Just spotted
the speaking notes to the Defence Minister's speech on the strategy (
.pdf permalink)...
Minister's Speech
The Canada First Defence Strategy
Excellence at Home and Leadership Abroad
May 12, 2008, Halifax
Please check against delivery
Prime Minister;
General Hillier, Members of the Canadian Forces;
Ladies and gentlemen.
In times of war and peace, Halifax has been -- and remains -- a linch-pin in the defence of Canada.
I believe this city’s long and storied military history makes it an ideal place to talk about our Canada First Defence Strategy.
Our Government has already made significant investments in the Canadian Forces.
In our first Budget, we allocated an additional $5.3 billion over five years to defence.
And we subsequently announced that annual increases in defence spending will grow from 1.5% to 2% starting in 2011-2012.
We have committed over $30 billion for major capital equipment projects and in service support contracts.
This includes:
* 4 x C-17 strategic lift aircraft; a brand new capability which has given us a significantly increased ability to deploy and support our troops and at home and abroad
* 17x C130-J tactical lift aircraft to replace our aging Hercules fleet
* 16x CH 47-F Medium-to-heavy-lift helicopters; As a short term measure we are acquiring 6X CH 47- Ds in the next few months to support our troops in Afghanistan;
* 100x Leopard 2 battle tanks,
* mine protected vehicles and trucks,
* EROC counter-IED systems;
* 6-8x Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships to provide surveillance and control along our coasts and on the approaches to our Arctic waters; and,
* 3x Joint Support Ships to provide supply and replenishment to our ships at sea and an important troop and equipment carrying capability.
But we need to continue building on this solid foundation.
That’s why the Government is providing the Canadian Forces with long-term, stable, predictable defence funding. Our strategy is designed to provide a solid basis for defence planning over the next 20 years. No doubt the world will change dramatically during that period but this strategy provides the Canadian Forces with a solid and balanced foundation of core capabilities to ensure they can answer the call in the face of future threats.
Under the Canada First Defence Strategy, this Government is expanding the Canadian Forces.
The Armed Forces will expand to an all up force of 100,000 including 70,000 Regulars and 30,000 in the Reserve Force over the course of the plan.
This expanded force will increase our capabilities and flexibility at home and abroad and position the Canadian Forces for further growth in the future.
We also need to equip our men and women in uniform for success.
So in addition to the capital equipment projects this Government has previously announced, we will be making more sound investments in major fleets. This will provide the Canadian Forces with:
* new Destroyers and Frigates, to replace our aging fleet of surface combatant ships;
* new Maritime patrol aircraft to replace our Aurora fleet;
* New fixed-wing Search and Rescue aircraft;
* Next-generation fighter aircraft to replace our CF-18s; and
* A new family of land combat vehicles and systems.
This is a long-term plan, and it will evolve as we continue to assess our needs and the opportunities to make wise investments. But for the first time in modern memory the CF will be able to plan for the long-term, because this government has committed to long-term and growing funding.
Let me be clear:
* We’re not rebuilding the Canadian Forces to face the challenges of yesterday;
* We’re rebuilding the Canadian Forces to face the uncertainties and the challenges of the 21st Century.
The Canada First Defence Strategy will ensure that our military is well positioned to defend us at home, and protect our interests and values abroad – today and into the future.