You are correct that we have no threats, but for some reason reason the majority of the Canadian population thinks that everything that happens on earth is our business and so an air plane capable of participating in offensive campaigns is necessary. Canada has already contributed a lot of money and know-how into the JSF program, so it’s unlikely that Canada will not get the JSF.

Canada didn’t participate in Iraq because of its large and influential muslim minority. In case of a war against a non muslim country, Canada will be the first to volunteer equipment, remember Kosovo? Canada wants to be seen as important and influential on the global scale, and the way Canada thinks this image is best to be obtained is by meddling in everyone’s business.

Meanwhile, the CF-18’s have been modified to high standards (better than F/A-18C) and Canada has ordered AIM-120C’s, more JDAMs, and I forget what else.

If it was up to me I would just get rid of the entire Canadian military. Think of how much money could be saved. Canada has absolutely no threats that require a military. A well armed police force and a coast guard should be sufficient handle any terrorist threats. Our role model should be Iceland, now there’s a country that I would be proud to be part of, they have no enemies and everywhere they go they are respected. Not to mention that terrorist attacks would never happen in the first place if we don’t give terrorists a reason to hate us (by interfering in their business halfway across the world).

Ok now bring on the flames, cmon, gimme whatcha got.

The best value for the money is the F-26 Stalma. It is only $35 million per piece but it has technology not found on any other airplane in that price class, especially its avionics.

How about their air defense systems? Do the Turkmens (Turkmenistanis?) have any S-300’s?

The seven ex-Soviet bloc states who join NATO next week

Slovenia was never part of the Soviet bloc. Yugoslavia was an unaligned country, and in fact it was more western oriented than it was Soviet oriented.

But the minister admits that modernising their outdated military equipment is “a long-term aim.”

I would not call Slovenia’s equipment outdated. Most of their army is quite modern, and their T-55’s have been upgraded to unbelievable standards.

“NATO is well-equipped and does not need a single tank from its new members. These states are useful to the alliance because of their participation in international contingents and their strategic position.”

In other words, they make good cannon fodder. If I was a small eastern European country, I would not join Nato. I just fail to see what advantages it would bring (unless you have a hostile neighbor, but none of these 7 countries do). Joining the EU, yes, because that has economic benefits. But what benefits does joining Nato bring?