Thank you so much.
Streamlined and flexible procurement is necessary for the successful and timely delivery of modern capabilities. We have more work to do to create a more efficient and more effective procurement process. What I have asked of my department is that we continue to do that work to make sure we are expending existing allocated funding and that we contemplate what might be necessary in the defence policy update in terms of human resources, because we need to grow as the Canadian Armed Forces and in our capabilities.
What you are seeing is deliverables from the Department of National Defence. The Arctic offshore patrol ships are an example. The signing of the contract for 88 future fighters is an example. The procurement of urgent operational requirements that I just outlined is another example. Moving forward on the design of the Canadian service combatants is another example.
These large procurements take time. They also require individuals who have expertise in procurement. What we are seeing is a growing need for more and more experts in procurement so that we can move multiple projects forward at the same time, and that is what the department is working on as we speak.