Canadian Protection Minister William Blair as we speak mentioned updates to his nation’s protection coverage with Secretary of Protection Lloyd J. Austin III, who hosted an enhanced honor cordon and assembly on the Pentagon.
The coverage replace was wanted as a result of “the world is altering,” Blair stated, noting the war in Ukraine, battle within the Center East, and rising tensions within the Indo-Pacific.
Canada might want to make vital navy investments to satisfy the coverage replace, however the elevated protection spending will assist Canada attain 2% of its gross home product to satisfy its NATO dedication, he stated.
Blair stated investments will embrace:
- New capabilities and tools to reinforce Arctic and North American safety;
- Modernization of the North American Aerospace Protection Command;
- Supporting Ukraine in its protection towards Russian aggression; and
- Bolstering NATO’s protection.
Blair stated Canada is rising its navy presence in Latvia. Additionally, Canada is hoping to quickly get up a Canadian-led multinational brigade.
The accession of Finland and Sweden into NATO will strengthen the alliance’s safety within the Arctic area, Blair stated.
“Canada has no nearer pal than america. We now have stood by one another in good occasions and in difficult occasions as shut companions in protection and safety,” he stated.
“Our unparalleled partnerships enable us to keep up stability and prosperity right here in North America and all over the world,” he stated.
Canada is a good neighbor, reliable pal and steadfast ally. Our international locations have stood collectively for over a century, defending our homelands, constructing a affluent North America, upholding democracy and defending freedom worldwide. We’re proud to proceed working shoulder to shoulder with you.”
Secretary of Protection Lloyd J. Austin III
Austin stated the coverage replace underscores the significance of defending the Arctic, enhancing cyber and area capabilities, and modernizing Canada’s protection infrastructure and tools.
“I commend you on the DPU [defense policy update] and look ahead to working collectively on implementation.”
The secretary thanked Blair for his nation’s help for Ukraine, together with the announcement final month of Ottawa’s plan for drone manufacturing in Ukraine.
In addition to the coverage replace, Austin stated as we speak’s talks will embrace:
1
The United Nations-authorized, multinational security-support mission for Haiti;
2
Advancing a shared imaginative and prescient for a free, open, safe and affluent Indo-Pacific area;
3
Updating the optimistic progress of NORAD modernization efforts, that are important for the air and maritime protection of each the U.S. and Canada; and
4
Methods to deal with continued Houthi assaults on navy and business vessels within the Crimson Sea.
“Canada is a good neighbor, reliable pal and steadfast ally. Our international locations have stood collectively for over a century, defending our homelands, constructing a affluent North America, upholding democracy and defending freedom worldwide. We’re proud to proceed working shoulder to shoulder with you,” Austin stated.