Canada's defense spending on upswing.

• Position: Brief Article

Canada's top priority in its defense budget is the war on terrorism, officials said. As a result the emphasis is to invest in technologies to make Canadian and U.S. forces more interoperable. Canada's warships, for example, are able to integrate into U.S. aircraft carrier battlegroups. According to Canadian Defense Attache Rear Adm. Ian Mack, Canadian vessels can serve as U.S. Navy escorts. This played a large part in Canada's early participation in Operation Enduring Freedom, in Afghanistan.

Canada's defense budget is approximately $7 billion. About $1.2 billion of that, or 18 percent, is spent on new equipment. Strategy 2020, Canada's version of the Pentagon's Quadrennial Defense Review, wants procurement spending to increase to 23 percent, said Mack. Late last year, the Canadian government introduced a new budget that added $750 million in new funding to pay for anti-terrorism efforts.

Canadian Defense Procurement Priorities

Air Force

Current Weapons System

H-46 Search and Rescue Helicopters

Sea King

C-130 Hercules

C-130 and A310 POLARIS

Airbus 310

Possible Replacement

EH-101 Comorant

EH-101, Cougar 11, S-92, NH 10

comprehensive update of cockpit

Strategic airlift aircraft

Air Refuelers

Navy

Current Weapons System

Auxiliary Oiler and Replenishment Ships

Halifax-Class Frigate

Iroquois Class Destroyers

Replacement Project

Possible Replacement

Complete upgrade (Afloat Logistics and Sealift Capability Project)

Complete upgrade (Frigate Life Extension Project)

Complete Upgrade (Command and Control and Area Air Defense

Army

Areas of U.S. and Canadian cooperative exchange areas (proposed and established)

Missiles, defensive aid suites, vetronics, immersive visualization, robotics, advanced soldier systems, unmanned aircraft...