Certainly, the key ingredients for success are there. Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative government intends to invest CAD50 billion (USD43 billion) in new equipment over the next 20 years and has already awarded major contacts for four C-17 and 17 C-130J transport aircraft, 100 Leopard 2A4 and 2A6 main battle tanks (MBTs), M777 155 mm howitzers, mine-protected vehicles, heavy logistics trucks, upgrades of the 12 Halifax-class frigates and the lease of Heron unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
In addition, the Conservative government's planned acquisitions include 16 CH-47 helicopters, more UAVs, three Joint Support Ships (JSS), six to eight Polar Class 5 Arctic/Offshore Patrol Vessels (A/OPVs) and 2,300 medium support vehicles.
The government's Canada First Defence Strategy (CFDS) also outlines longer-term plans to buy 15 new surface combatants, 17 fixed-wing search-and-rescue aircraft, 65 next-generation fighter aircraft, 10-12 maritime patrol aircraft and a new family of land combat vehicles.
Canada is seriously upgrading their defence equipment, and doing so with very little of the political acquisition infighting that's currently plaguing the American military establishment. (KC-X, FCS, et al)
Updated
The Liberals in Canada have released their counter-plan, which apparently includes even more budget cuts to the Canadian military, potentially depriving them of everything up to, and including, their underwear:
Canadian Liberal leader Stephane Dion refused on Wednesday to rule out renewed cuts to the military if he defeats Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper in next week's election
By: Widow 6-7
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