Originally Posted by
Wensleydale
Canada no longer participates in the NAEW&C Force.
or does it....In 2011, Canada
decided to withdraw from the NATO AWACS program. The official reason behind this decision was to save money
($50 million a year). However, it is speculated that Canada withdrew from the program because of a lack of recognition displayed by its NATO allies. In February 2018, Canada
rejoined the program. In July, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced at the NATO Summit that Canada will provide up to
25 personnel over the next five years to the program.
This promise has still not materialized. Thus far, Canada rejoined the program at the
entry level where it is focused on funding the program’s operations rather than personal contributions. Jessica Lamirande, the National Defence spokeswoman,
said: “Canada did not regain access to AWACS-related industrial benefits for modernization and upgrade when it re-engaged with the program. The fleet modernization will continue to be the responsibility of the programme’s current 16 members, who will retain all of the industrial benefits associated with the programme. However, Canadian industry has regained eligibility to compete for contracts related to the operations and maintenance of the AWACS.”
Canada should consider fully rejoining the NATO AWACS program in order to display capability and receive related benefits. Canada should also consider procuring its own AEW&C aircraft. Countries all around the world such as
Mexico, Thailand, or Chile possess their own AEW&C aircraft. If Canada wants to catch up to other countries and be able to successfully monitor its massive coastline, then it should consider acquiring several AEW&C aircraft. The most ideal AEW&C aircraft to procure would be the
2009 Boeing 737 AEW&C which is the spiritual successor of the obsolete E-3 Sentry and is used, for example, by the
Royal Australian Air Force. Canada’s current lack of AEW&C aircraft leaves a major gap in the country’s defences – one that should be filled before it is exploited.
from here -
Canada?s Relationship to NATO Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) ? NAOC