CANADA: Stepped-Up Defense

Canada’s Defense Minister Brooke Claxton last week told the House of Commons how his country will step up its defense program:

¶ In the next three years Canada will spend $5 billion, 10% of her national income,* on defense.

¶ The army (current strength: 65,000) will be increased to 115,000, with a 5,000-man army brigade group posted to Western Europe. The army will change over entirely to U.S. weapons, send all its remaining stocks of British-type equipment to arm four European divisions.

¶ The Air Force will be increased from eight regular and eleven reserve squadrons to 40 squadrons, with eleven squadrons and 6,000 men ticketed for Western Europe.

¶ The Navy (current strength: 10,000 men, 40 ships) will double its manpower and build up a force of 100 ships for anti-submarine and escort duty.

*Current U.S. budget calls for spending $74.6 billion during the next two years, 14% of the national income.