Ottawa to spend up to $477M on U.S. military satellites (spokesman, Afghanistan)

[GTOlover]

OTTAWA — The federal government is planning to spend as much as $477-million to participate in a U.S.-led military satellite program that has been subject to delays and cost overruns over the past decade, Postmedia News has learned.

The Wideband Global Satellite system has been advertised by the U.S. Defense Department as a communications system for “U.S. warfighters, allies and coalition partners during all levels of conflict, short of nuclear war.”
The idea is to have as many as nine military satellites hovering over different parts of the world, ready to provide high-frequency bandwidth for U.S. and allied forces wherever they may be operating.

Daniel Blouin, a spokesman for Canada’s Department of National Defence, said the Canadian Forces has identified improved communication capabilities as a necessity.

“After Afghanistan and Libya, our efforts in those two countries have proven that the exchange of information between headquarters and deployed elements is critical to modern military operations and their success,” Blouin said.

“So, in order to meet that intent while ensuring good value for taxpayer money, we’re seeking out an agreement with international allies that will provide Canadian forces with access to an international constellation of satellites.”
Ottawa to spend up to $477M on U.S. military satellites | News | National Post

[Cletus Awreetus-Awrightus]

good for canada

[Fred314X]

Indeed, Ottawa recognizes value staring it in the face. $477 million is a drop in the bucket compared to what the Canadian Government would have to spend, on its own. All the benefits at a fraction of the cost. Can't fault 'em for that!

[GTOlover]

Originally Posted by Fred314X

Indeed, Ottawa recognizes value staring it in the face. $477 million is a drop in the bucket compared to what the Canadian Government would have to spend, on its own. All the benefits at a fraction of the cost. Can't fault 'em for that!

Well I asssume the 65 F-35 JSF II Canada has pre-ordered will also benifit since we could send alot more info to US fighters and send even more live real time data and positions to NORAD since the Arctic has alot of dead zones.

I mean France, Canadian and British airforces learned alot about what they lacked and needed to improve during the Libya Mission where the US was in the background in a advising and intel role. I have to say it was a test for NATO (the ones that actually took part) in real combat situations without having the US to take the brunt of the combat role.

I belive we all got full US reports on our peformance in Libya where it showed what we lacked and things that we needed to improve upon.