Skip to Content Subscribe Our Offers My Account Manage My Subscriptions FAQ Newsletters Canada Canadian True Crime Canadian Politics Health World Israel & Middle East Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Comics NP News Quiz New York Times Crossword Horoscopes Life Eating & Drinking Style Sponsored Play for Ontario Travel Travel Canada Travel USA Travel International Cruises Travel Essentials Culture Books Celebrity Movies Music Theatre Television Business Essentials Advice Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Buy Canadian Home Living Outdoor Living Tech Style & Beauty Kitchen & Dining Personal Care Entertainment & Hobbies Gift Guide Travel Guide Deals Savings National Post Store More Sports Hockey Baseball Basketball Football Soccer Golf Tennis Driving Vehicle Research Reviews News Gear Guide Obituaries Place an Obituary Place an In Memoriam Classifieds Place an Ad Celebrations Working Business Ads Archives Healthing Epaper Manage Print Subscription Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ Newsletters Canada World Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Life Shopping Epaper Manage Print Subscription HomeNP CommentJohn Ivison: Canada’s military isn't buying into Carney's 'buy Canadian' planJust because a prime minister is keen on something, it does not automatically follow that it is going to happenLast updated 15 minutes ago You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.Prime Minister Mark Carney and Minister of National Defence David McGuinty arrive for an announcement in the hangar aboard HMCS Margaret Brooke at HMC Dockyard in Halifax, March 26, 2026. Photo by TIM KROCHAK/PostmediaThe decision by the Trump administration to “reassess” the value of the Second World War-era Permanent Joint Board of Defence (PJBD) points to a confusion of ideas.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorIn his January speech in Davos, Prime Minister Mark Carney claimed that “hegemons (like the U.S.) cannot continually monetize their relationships,” as he announced a plan to double defence spending and partner with the European Union to diversify procurement.The White House’s response suggests President Trump believes he can indefinitely intimidate his erstwhile allies into buying American defence systems. It is not a huge leap of logic to suggest the move to pull out of the PJBD is linked to speculation that Canada might not, after all, buy 88 Lockheed-Martin F-35 fighter jets.This newsletter from NP Comment tackles the topics you care about. (Subscriber-exclusive edition on Fridays)By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againThe implicit threat is that, if it does not, Norad is next on the chopping block.Carney has repeatedly expressed the desire to reduce Canada’s reliance on U.S. military equipment, setting a target of 70 per cent of spending directed toward Canadian companies, from 43 per cent at the moment. The government set up the arm’s-length Defence Investment Agency to implement the new policy.But there are emerging signs that, just because a prime minister is keen on something, it does not automatically follow that it is going to happen. As Yes Minister’s cynical Sir Humphrey pointed out: “Neville Chamberlain was keen on peace.”In this case, the Canadian Defence Department appears to have misplaced, or even ignored, the memo about diversifying abroad.The government has put out to tender the latest round of a multi-phase ground-based air defence contract that could be worth up to $5 billion.A number of European and American companies that manufacture missile interceptor systems are rumoured to have bid, including Germany’s DIEHL; the multinational European company MBDA; Saab; and Raytheon, which is pitching an Americanized version of Israel’s Iron Dome system.One industry source said the feeling among “multiple Europeans” is that the process is masquerading as a competition, with the requirements tailored by the Department of National Defence so that only one supplier can win: the U.S. company, Raytheon.It remains to be seen if those suspicions are justified, but a contract that has already been awarded — at least according to the Americans — suggests it is business as usual for the militaries and industry on both sides of the border.The Pentagon published a notice at the end of April, picked up by Radio-Canada, which suggested Canada has purchased $1.1-billion worth of Lockheed Martin’s M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).There has been no official word from Ottawa and there is speculation a public statement was shelved just before the publication of the Defence Industrial Strategy, which sent the 70 per cent domestic procurement target.I sent emails to three government departments seeking confirmation — the Defence Investment Agency, Public Services and Procurement, and the Department of National Defence — to no avail. The DIA punted the answer to DND, which is interesting in itself, given it is now the procurement lead. The fact is, we remain over-reliant on the U.S., regardless of the political will, and with an administration that a new report suggests is “overtly” supporting efforts to break up Canada.DND announced this week that it is extending existing contracts with Lockheed Martin for maintenance and upgrades for the CC-130J Hercules transport-aircraft fleet until 2029. The two contracts are worth an additional $1.1 billion.What it all suggests is that Carney’s talk of “increasing options,” “buying insurance” and “rebuilding sovereignty” will remain lofty rhetoric as long as Canadian military officials resist his political direction.National Post Get the latest from John Ivison straight to your inbox Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. 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