Canada will invest $4.9 billion over the next six years to modernize North America’s aging defensive systems.
Defence Minister Anita Anand made the announcement Monday morning at CFB Trenton alongside General Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff & Lieutenant-General Alain Pelletier, Deputy Commander NORAD.
Anand said the funding is the first of an estimated $40 billion that will be spent over the next 20 years to upgrade the joint U.S.-Canadian early warning system known as Norad and purchase other military assets to protect the continent.
Minister of National Defence Anita Anand accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre and Deputy Commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command Lieutenant-General Alain Pelletier Visit to 8 Wing Trenton on 20 June 2022 in Trenton, Ontario. (Photoy: Sailor First Class Erin Roberts 8 Wing Imaging)
The announcement comes amid numerous warnings from U.S. and Canadian military officials and experts that Norad is badly showing its age.
Anand had been promising a robust package of investments for upgrading the system set up in the 1950s, which is responsible for detecting incoming airborne and maritime threats to North America, including missiles and aircraft.
Minister of National Defence Anita Anand accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre and Deputy Commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command Lieutenant-General Alain Pelletier Visit to 8 Wing Trenton on 20 June 2022 in Trenton, Ontario. (Photo: Sailor First Class Erin Roberts 8 Wing Imaging)
The new funding will include plans to build new radar networks to detect threats coming over the Arctic, as well as command and control systems, advanced air-to-air missiles and others.
Anand said there are no plans for Canada to join the U-S in actively defending against intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Ottawa opted out of the ballistic missile defence program in 2005.
The Canadian Press
