National Defence committee  As of yesterday, I was informed that we are ahead of the timeline anticipated for delivery of the Asterix.

National Defence committee  Sorry. Could you just rephrase your question one more time?

National Defence committee  As I indicated in my opening comments, I had the opportunity to visit a number of industries that will likely bid on this request for proposal. I was there to talk about what it is we're responsible for, which is the requirement. We have worked, as I indicated, at great length to ensure that a requirement is defensible.

National Defence committee  Is that for the overall percentage in dollar value?

National Defence committee  That's a fantastic question. There are a couple of things. I'll go back to “threat” in terms of capability and intent. If a nation has intent but no capability, then you can deal with it. If a nation has significant capability and potentially no intent, how do you continue to monitor that over the fullness of time?

National Defence committee  It's important to understand and appreciate that in the Royal Canadian Navy, one of our strengths is diversity. In terms of where we need to go to be more successful, about a month and a half ago I was taking a look at the senior staff of the Royal Canadian Navy. I looked out into the audience and I said, “This is not the reflection of Canada.

National Defence committee  I think the interim AOR, first and foremost, is a recognition of the navy and the government embracing innovation. Going through the entire process of procuring a ship takes time, and it's problematic, because as I indicated in my opening comments, right now we're currently undertaking the largest recapitalization of the Royal Canadian Navy in its peacetime history.

National Defence committee  We have an extraordinary submarine capability. As I indicated when I was here last, very few Canadians appreciate the fact that some of the western world's most advanced technologies are in our submarines. That's a tremendous capability they provide to that system of systems. That's why when NATO looks to conduct operations, it's extraordinarily happy to have our submarines participate in that activity.

National Defence committee  I'll let Casper provide the dates in terms of the specifics of—

National Defence committee  Regarding the interim AOR, they're currently working on that. I was informed yesterday that we're about 10% ahead of schedule. Having said that, I'll probably jinx us. The goal right now is to have that capability, and ideally it will be operational towards the end of next year.

National Defence committee  The end of 2017 is when we anticipate that interim AOR being available for operations with the navy. That's correct.

National Defence committee  The way you frame the question speaks to the threat. It's an understanding of what's taking place in our areas of responsibility. To go back to that system of systems, it's not just about the Arctic: it's about understanding what's taking place above, on, and below the seas in terms of the vast maritime estates with which Canada has been blessed.

National Defence committee  No.

National Defence committee  Of course we do. We have that. We've done a lot of work over the last several years to get our best understanding of what the government policy is and what the requirements are to deliver on that policy. There is analysis that substantiates the largest recapitalization of the Royal Canadian Navy in its peacetime history.

National Defence committee  In terms of commerce, there are eight choke points around the world. The lifeblood of nations' economies flows through those choke points. The statistic that we use in Leadmark 2050 is that on any given day, Canadian Tire has a third of its inventory on the high seas. Globally there's a recognition that this needs to be safeguarded and ensured.