Defence Investment Plan 2018 | Message from the Deputy Minister of National Defence and the Chief of the Defence Staff

Last year, the Government of Canada issued Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged. This policy supports a healthy, highly motivated, and skilled military force of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and airwomen who are ready and able to defend Canada and Canadian interests at home and abroad.

The policy also provides for the necessary investments to guarantee and enhance the capabilities and capacity of the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces over the coming decades. It is a vision the Defence Team is fully engaged in realizing.

For the very first time, Canadians have a first-hand look at how the funds to deliver this policy will be used, and a view of how Defence is planning these investments. This is a significant improvement in the transparency of the defence budget, and gives Canadian taxpayers the opportunity to see for themselves that their investments in Canada’s defence and security are being well spent. It is a rigorously costed policy, to ensure the Canadian Armed Forces’ requirements will be met, and the proud women and men who serve in our Forces will succeed in their missions.

As promised in Strong, Secure, Engaged, Defence Investment Plan 2018 includes capital projects over $5 million as well as services contracts over $20 million. It also incorporates information about the long-range spending plans of National Defence, which were previously provided in the Defence Acquisition Guide, and are now available in the online Defence Capabilities Blueprint. With more and easier access to information, businesses will be able to make informed investments in research and development, and strategic partnership decisions based on the Canadian Armed Forces’ anticipated needs.

This plan also provides crucial planning direction to guide the major investments that will strengthen the Forces’ ability to carry out its mandate, and improve the Department’s ability to deliver affordable programs while ensuring valuable resources are focused on vital initiatives that protect Canada and Canadians.

This carefully crafted and comprehensive investment plan will ensure the Canadian Armed Forces remain ready and able to take on the missions the Government of Canada asks of it, and has the necessary resources to get the job done, whatever the assignment.