The prime minister of Canada, Mark Carneylaunched a defense industrial strategy with the central objective of reducing military dependence on USA In a context of trade and geopolitical tensions under the presidency of the Republican magnate, Donald Trump.
The plan, valued at more than half a billion Canadian dollars —some US$366 billion in security commitments—seeks to reorient spending, strengthen local suppliers and diversify alliances.
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“The world has changed and Canada must change with it“said the premier when presenting the initiative in Montreal. The head of government maintained that Ottawa has trusted “too much in others” for its protection, which generated “vulnerabilities” and “dependencies” that it can no longer sustain.
Currently, about 75 percent of defense capital spending goes to USA; The goal is to raise domestic procurement to 70 percent by 2035, more than double the current level.
‘Build, Partner, Buy’
The strategy, backed with 6.6 billion dollars over five years, is articulated under the “build, partner, buy” principle. It includes ten categories of “sovereign capabilities,” from munitions and aerospace to drones, artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
It also provides for the creation of 125 thousand jobs and a 50 percent increase in exports from the sector.
An additional axis is the Arctic, where melting ice opens new routes and competition for critical minerals. The head of the Executive in Ottawa insisted on reinforcing Canadian sovereignty in that strategic region.
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Although the prime minister acknowledged that the relationship with Washington has strengthsdefined it as “a dependency” that must be transformed through greater internal production and new alliances. “We will always choose the best supplier”, he clarified, admitting that some American technologies will continue to be necessary.
Implementation will be key. David Perry, of the Canadian Institute of Global Affairs, warned the Canadian media The National Post that “the changes will be gradual due to contracts already signed for billions.”
Canadawhich pledged to raise its defense spending to five percent of GDP by 2035 in line with the I’LL TAKEthus seeks to reposition itself in an environment that Carney describes it as a breakdown of the traditional order.
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