I'm aware that this committee has heard testimony from a number of our senior officials, including the former CDS, about the operational readiness of many of our fleets. He has provided you with the information and insight that many of our vehicles—for example, our tanks, our artillery—are in an unsatisfactory state of repair. We recognize that. We heard that request very clearly.
That's why in ONSAF and in the 2024 budget we asked for the money that is required to maintain those fleets. We have to make sure that our people can do their job, but that they can also do it safely. That's why this money is important. We recognize and acknowledge that the Canadian Armed Forces told us they needed help in maintaining their existing equipment, and we've come forward with money to do that.
There's also money, as I mentioned, for maintaining the Halifax fleet. Until the new destroyers are built, we're going to have to remain operational, and we can't do that unless we maintain those frigates. Money to maintain our existing fleets is every bit as important as the money that we're asking for in new capital acquisitions.