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Canada Appoints New Secretary of State for Defence Procurement in Bid to Overhaul Troubled Military Purchasing System

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed Liberal MP Stephen Fuhr as Secretary of State responsible for defence procurement, a move aimed at transforming the country's troubled military purchasing system. Fuhr, a former CF-18 fighter pilot, will lead the overhaul of the system, which has been criticized as slow and unwieldy. The appointment comes as the Canadian government plans to increase defence spending by tens of billions of dollars over the next few years, with a focus on buying more Canadian-made equipment and partnering with European allies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Canadian government will increase defence spending by up to $20-billion a year, with a focus on buying Canadian-made equipment.
  • Stephen Fuhr, a former CF-18 fighter pilot and Liberal MP, has been appointed Secretary of State responsible for defence procurement.
  • The new procurement agency will prioritize buying Canadian gear and materials, such as steel, aluminum, and critical minerals, whenever possible.
  • The government will centralize decision-making on procurement and grant officials more discretion to waive procurement rules when necessary.
  • The goal is to create a stand-alone defence purchasing agency to speed up military equipment procurement and prioritize Canadian suppliers.
  • 88 F-35 fighter jets were ordered in 2010 for $19-billion, with a minimum order of 16 jets.
  • The government is considering scaling back the order or purchasing alternative fighter jets that could provide additional industrial benefits to Canada.
  • Canada's defence spending is expected to increase by $20-billion annually within five years to meet the 2% of GDP target by 2030.

Sources:

  • Globe and Mail: "Mark Carney appoints Stephen Fuhr as Secretary of State for Defence Procurement"
  • Liberal Party biography of Stephen Fuhr
  • Canadian Global Affairs Institute press release: "Canada's defence spending…"
  • Carleton University: Defence Policy and Procurement Research Area notes by Philippe Lagassé.

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