Chances of global war in the next decade are high according to many expert observers.
That leads to the question: how prepared is this nation?
Canada has been criticized for not having a stronger military defence force.
While Canada authorized 58,500 in the three services — army, navy and air — we are currently 16,000 shy of the goal.
So, who has the biggest military forces?
Three of the largest military are Asian nations, according to the World Population Review for 2024.
China leads with 2.18 million on active duty and another 1.8 million in reserve or paramilitary.
Second is India with 1.45 million active and 3.5 million in reserve or paramilitary.
The United States ranks third with 1.32 million active and 745,000 in reserve.
Fourth is North Korea at 1.28 million active and 6.3 million in paramilitary or reserves.
Russia is fifth with 1.15 million active and 2.5 million paramilitary or in reserve.
Canada is way down in 135th place and the 2024 review overstates the numbers,
The Review indicates the Canadian military is at 67,000 strength with 3,600 paramilitary and 36,000 in reserves.
Canada has a long way to go to develop a larger military.
Military can expand rapidly. Ukraine is listed with 209,000 and one million paramilitary or reserves.
Recent news reports place Ukraine military numbers at 900,000 as the country fights the Russian invasion.
When the Canadian Armed Forces were unified with one uniform for all in 1969 Canada had about 100,000 active military.
The closure of NATO military bases in Europe and budget cuts saw that number soon shrink to 75,000.
Eventually as the Peace Dividends from the end of the Cold War were taken, the Canadian military was set for 58,500 — a number not achieved for years now.
Perhaps if veterans were treated better by bureaucrats and government, recruitment might increase.
Military recruiters might need a shake-up. An organization that invited recruiters to a weekend event attracting young people was informed that recruiters don’t work on weekends.
Military numbers alone do not indicate how well-equipped a nation’s defence has become.
But Canada lacks modern equipment as well as adequate numbers of active military and reserves.
Speaking recently to a member of the Saskatchewan Dragoons, the army reserve unit for Moose Jaw and Swift Current, I was informed the Dragoons are well short of authorized numbers — a condition that has existed for decades.
Tiny neutral Switzerland has only 19,000 active military with 196,000 in reserve.
Given that Canada has a vast Northern territory that will likely be invaded in a global conflict this country is woefully unprepared for the future.
Leaders like to say Canada’s military punches beyond its strength in numbers. That appears true but still doesn’t comfort citizens should a global conflict occur.
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
