National Defence committee  Thanks, sir. I again would emphasize the fact that the LAV III is the centre of our mechanized portion of our army. It's a great vehicle because, as Mr. Moretti said, our soldiers have confidence in the LAV III. The upgrade contract has been signed. There are vehicles in Edmont

National Defence committee  We want to keep the same staff level in the Canadian Forces, except in the reserve force, where we are trying to bring the complement up to 20,000 from its current level of 17,000.

National Defence committee  Thank you very much, sir. Perhaps I could deal with both of those questions at the same time. There is a need to exercise presence and sovereignty, and to train, to achieve a level of readiness in our north. The army takes that very seriously. There are at least two significant

National Defence committee  Could I emphasize one more point from a soldier's point of view? As you jump on the back of an airframe today, as you jump on the back of a Chinook helicopter flown by Canadians, you'll probably see the regimental banner of the soldiers who are operating alongside our air force

National Defence committee  Thank you. Changes in strength always occur subsequent to recruitment and military personnel retiring from the forces. We balance our strategic intake with an attrition rate. At the present time, the rate is about 7%, I believe. However, in terms of the staff complement, we do

National Defence committee  Perfect. So we deal with those adjustments, which affects how much time we have in the field and the level of training we achieve.

National Defence committee  Are you talking about—

National Defence committee  I'm not sure I understand your question.

National Defence committee  Thank you very much, sir. The army alongside the Canadian Forces spends a fair bit of energy scanning for the characteristics of the battlefields of tomorrow to be able to identify and challenge those types of characteristics. I think we have maintained a level of integration in

National Defence committee  That's an awesome point; a great point. The army and the air force are closer than we have ever been, certainly since I have been in uniform. I think the real key is tied to respect in that there is a very healthy respect among soldiers and airmen and airwomen. On the aviation

National Defence committee  Thank you. As I'm sure you know, I am incredibly proud of Canadian soldiers. The LAV III is a fantastic vehicle. It provides a rare level of protection. It provides good firepower and good mobility. The upgraded LAV III will have more protection, a stronger drivetrain, and a st

National Defence committee  I am not sure I understood your question.

National Defence committee  Thank you for your question. I would like to make two points quickly, if you don't mind. I believe that Lieutenant-General Leslie's views and my own are quite similar. He said that this was an option that warrants further study. I respect that view, but I think there are great

National Defence committee  Thank you, sir. The counter improvised explosive device threat is a threat that lives today and I'm sure will live tomorrow. We pay huge attention to that because it kills Canadians and it kills our allies. It kills those whom we work with, like the Afghan National Army, the Afg

National Defence committee  Thank you for your question. You are talking about—