Canada considering international bases: MacKay

Interesting.... I wonder if they will open Germany up again...

Cool. Expanding the Canadian influence can only be a good thing.

-J.

Soooo, let me get this straight.

We don't have enough budget to properly equip our forces.

We don't have enough budget to expand our current forces on current bases.

But! We magically have the budget to contemplate international bases on foreign soil.

Wow.

Maybe we should get our house in order before we try our hand on other lots?

Agreed. I'm sure having Bases properly dispersed around the Globe has a lot of utility, but the Cost just doesn't make sense IMO. Secure the North, Expand/Equip the Military within fiscal reason, but don't start a costly policy just for some potential future convenience or to just look like a Playa.

How about we get that arctic port up and running first?

IMHO, there are other things that should be higher priority.

You and Sandorski need to read the article better.
They are negotiating space for bases in the event we have another international operation. Despite the CBC spin this is an excellent idea so that we don't end up stabbed in the back because we aren't handing out landing rights to every tinpot dictator.

You and Sandorski need to read the article better.
They are negotiating space for bases in the event we have another international operation. Despite the CBC spin this is an excellent idea so that we don't end up stabbed in the back because we aren't handing out landing rights to every tinpot dictator.

Wait, I should have read the article first?

First time for everything.

Is this a step Canada really wants to take? We have in the past been viewed an honest broker although that vision is becoming very fuzzy to others. This could be another step in what could be viewed by others with axes to grind as creeping Imperialism. Given the extent the US & the UK have foreign outposts Canada could look like an extension of that foreign policy.

Nothing wrong with looking and taking from preparatory steps should there come a time that we need the use of such facilities. I'm generally in agreement that we should probably take some time to restructure and shore up everything at home first before even considering foreign bases but looking won't hurt.

I think I completely glossed over that part due to my distaste for states that project power needlessly...

I don't personally like where this is going.

Our government is making decision that may not represent what Canadians at large want.

Step 1: Decide if we are peace keepers or peace makers.

Step 2: Structure our military to suit chosen role (+ defense obviously)

Step 3: Go from there. <- this is where discussions on international base access should come in.

Nothing related to the article, but my gut tells me welcome to USA lite.

The way things are going, the US will be USA lite pretty quickly as they run out of money and have to recall their legions. And without our protector to back us up, we ain't gonna do much power projecting of our own.

How about putting forces up in the Arctic before you start looking overseas. The Chinese want 20% of the arctic, the Russians are saying most of it is their whether it is under their territory or not, unless of course you want to get as F up as we are.