By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Canada has finalized negotiations to join the European Union’s military purchasing fund, a move aimed at bolstering defense spending and reducing reliance on the United States. As part of the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program, Canada will be able to participate in joint weapons purchases with EU countries, opening up opportunities for Canadian companies to bid on contracts. While the exact entrance fee remains undisclosed, it is expected to be in the millions of dollars. This partnership marks a significant shift in Canada’s approach to national security and could provide “billions of dollars in potential defence opportunities for Canadian businesses” .
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Canada reaches deal to join EU military procurement fund; that’s the headline, and it’s a significant move, especially considering the current geopolitical climate. It’s hard not to think about the long-term implications, especially with the US, and it seems like a smart strategy to diversify partnerships, particularly in the realm of defense. The idea of having multiple allies, both economically and militarily, just makes sense in today’s world.
Of course, the success of this agreement hinges on a few key factors. Primarily, will the EU give Canada a fair shake? Will they genuinely open doors for Canadian contractors, or will the contracts predominantly favor European companies? This fund, after all, is something you invest in, not a guaranteed win. There are already whispers of France pushing for their own companies to benefit, which is understandable, but could potentially undermine the whole point of the partnership.
Thinking strategically, Canada should consider working closely with Ukraine on drone technology. Both countries share a commonality with potentially troublesome neighbors, and advanced drone capabilities could become crucial. Building up a substantial drone arsenal could be a very smart move, especially given the evolving nature of modern warfare. It’s also worth noting the critical training Canada has been providing to Ukrainian forces since before the war started, and has continued since. This includes lessons learned about what has and hasn’t been working for them that could be applied to our own.
The US is an ally, but let’s be honest, there’s always an element of uncertainty with them, particularly concerning military equipment. Canada can’t depend on them for everything. An American administration could shift its priorities dramatically, impacting our own defense strategies. This is especially true given the US’s protectionist tendencies.
In the realm of defense, America’s approach can be a gamble. They have a history of creating situations where they can fight wars, and to do that they must stay militarily relevant. Their technological advancements have been driven by conflicts, and with the rise of drone technology, the landscape is rapidly changing. It’s a very different world from aircraft carriers and submarines.
With all that said, diversifying Canada’s defense portfolio makes perfect sense. There’s a real chance to procure some great European military gear, and that’s a good thing. With a focus on military spending, there are many opportunities to be taken. And of course, Canada has some of the finest quality soldiers, who deserve the funding and equipment.
The prospect of relying too heavily on the US for military gear is starting to look less and less appealing. Considering how long it would take to acquire some of these assets, this is very important. Then, there’s the ongoing question of which fighter jet Canada should go with: the F-35 or the Gripen. The Gripen is an option that makes sense; a domestically produced contract would be ideal.
Manned fighters will be on their way out if not replaced with drones anyway. Why waste money on a fighter that has lots of down time, is incredibly expensive to maintain, and has features that could potentially be shut down remotely?
Then again, the EU is a slower-moving machine. Some might say that the entire thing is just for optics, and real action could take ages to materialize. Even if there are some great planes involved, they will be fighting over the same contracts for ages until someone asks where the product is.
And that Gripen engine? It’s American-made. Which means a dependence on American suppliers, again. Even if it is domestic, it has an American component. Building a fighter jet is no simple task, and the engine is the toughest part. As the technology continues to develop, a smart defense strategy will need to be flexible and forward-thinking.