Canada Faces Pressure to Boost Defense Spending as Poland Rapidly Modernizes Military
OTTAWA – While Poland undertakes a massive military modernization effort-including significant arms purchases from the United States like Apache attack helicopters, HIMARS mobile rocket artillery, and Patriot missile defence systems-Canada is grappling with reviews of its own key defence acquisitions, raising questions about its ability to keep pace with evolving security threats and allied commitments. Poland’s deliberate strategy, openly acknowledged by its leaders, is to maintain a strong relationship with the Trump administration through these substantial purchases.
The contrast highlights a growing disparity in defence investment between the two NATO allies. Poland is consciously choosing to invest heavily in American-made military equipment, a decision driven by political considerations, while Canada is re-evaluating its planned purchase of 88 F-35 stealth fighters and other projects, potentially shifting towards European suppliers to address domestic political sensitivities.This divergence raises the critical question of how, and at what cost, canada can accelerate its own defence modernization to meet NATO obligations and ensure its military remains equipped for future challenges.
Poland’s recent procurement spree represents a significant shift in its defence posture, spurred by the war in ukraine and a perceived need to bolster its security on its border with Russia and Belarus. The contry’s leaders have explicitly linked these purchases to maintaining a positive relationship with a potential future U.S. administration.
Canada,however,is currently reviewing its planned $75 billion acquisition of F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin. This review, alongside potential political hurdles surrounding purchases like P-8 surveillance planes and HIMARS, underscores a tension between acquiring the most capable equipment and satisfying a domestic electorate that has been led to believe Canada will diversify its military hardware sources.
According to procurement expert Alan Williams, who previously headed the purchasing branch of the Defence Department, the primary focus should remain on capability. “As a bureaucrat, my objective would be: I will buy the best product no matter where it comes from,” Williams said. “If it’s from the U.S., I’m not going to say no because there’s a hate on with Trump. I would buy it there. If the government has a different policy framework for that, I would abide by it. That’s their decision and it’s a political decision.”
Currently, Canada spends roughly 1.39% of its GDP on defence, falling short of the NATO target of 2%. Poland, in contrast, is rapidly increasing its defence spending, aiming to reach 4% of GDP by 2024. Closing this gap will require substantial and sustained investment, potentially necessitating arduous choices regarding budgetary priorities and procurement strategies. The ongoing reviews of major defence projects, coupled with the political considerations influencing those decisions, present a significant challenge to Canada’s ability to modernize its military and maintain its credibility as a key NATO ally.
