WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News/Sputnik – Dec 29, 2022) The number of Canadian military personnel has fallen by 1,200 in 2021 and the crisis could worsen as the number of departures has significantly exceeded recruitment, Army The commander, Lt. Gen. Joe Paul, told The Canadian Press.
“The numbers are not as high as we would like. And if we stay on the even trajectory, unfortunately, we can probably anticipate a reduction of another 800,” Paul said Wednesday.
The commander explained that the number given is equivalent to an entire battle group and that the situation raises concerns because Canada is increasingly committed to deploying more troops overseas, including Latviawhere he pledged to double the size of the current contingent of 2,000 troops in light of Russiaspecial military operation Ukraine.
Paul said he would go to Europe in February address the issue directly with NATO partners to find the most effective way to improve the situation.
Canada will seek to determine the number of troops and equipment it is expected to permanently deploy in Latviato better gauge what will be kept at home, Paul added.
“If we were to generate two battlegroups in Latviasupported, you can’t do that,” Paul said, adding that everything “would break” when it came time to replenish lost troops.
At October 6, CanadaChief of the Defense Staff General Wayne Eyre has announced sweeping course corrections as the military suffers of significant staff shortages.
The army said it planned to have 101,500 personnel, of whom 71,500 would be active soldiers and 30,000 reservists. From July, CanadaThe regular force has approximately 63,500 soldiers.
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