Canada announces new national security and defence industrial strategies

The Canadian federal government is preparing to release its first comprehensive national security strategy in 20 years. According to David Morrison, senior diplomatic and international affairs adviser to Prime Minister Mark Carney, the new policy aims to strengthen defenses against various security threats with an increased focus on economic security.

In conjunction with these efforts, Prime Minister Carney has announced a Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) designed to bolster strategic autonomy and domestic manufacturing. The DIS utilizes a “Build-Partner-Buy” approach, which prioritizes domestic production for major defense acquisitions. The strategy aims to create 125,000 high-paying jobs, increase defense exports by 50 percent, and ensure that 70 percent of defense acquisitions are awarded to Canadian firms.

While the government frames the DIS as a means to rebuild and rearm the Canadian Armed Forces, the move has prompted debate regarding whether industrial ambitions might conflict with military effectiveness or existing international alliances.