Thank you.
I can absolutely echo what the deputy minister is saying. Our adversaries are advancing in their technologies at a very rapid pace. At the moment, both China and Russia have fifth-generation fighter aircraft and fifth-generation missiles, which are able to go at much greater speeds and with much more lethality and are putting western allies at risk at this moment in time.
Therefore, the sooner Canada is able to transform to a fifth-generation air force.... I'll note that even though the term “fifth generation” is associated with the advanced technology of certain fighter aircraft, it's also going to apply to some of the other aircraft we are procuring in Canada. When we think about the weaponry and the different missiles and weapons that will be acquired, these will also be usable for the P-8 Poseidon for maritime surveillance and the MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft system, which are very important.
For us, that is a key focus as we transform, and it also speaks to the security requirements that are simply different with this kind of advanced technology, which is necessary to effectively and credibly deter our adversaries.