ben Wallace, the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Defence, in London. Minister Anand thanked Secretary Wallace for the United Kingdom’s hosting of Canadian Armed Forces members deployed on Operation UNIFIER to train Ukrainian troops, and for its hosting of the Royal Canadian Air Force detachment in Prestwick, Scotland, which has delivered over ten million pounds of Ukraine-bound military aid. During their meeting, the Ministers discussed priorities for the upcoming North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit in Vilnius, including reinforcing NATO’s Eastern Flank, military assistance for Ukraine, and NATO’s deterrence and defence posture. Minister Anand also announced that on July 3, Canada will deploy His Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMCS) Shawinigan and Summerside from their home port of Halifax, Nova Scotia to join Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) on Operation REASSURANCE. Both ships have embarked Royal Canadian Navy clearance diving teams from Fleet Diving Unit Atlantic & Pacific, and mine countermeasure search capabilities using autonomous underwater vehicles. The contribution of two Kingston-class Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels (MCDV) to SNMCMG1 demonstrates Canada’s ongoing commitment to NATO’s high readiness continuous at-sea presence, and the Royal Canadian Navy’s leadership in strengthening security throughout European waters. During her visit to the United Kingdom, Minister Anand also delivered remarks to members of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), where she highlighted Canada’s military support to Ukraine, Canadian defence modernization, and challenges and opportunities in the Indo-Pacific. In addition, Minister Anand met with Mr. Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive Officer of BAE Systems; spoke with the Right Honourable David Lammy, Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs; and visited Liphook School where she met with students aged 8-9, who are researching a Canadian training camp that existed in Bramshott during the First World War. Canada and the United Kingdom enjoy a longstanding, close-knit, and collaborative defence relationship forged through our shared values and beliefs. Quotes “The United Kingdom is one of Canada’s closest and most important Allies. I thank Secretary Wallace for his warm welcome during my first official visit to the United Kingdom as Canada’s Minister of National Defence, and for the productive discussions on a range of mutual priorities. Our two countries are leaders in supporting Ukraine, and as dedicated members of the NATO Alliance, we will continue to stand united in the face of new security challenges.” - The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence Quick facts The defence and security relationship between Canada and the UK is rooted in history and fostered by the fact that Canada and the UK are Allies in NATO and engage in close cooperation in international organizations, including the United Nations and the Commonwealth, among others. The deep bond between Canada and the UK has been forged in peace and war, notably through the two World Wars, Korea, and in almost every major conflict for more than a century, including Afghanistan and Libya. Since August 2022, Canadian Armed Forces personnel deployed in the UK have trained approximately 2000 Armed Forces of Ukraine recruits, in collaboration with the UK’s Operation INTERFLEX. The Canadian-led courses last several weeks and focus on topics such as weapons handling, battlefield first aid, fieldcraft, patrol tactics, and the Law of Armed Conflict.  Since the beginning of 2022, Canada has committed over $8 billion in aid to Ukraine, including over $1.5 billion in military assistance. This includes 288 AIM-7 missiles, 10,000 rounds of 105mm artillery ammunition, eight Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks and one armoured recovery vehicle, a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) with associated munitions, 39 armoured combat support vehicles, anti-tank weapons, small arms, M777 howitzers and associated ammunition, high-resolution drone cameras, winter clothing, and more. Canada also will join the Leopard 2 Maintenance and Service Centre in Poland and will contribute to multinational efforts to train pilots, and maintain and support Ukraine’s F-16s, leveraging Canadian expertise in these areas. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2023/06/defence-minister-anita-anand-meets-with-british-counterpart-and-announces-nato-naval-deployment.html

Britain’s defence secretary delivered a polite but pointed reminder Thursday of NATO’s expectations of its member states — including Canada — when it comes to defence spending.

Canada is expected to boost military spending after a government review next month, but the increase is unlikely to comfort allies facing new threats and it could further undermine the country's international military credibility, policy analysts said.

A Senate committee has delivered a forceful call for greater participation by Indigenous communities in shaping Canada’s Arctic defence and security.

Le 27 juin 2023 – Ottawa (Ontario) – Défense nationale/Forces armées canadiennes La ministre de la Défense nationale, l’honorable Anita Anand, sera au Royaume-Uni du 27 au 29 juin 2023. Pendant son séjour, la ministre rencontrera le secrétaire d’État à la Défense du Royaume‑Uni, le très honorable Ben Wallace, et d’autres responsables britanniques, de sorte à discuter des efforts visant à soutenir l’Ukraine, à promouvoir l’ordre international fondé sur des règles et à développer la solide relation de défense qu’entretiennent le Canada et le Royaume‑Uni. Le 28 juin, la ministre Anand visitera l’école de Liphook pour rencontrer des élèves qui effectuent des recherches sur l’entraînement canadien réalisé au Royaume-Uni durant la Première Guerre mondiale. Elle tiendra également une réunion bilatérale avec le porte-parole de l’opposition officielle en matière de défense, le très honorable John Healey, et des représentants de BAE Systems. Le 29 juin, la ministre Anand visitera le camp d’entraînement militaire de Lydd pour rencontrer des membres des Forces armées canadiennes en déploiement au Royaume-Uni en vue d’entraîner le personnel des forces armées ukrainiennes dans le cadre de l’opération UNIFIER du Canada. Par après, elle adressera la parole à des membres du Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) – groupe de réflexion sur les questions de défense et de sécurité. Le 29 juin, la ministre tiendra aussi une réunion bilatérale avec le secrétaire d’État Wallace et participera à un point de presse conjoint avec ce dernier. Enfin, la ministre prononcera une allocution lors d’une réception à l’occasion de la fête du Canada, à la Maison du Canada. Le 29 juin 2023 (heure locale) 13 h. La ministre Anand présentera une allocution sur les priorités du Canada en matière de défense à des membres du Royal United Services Institute. Remarques à l’intention des médias : Lieu : Army & Navy Club, 36 Pall Mall, Londres Veuillez vous inscrire en communiquant avec le RUSI, à l’adresse rusip@rusi.org. Renseignements supplémentaires : https://www.rusi.org/events/members-events/ukraine-indo-pacific-exploring-canadas-defence-priorities (en anglais seulement) 15 h 45. La ministre Anand et le secrétaire d’État à la Défense du Royaume‑Uni, Ben Wallace, tiendront un point de presse. Ils prononceront des allocutions et répondront à des questions des représentants des médias y participant en personne. https://www.canada.ca/fr/ministere-defense-nationale/nouvelles/2023/06/la-ministre-de-la-defense-anand-visite-le-royaume-uni-pour-approfondir-la-relation-de-defense.html