The Canadian Armed Forces has named Gen. Jennie Carignan as chief of defense staff, succeeding Gen. Wayne Eyre. She took command of the post at a Thursday ceremony, with dignitaries including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Governor General and CAF Commander in Chief Mary Simon looking on. According to National Defence Minister Bill Blair, CAF...
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Tag: Bill Blair
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Under-Construction Canadian Warships Designated as River-Class Destroyers; Bill Blair Quoted
Irving Shipbuilding has started construction on the production test module for the new fleet of Canadian Surface Combatants, which according to a Canadian government announcement will be known as River-class destroyers. The PTM will enable testing and streamlining of the shipbuilding processes to gear up the project for full-rate production starting in 2025, according to...
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Bell Seeks to Deliver Canada’s First Modified Griffon Helicopter in 2026
Bell Textron Canada targets a 2026 delivery for the first modernized CH-146 Griffon of the Royal Canadian Air Force, pending military certification. The company is upgrading RCAF’s fleet of Bell 412EP variant helicopters under a $2.28 billion in-service support contract awarded in January to support the Griffon Limited Life Extension project through 2039. The first...
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Canada Deploying Three Warships in Indo-Pacific
Canada will deploy navy ships in the Indo-Pacific to promote peace and stability in the region. Minister of National Defence Bill Blair, who announced the Canadian government’s decision at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, noted that Ottawa’s naval presence in the region will support a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific. “This Canadian naval deployment demonstrates that...
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US, Canada Defense Leaders Discuss Efforts to Improve Regional Security
Top defense officials from the United States and Canada discussed ongoing investments, priorities, policies and efforts to address security challenges in the Arctic and North American regions in a meeting at the Pentagon on Monday. Canadian Minister of National Defence Bill Blair informed U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III about Canada’s renewed vision for...
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Canada Commits $76M to Germany’s Initiative Supporting Ukraine
Canada has pledged $76 million to a German initiative to accelerate the delivery of air defense systems to Ukraine. The move is in response to Russia’s aerial attacks targeting Ukrainian critical infrastructures such as hospitals and power plants. The contribution was announced during a bilateral meeting between Canadian Minister of National Defence Bill Blair and...
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Canada to Boost Military Spending Under New Defense Policy
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Defence Minister Bill Blair have released an updated defense policy that puts Ottawa on track to meet NATO’s goal of 2 percent military spending-to-GDP ratio, Canada’s Department of National Defence announced on Monday. The new policy, titled “Our North, Strong and Free,” aims for a defense spending of 1.76 percent...
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Canada To Establish Regional Office of NATO Tech Accelerator Program in Halifax
Bill Blair, minister of Canada’s Department of National Defence, has announced an initial investment of about $19 million to open the North American regional office for the NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic in Halifax. The upcoming facility will open in 2024. Blair made the announcement during his keynote address at the 15th...
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US Expects Canada’s Defense Bill Update to Increase Military Spending
The United States is confident that Canada’s upcoming defense policy update will increase military spending to boost capabilities and meet its responsibilities as part of NATO. David Cohen, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, shared in a recent interview that sources from Ottawa made assurances that the policy change will address concerns among military officials over...
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Canada Pledges $24M to UK-Led Effort to Equip Ukraine Air Defense
Canadian Minister of National Defence Bill Blair has announced his country’s $24.4 million contribution to a United Kingdom-led partnership that aims to provide Ukraine with short and medium-range air missiles and associated equipment. “Together, Canada and the United Kingdom are standing with Ukraine as it fights to defend itself against Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion,”...