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From: shindman@utcs.UUCP (Paul Shindman)
Newsgroups: can.politics
Subject: Re: Canada's defence : Doesn't anyone care?
Message-ID: <835@utcs.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 19-Aug-85 18:00:27 EDT
Article-I.D.: utcs.835
Posted: Mon Aug 19 18:00:27 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 19-Aug-85 18:41:50 EDT
References: <833@utcs.UUCP>
Reply-To: shindman@utcs.UUCP (Paul Shindman)
Distribution: can
Organization: University of Toronto - General Purpose UNIX
Lines: 34
Summary: 



This is actually an interesting issue, and somewhat timely (well, a
little late is close enuff) with respect to the CF-18 fighter aircraft.

Whilst listening to Peter Gzowski one morning (oops...please, no CBC
flames!) he was interviewing some ex-armed forces officer who had
the following (abridged, of course) observation:  For the several
billion dollars that the feds spent on re-equipping the CAF with
the CF-18s, they could have entirely re-equipped the ground forces
and militia with up to date equipment.

If you know anybody in the militia, you know how bad their equipment
is (ofter circa Korean War vintage).  The other point this gent made
was that Canada's NATO committment could have been made with ground
air-defences, not with aircraft. Apparently the CAF has next to nothing
in the way of modern anti-aircraft weaponry.

So the $n billion spent on the CF-18 could have bought new trucks, and
jeeps, and bullets (so the guys don't have to yell "bang-bang" when
on manouvers...) to practice with.  In time of emergency (earthquake,
tornado...pick your scenario) one of the local medical reserve
battalions here in Toronto would have a tough time getting more than
one or two vehicles rolling.

It seems to me that defence-wise we don't seem to get a good return
on the tax dollar spent on the CF-18.

Comments? Flames?
-- 
-----------------
Paul Shindman, U of T Computing Services, Toronto (416) 978-6878
USENET: {ihnp4|decvax}!utcs!shindman
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