Growing threats to Canada's security drove $10B surveillance plane purchase, minister says

Defence Minister Bill Blair says a sense of urgency driven by security threats around the globe is behind the federal government’s decision to sole-source a deal worth more than $10 billion to buy a new fleet of military surveillance planes.

When asked by CBC News if the announcement is an acknowledgement that Canada needs to move faster on military procurement, Blair said that as threats continue to evolve, additional investments are needed. He said this latest contract is an “important step.”

“I personally feel a sense of urgency to address the needs of our Armed Forces,” said Blair. “The world is becoming an increasingly