Canada Defence and Security Report Q1 2013

BMI's Canada Defence & Security Report for Q113 examines Canada's strategic interests, defenceposture and defence procurement plans.

In terms of the country's strategic interests, the report discusses Canada's relationships with the UnitedStates of America, Europe, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the wider world. The country'sdefence posture is examined via a discussion of its doctrines and the orders of battle of its navy, army andair force. The report also presents the country's current, near- and medium-term defence procurementplans including ongoing programmes, scheduled acquisitions and long-term aspirations.

Essentially, the report seeks to ascertain the extent to which the country's strategic interests can be metwith its existing and future defence capabilities.

The report makes several key findings: regarding Canada's defence posture, it posits that the country'smilitary doctrine is adopting an expeditionary mindset towards the deployment of military force aroundthe world. This is underscored by Canada's participation in several recent 'out of area' operations, plusdefence agreements that it has concluded with a number of countries. Another key finding is the leadingrole that Canada plays in the global defence industry as an arms exporter. The country is also a leadingarms importer, although much of its materiel is sourced from American suppliers. Other challenges facingCanada's defence community discussed by the report include the continuing budgetary pressures facingthe country's armed forces.

Since our Q412 update, a number of additions have been made. These include:

A full order of battle for the Canadian army, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and the RoyalCanadian Navy (RCN).

Updated information regarding ongoing procurement plans for all three Canadian armedservices.

Full details regarding defence equipment procurement activity during Q412 across the Canadianarmy, the RCAF and the RCN.