How Canada can gear up for the Arctic ‘Great Game’
Ottawa intends to prioritize acquisitions and upgrades, including spending on polar icebreakers, space surveillance and maritime capabilities, to support its Arctic sovereignty.
Canada is investing heavily in its defense capabilities, with Prime Minister Mark Carney aiming for the nation to allocate 5% of its gross domestic product to military spending by 2035, according to a recent NATO summit. The country is moving swiftly to make significant and strategic defense investments, as emphasized by Carney in a post-summit statement.
This commitment comes after years of collaboration with Canadian naval and ground forces, including Carney's own experience commanding a Canadian guided missile frigate in the 1990s and leading a multinational force in Afghanistan in the early 2010s. During that time, over 200 Canadian soldiers were killed and several thousand were wounded, highlighting the bravery and professionalism of those serving.
Recently, conversations with Canadian defense officials, senior officers, and industry representatives confirmed that Ottawa is dedicated to fulfilling Carney's pledge.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
