Where Canada should put rapid defense spending

How should Canada spend a large near-term increase in defense funding?

Order more ships and aircraft from existing programs, including patrol vessels and frigates, before starting new ones.

Canada could gain useful capacity fastest by expanding its existing frigate, fighter, and patrol-vessel programs. Established designs have already absorbed research and setup costs, so additional hulls deliver depth more efficiently. Britain's reduced Type 45 order warns that diverting money toward new capabilities can leave a core fleet too small. Adequate quantities should be funded before another attractive but under-resourced program begins.