2 LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS TO ENHANCE THE CANADIAN ARMED FORCES’ CAPABILITIES AND CAPACITY TO SUPPORT PEACE AND SECURITY The scale of our re-investment in the Canadian Armed Forces is significant. This long-term investment is meant to modernize, renew and restore this vital national institution and provide our women and men in uniform with the modern tools they need to succeed in – and return home safely from – operations. In their valour, competence, compassion and humanitarianism, this country’s sailors, soldiers, and airwomen and men exemplify the best of what it means to be Canadian. They bear the standard for our country abroad, in supporting peace and security, and at home, in times of natural disaster. They shoulder the interlinked burdens of keeping us safe, promoting our values, and helping make the world a better place. For all these reasons, Canadians want a military that is agile, highly trained, superbly equipped, capable and professional. This policy delivers exactly that. To ensure the Canadian Armed Forces has the people and capabilities it needs to succeed, the Government of Canada is committed to the largest defence modernization effort in decades. This policy contains a comprehensive and funded plan to invest in key emerging domains while simultaneously recapitalizing the core capabilities of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army, and the Royal Canadian Air Force. The investments in equipment and materiel necessary to underwrite Canada’s future force will match the significant investment in its personnel. The Royal Canadian Navy will acquire 15 Canadian Surface Combatant ships to replace its existing frigates and retired destroyers. This policy now provides the full funding for all 15 ships; this will be one of the largest acquisitions in Canadian shipbuilding history and makes up a core part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). The Canadian Army will undergo a recapitalization of much of its land combat capabilities and its aging vehicle fleets while modernizing its command and control systems. Additionally, it will expand its light forces capability which will allow it to be more adaptable in complex operational theatres. The Canadian Armed Forces will grow by 3,500 (to 71,500 total) military personnel. This will allow us to expand in important areas such space and cyber, intelligence and targeting, and support to the health and welfare of military personnel. These investments will provide the necessary flexibility to enable the Canadian Armed Forces to operate across the spectrum of conflict, enable interoperability with Canada’s allies, and maintain an operational advantage over the threats of today and tomorrow. 33