Canadian military Unprepared for future challenges as global security situation continues to “deteriorate”, warns Chief of Defense Staff General Wayne Eyre,
in an interview with west blockMercedes Stephenson, to be aired on Sunday, Eyre talks about the efforts the army is making to support ukraine In its defense against Russian aggression, but also about the difficulties that Canadian forces are facing in preparing for the demands of a more unstable world.
“Do you think you’re ready now?” Stephenson asked.
“Now, to the challenges ahead? No,” Eyre said.
“That is why it is so important that we restructure our force, get our numbers back, so that we have capabilities that are relevant to the security environment of the future, while at the same time, as we become a piece of that future Let’s focus on, being able to respond today.
The full interview will air on Sunday at 11am.
canadian armed forces In recent years, we are facing a significant personnel crisis.
While the regular and reserve forces are supposed to add about 5,000 soldiers to meet the growing list of demands, the army instead has more than 10,000 trained members – meaning one in 10 positions is currently vacant.
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In addition to a shortage of recruits, the Canadian Army has long faced challenges in procuring new equipment, maintaining aging gear and tracking down replacement parts.
There are also ongoing questions about whether the federal government will pursue contract replacements for other equipment such as weapons, gear and ammunition that the Canadian Forces are donating to Ukraine in the billions.
While military officials are not pinning blame on any one issue with regard to recruitment and retention problems, in recent years the Canadian Forces have been rocked by a sexual misconduct crisis that, along with a widespread focus on systemic racism, has plagued the highest ranks. is also touched.
The reputational problem is compounded by concerns about the presence of right-wing extremists and racism in the ranks, as said in a review last year There were factors “turning” the new recruits unfavourable.
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