The Canadian Forces 40-year-old Twin Otter planes will keep flying in the Arctic until at least 2015 and could continue operating beyond that date if the military still does not have a replacement aircraft.
The Liberals didnt do shit for the military until after they put us in Afghanistan, they cancelled new helicoptors for the Navy brought the total force down to 60,000 from 90,000 and stopped recruiting. They bought absolutely no new equipment and just maintained the old stuff we already had and sold off our chinook helicoptors.
Unfotunately the current gov't now has to make up for years of indifference and they cant do all of it in a short period of time, the cost is very high, and would put us into a deficit all over again, so they are rebuilding as best they can with what they have but it will still take years to improve our military.
Trust me, due to those 4 years of minimal recruiting there is no one coming behind me to take over, there is a huge gap in skill and knowledge in our military where those who are approaching 12- 15 years literally have no one behind them, the next big group has only 8 years service
so tell me again how this is Harpers fault? Because I seem to be confused by your way of thinking
He's the one who's deciding to not replace the aircraft and only update it. It says in the article it's not a priority for him. Part of the Military's degradation is the Liberals fault, but this particular part is Harper. No point trying to spin it.
I find it funny that people can still blame the Liberals for the CF when they haven't been in office for more than two and a half years...and that they spent the four years previous to that increasing defence spending. If they were still in office, their projected annual budget was the same size as the one Harper has now...
This decision, like many recent defence purchase decisions, are a by-product of the Army-centric stance we have because of our troops in Afghanistan. I totally support having our troops there, but we need equipment for more than just the 'Stan, and Harper/MacKay need to realize that.
Our DDHs are nearly 40 years old, our fighters are nearly 30 years old and lots of planes are nearing 40 years too. It's time to re-invest across the board, not just buy a few tanks and transport planes and then beat their collective chests and proclaim, "The Conservatives are the only party to support the military!"
Harper has done pretty good so far, but he needs to do better. Get some contracts for real icebreakers, the JSS, some new destroyers, and finally make a decision on new fighters.
Its fine to say we need everything but we cant afford everything....they cant even find a shipyard in Canada to build the icebreakers we want. We are also trying to build new supply ships plus they want to build 30 more hulls for destroyers/ frigates. We will be replacing the CF-18 with the joint strike fighter as we have already bought in. IT is a tough world with tough choices, and we just dont have the tax base to buy everything, but at least we are buying which is a huge improvement.
Demian
We will not buy the F-22 because they are too expensive for our countries budget...too bad though they are cool.
We are now reaping the benefits of 13 years of Liberal/ anti-military leadership
This is Harper's fault, not the Liberals.
Unfotunately the current gov't now has to make up for years of indifference and they cant do all of it in a short period of time, the cost is very high, and would put us into a deficit all over again, so they are rebuilding as best they can with what they have but it will still take years to improve our military.
Trust me, due to those 4 years of minimal recruiting there is no one coming behind me to take over, there is a huge gap in skill and knowledge in our military where those who are approaching 12- 15 years literally have no one behind them, the next big group has only 8 years service
so tell me again how this is Harpers fault? Because I seem to be confused by your way of thinking
What a waste....
We are now reaping the benefits of 13 years of Liberal/ anti-military leadership
This is Harper's fault, not the Liberals.
Thank you! Someone who can see past the blind bias!
The Liberals are talking out of their asses again. If Harper spent money on new equipment you would call him a war monger .
This decision, like many recent defence purchase decisions, are a by-product of the Army-centric stance we have because of our troops in Afghanistan. I totally support having our troops there, but we need equipment for more than just the 'Stan, and Harper/MacKay need to realize that.
Our DDHs are nearly 40 years old, our fighters are nearly 30 years old and lots of planes are nearing 40 years too. It's time to re-invest across the board, not just buy a few tanks and transport planes and then beat their collective chests and proclaim, "The Conservatives are the only party to support the military!"
Harper has done pretty good so far, but he needs to do better. Get some contracts for real icebreakers, the JSS, some new destroyers, and finally make a decision on new fighters.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-22_Raptor
Its fine to say we need everything but we cant afford everything....they cant even find a shipyard in Canada to build the icebreakers we want. We are also trying to build new supply ships plus they want to build 30 more hulls for destroyers/ frigates. We will be replacing the CF-18 with the joint strike fighter as we have already bought in. IT is a tough world with tough choices, and we just dont have the tax base to buy everything, but at least we are buying which is a huge improvement.
Demian
We will not buy the F-22 because they are too expensive for our countries budget...too bad though they are cool.