They were perhaps the most promising four days in the recent history of the Canadian Forces. During late June the government announced its plans to purchase approximately $17.1 billion worth of new equipment and services to update and strengthen the CF’s capabilities.

Minister of National Defence Gordon O’Connor was joined by Chief of Defence Staff General Rick Hillier on what was essentially a touring road show of good news for the Canadian military. First up was the announcement made in Halifax of three new joint support ships for the navy, then the duo went to Canadian Forces Base Valcartier, Que., to announce the purchase of 2,300 new medium-weight trucks, then onto Edmonton where they announced a fleet of 16 medium-heavy lift helicopters and finally to CFB Trenton, Ont., where the big announcement of four new long-range strategic lift aircraft and 17 shorter range tactical lift aircraft.

Though most of the equipment deliveries will take place in the longer term, the support ships aren’t expected until 2012 for example, there was some urgency noted for a couple of the contracts, such as the strategic airlift, which could arrive within two years.

And it is the purchase of the four strategic lift aircraft which is perhaps the biggest news for the CF. This will mean, for example, that Canada’s Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) will be able to get to disaster areas much more rapidly than before.

“With a strategic airlift capability of our own, we will no longer have to borrow from our allies or contract commercial aircraft, two options that come with strings attached,” said O’Connor at CFB Trenton.

According to the CF, the need for strategic airlift is considered urgent. It is for this reason, among others, that the CF appears to be favouring the purchase of the C-17 Globemaster, produced by Boeing. It is thought that the first planes may be delivered within two years. The estimated total project cost for this strategic lift aircraft is $1.8 billion, plus an estimated contract value of $1.6 billion for 20 years of support.

The other addition to the CF is the medium- to heavy-lift helicopters, which will be particularly useful in Afghanistan. The CF formerly had this capability until its CH-47 Chinook helicopters were sold to the Dutch armed forces in the 1990s. Troops currently on the ground in and around Kandahar have to rely on allied helicopter lift, which isn’t always available. As a result, the soldiers end up running supply convoys across hazardous territory, exposing themselves to ambush, mines and roadside bombs.

The most likely helicopter purchase is a new version of the CH-47 Chinook. Buying some off-the-shelf models from the U.S. military could result in the helicopters being in service within the year. The estimated total project cost for this aircraft acquisition is $2 billion, plus an estimated contract value of $2.7 billion for 20 years of service and support.

The purchase of new tactical airlift is essentially seen as a replacement for the aging fleet of C-130 Hercules planes now in service with the CF. The most likely replacement is a newer version of the Hercules. The estimated total cost for the tactical airlift is $3.2 billion, plus an estimated contract value of $1.7 billion for 20 years of support to be carried out by Canadian industry.

In another relatively new development, the new Joint Service Support ships may well end up being much more capable than the 35-year-old Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) they will replace. In addition to the core capabilities of the navy’s current replenishment ships, the new support ships will also support CF operations ashore through additional features, including: roll-on roll-off of cargo; the operation of three to four maritime helicopters per ship; work and living space for additional personnel, over and above the standard crew of up to 165 people; and capability to navigate in first-year arctic ice. Though much remains to be seen, there is the possibility that these ships could be used to move heavy equipment and forces into hotspots around the world.

The overall project cost is $2.9 billion. This includes a base cost of $2.1 billion, plus an estimated $800 million in contracted service and support over 20 years. In accordance with Canadian shipbuilding policy the Joint Support ships will be built in Canada.

The final newly announced purchase is the 2,300 new medium-sized logistics trucks. The project aims to procure approximately 1,500 standard vehicles with up to 300 load-handling system companion trailers; 800 commercial vehicles adapted for military use; 1,000 specially equipped vehicles kits (such as mobile kitchens, offices and medical or dental stations); and 300 armour protection systems. The overall cost is $1.1 billion and it is estimated that 20 years of contracted service and support will cost an additional $100 million.

With the ball rolling on these major equipment purchases, the CF’s leaders are beginning to see a very promising future.

“The bottom line quite frankly is the government is delivering. As a soldier I’m delighted. (It is the) first time in my 25-year career I have seen this amount of money and growth in personnel coming our way,” said Lieutenant-General Andrew Leslie, chief of the land staff. “Quite frankly, I think we’re getting an armed forces looking out over the next couple of years that Canada deserves.”