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Many studies in recent years have documented the
decline of the Canadian Forces (CF). This publication addresses
one of the ways by which the CF can be rebuilt: by acquiring what
military planners call "strategic lift." Because Canada is
isolated by wide oceans from most of the trouble spots of the
world and because Canada has no overseas bases, if the CF are to
be deployed abroad, whether to fight wars or to engage in
humanitarian actions, they must be sent there from home soil. To
get where they are needed in theatres overseas, strategic lift is
necessary. Tactical lift - mostly by air - refers to the ability
to move around in a given theatre. The argument that Canada can
rent a strategic lift capability when it is needed is examined
and found wanting. It is our position that Crown assets, not
rent-a-ship or rent-a-plane programs, are needed. A second
premise is that existing assets, an aging fleet of aircraft and
ships with limited capabilities, will have to be replaced in the
near future. If they are not, even if Canada develops the finest
infantry in the world or the most lethal frigates ever to sail
the seven seas, it will be unable to use them anywhere but at
home. Under such circumstances, Canada may well have to
relinquish the pretence of a foreign policy since it will have
nothing to back it but words.
In this publication, we examine the major options available both
for sealift and for airlift. The airlift needs can best be met,
we think, by purchasing a mix of C-17 Globemaster III aircraft
and C-130J Hercules. The sealift mix is more complex. The recent
announcement of a replacement for the auxiliary oiler and
replenishment ships (AORs) is a start; but additional ships and
decisions regarding the future of the Navy in joint operations
with the Army will condition the kind of vessels needed. Our
discussion of sealift lays out the options and the implications
of specific choices.
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