Most Popular Books by michael byers

"There are many reasons to be concerned about the F-35, including its still incomplete and unproven character, its relatively slow speed and limited manoeuvrability, and the considerable cost risks associated with its acquisition, operation and sustainment. This report focuses on just one reason for concern. ... The F-35 has only one engine. This fact alone renders it problematic for use in Canada''s Arctic and extensive maritime zones"--

In December 2005, then opposition leader Stephen Harper promised "three new heavy naval ice breakers" and "a new combined military civilian deep water docking facility in the Iqaluit region." However, since Mr. Harper became Prime Minister in February 2006, the project has repeatedly been delayed. It now seems possible that he could leave office before a construction contract for new Arctic vessels is signed. Furthermore, the "three heavy naval ice breakers" have been scaled back to "Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ships" (A/OPS) -- essentially, vessels that are supposed to combine the coastal patrol role of the existing, inadequate and soon-to-be-decommissioned Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels (MC DVs) with a new security role in the Arctic. Unfortunately, the result is a compromise ship that is not very good at either role.

"In June 2010, the Harper government announced the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy (NSPS), a long-term plan to renew the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) fleets. It projected a cost of $35 billion for replacement vessels, plus refit-and-repair work amounting to an additional $500 million annually. ... In November 2013, the Auditor General of Canada reported that the full cost of the NSPS would be approximately $105 billion.7 This higher figure included 30 years of life-cycle costs, such as salaries, fuel, and ammunition. Life-cycle costs are necessarily approximate since the price of fuel and other commodities can fluctuate, and unexpected technological advances can require updates to communication, sensor and weapon systems. The Auditor General did not examine the accuracy of the Harper government''s projected acquisition costs"--pages 5-6.