Canadian Defense Minister William Blair today discussed updates to his country’s defense policy with Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, who hosted an enhanced honor cordon and meeting at the Pentagon.
The policy update was needed because “the world is changing,” Blair said, noting the war in Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East, and rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
Canada will need to make significant military investments to fulfill the policy update, but the increased defense spending will help Canada reach 2% of its gross domestic product to meet its NATO commitment, he said.
Blair said investments will include:
New capabilities and equipment to enhance Arctic and North American security;
Modernization of the North American Aerospace Defense Command;
Supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression; and
Bolstering NATO’s defense.
Blair said Canada is increasing its military presence in Latvia. Also, Canada is hoping to soon stand up a Canadian-led multinational brigade.
The accession of Finland and Sweden into NATO will strengthen the alliance’s security in the Arctic region.
