Rakivic Rakivic:
Even 3rd why did we down grade it?....size wise
It's still impressive from a technological stand point but it lacks the size to be a world player like it was.
Well, the initial downgrade was because the war was over. There wasn't a real need for all the left over corvettes.
And THAT is really what gave the numbers for our Navy. And although corvettes were used for North Atlantic convoy duty, they weren't really meant to be deep ocean going vessels. They're meant more for coastal waters.
I believe the late 50's and the 60's were the height of our Navy. It wasn't as large as it was during WW2, but what we DID have impressed many US Navy personnel that did exchanges with the Canadian Navy.
The further erosion of the Navy and the forces in general came from deciding between social programs or an up to date, fully equipped military. I don't imagine it's easy finidng an effective balance between the two.
That and the idea that our military would be used as peace-keepers instead of an offensive force. If yer not worried about offence, yer not gonna need all those ships, and tanks, and planes, and personnel. Although considering the naval heritage of coastal Canada, and all the ocean that surrounds us, it ill behooves us to NOT have a navy with some numbers to it. And subs that can submerge without serious leaking or catching fire would be just mint too.
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