21 novembre 2019 | Local, Autre défense

Brewing battle over future of NATO creates minefield for Canada

OTTAWA — There are fears a brewing battle over the future of NATO could have major implications for Canada, which has relied on the military alliance as a cornerstone of its security, protection and influence in the world for decades.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to travel to London next month where comments by French President Emmanuel Macron questioning the viability of NATO threaten to overshadow a celebration of the alliance's 70th birthday.

Macron warned in an interview with the Economist magazine that the alliance suffers from a lack of U.S. leadership, and that Europe must stop relying on American guarantees of protection and prepare to defend itself.

Robert Baines, president of the NATO Association of Canada, says he is concerned about the alliance's future, adding its dissolution would weaken this country's links to other western democracies and leave Canada reliant on the U.S. for security.

Defence analyst David Perry of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute says NATO represents an important “counterweight” to what would otherwise be a lopsided Canada-U.S. defence relationship.

Baines and Perry suggest Canada is well-placed to bring Washington and Europe together, and that saving the organization should be a priority.

This report was first published by The Canadian Press on Nov. 19, 2019.

https://lethbridgenewsnow.com/2019/11/19/brewing-battle-over-future-of-nato-creates-minefield-for-canada/

Sur le même sujet

  • A $2 billion dollar contract for new armoured vehicles was quietly signed with General Dynamics Land Systems earlier this month.

    12 septembre 2019 | Local, Terrestre

    A $2 billion dollar contract for new armoured vehicles was quietly signed with General Dynamics Land Systems earlier this month.

    By DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN A $2 billion dollar contract for new armoured vehicles was quietly signed with General Dynamics Land Systems earlier this month. The Liberal government originally announced Aug. 18 that negotiations were underway for the sole source deal to purchase 360 combat support Light Armoured Vehicles from General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada in London, ON. A notice on the federal government's procurement website noted that Public Services and Procurement Canada, on behalf of National Defence, awarded the contract to General Dynamics valued at $2 billion on Sept. 5. That cost includes initial spare parts, technical manuals and training. Public Services and Procurement Canada did not issue a news release about the major award. The department did not respond to a request for comment. The overall project is estimated to cost $3 billion but that includes in-service support, construction of new facilities and other support to the program. The combat support Light Armoured Vehicles was originally announced by the Liberal government with an estimated cost between $500 million and $1.5 billion. The plan was to award the contract in 2023 after a competition between defence firms. But with the federal election looming the deal was fast-tracked by the Liberals, joining a series of recent defence-related funding announcements. A competition was jettisoned, replaced with a sole-source deal with General Dynamics. The deal includes a $650 million repayable loan to General Dynamics. Details have not been released. General Dynamics will provide the new vehicles in eight variants. They will be used as ambulances and in other roles such as vehicle recovery, engineering, mobile repair, electronic warfare and as command posts. The current fleet of armoured support vehicles is comprised of the LAV II Bison and the M113 tracked vehicle. The DND stated the contract was sole-sourced to General Dynamics as the firm builds most other armoured vehicles for the Canadian Forces and having a vehicle based on the same chassis allows for savings in maintenance and training. https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/canadian-government-quietly-signs-2-billion-defence-contract-with-general-dynamics

  • On its way to Ukraine: Canada's Defense Ministry confirms NASAMS delivery

    21 novembre 2024 | Local, Terrestre

    On its way to Ukraine: Canada's Defense Ministry confirms NASAMS delivery

    Canadian Department of National Defense has confirmed the delivery of a NASAMS air defense system to Ukraine. The system is already in Poland.

  • Trudeau signs $3-billion security deal for Ukraine on 2nd anniversary of Russian invasion | CBC News

    24 février 2024 | Local, Terrestre

    Trudeau signs $3-billion security deal for Ukraine on 2nd anniversary of Russian invasion | CBC News

    "This is a moment for us to both thank Ukraine and demonstrate our solidarity," Trudeau said.

Toutes les nouvelles