By David Ljunggren (Reuters) Canada’s understaffed and resource-stretched navy is in “a vital state” and may not be capable to perform its fundamental duties subsequent yr, the highest admiral mentioned in a YouTube video launched this week.
The feedback by Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee are an unusually blunt expression of unhappiness from the army over the state of the armed forces. Canada solely spends about 1.3% of its annual gross home product on protection, a lot lower than the North Atlantic Treaty Group goal of two%.
Within the video, which runs slightly below six minutes, Topshee mentioned the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) had not hit its recruitment targets for greater than a decade.
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“Colleagues and shipmates – the RCN faces some very severe challenges proper now that might imply we fail to fulfill our power posture and readiness commitments in 2024 and past,” he mentioned.
“The scenario is severe however our issues are usually not distinctive and I do know that the air power and armed forces are dealing with comparable challenges,” he continued.
The West Coast fleet is “beset with a scarcity of certified techs” which suggests ships can not meet operation and upkeep targets, he mentioned.
The Liberal authorities of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau plans to chop C$1 billion from the protection finances as a part of a fiscal restraint bundle.
Chief of the Defence Employees Normal Wayne Eyre, Canada’s high soldier, instructed legislators in late September that this had prompted a “very troublesome session” with commanders of the varied companies.
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The navy depends on its 12 Halifax class frigates, that are approaching the top of their 30-year operational life however should keep in service for one more 15 years as a result of their replacements are not on time and over finances.
“It is a very appreciable problem … I want it was not so however I’m afraid there may be merely no different selection,” mentioned Topshee, who took over as Canada’s high sailor in Might 2022.
The video was launched on Monday with none publicity.
The places of work of Topshee and Defence Minister Invoice Blair didn’t instantly reply to requests for touch upon Tuesday.
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(Reporting by David Ljunggren; Modifying by David Gregorio, Reuters)
