Canada-led NATO mission gets $273M boost
CTV
The federal government is spending more than $273 million to acquire new military equipment for NATO's Canada-led battle group in Latvia.
The federal government is spending more than $273 million to acquire new military equipment for NATO's Canada-led battle group in Latvia.
That includes $227.5 million for a short-range air defence system from Saab Canada Inc., intended to defend against fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and drones, and another $46 million for counter-drone equipment.
Defence Minister Bill Blair says it's the first time that the Canadian Armed Forces will have an air defence capability since 2012.
He says the equipment is being acquired on an "urgent basis" and is expected to be delivered later this year.
Blair made the announcement in Brussels, where he is attending a meeting of NATO defence ministers — and where he's signalling Canada's steadfast support for the military alliance.
Ministers are meeting days after former and would-be future U.S. president Donald Trump said he would encourage Russia to "do whatever the hell they want" to any NATO member that shirks its defence spending targets.
Canada is well short of the NATO prescription for two per cent of GDP to be spent on defence.
