Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Wednesday that his government would not purchase early-warning-radar planes from the United States, opting instead for a European model.
Canada will purchase Swedish Saab’s GlobalEye, which is based on the Canadian-manufactured Bombardier Global 6500 jet.
Tensions between the US and Canada have been high since Donald Trump launched a trade war against the US’ northern neighbor and even suggested that Canada should become the 51st US state, which caused widespread outrage in Canada, just as Carney was seeking the post of prime minister and succeeded in getting elected to it.
Since then, the Canadian government has also opted ot review the planned purchase of US F-35 fighter jets to explore other options.
I agree with you friend, that buying war machines is a lose-lose, but I also think is necessary, to avoid situations like the invasion from greedy old men, like what Russia attempted with Ukraine
It isn’t strategic for Canada to invest in its airforce, because it is mostly useless for the types of wars Canada may find itself into:
A foreign (non-American) adversary attacks Canada: won’t be necessary since the United States will intervene automatically as it doesn’t want to have a (probably nuclear capable) enemy at its border.
The United States attacks Canada: The airforce will probably be destroyed on the ground as they did with Iran. Asymmetrical warfare will be Canada’s best leverage here.
Canada attacks a foreign nation for some reason: This is just going to fail abysmally. Reminder that Canada doesn’t even operate an aircraft carrier. If it attacks as part of a coalition, the CAF won’t be the determining factor in victory or defeat.
Strong fences make good neighbours