MND O'Connor interview on CFRA, Ottawa/CDS interview

The minister was interviewed (in a supportive way) by Steve Madely between 0800-0900. Audio of the inteview should be available fairly soon at this link.

(Update: interview is here and here.)

Mr O'Connor said that our strategy in Afstan over the next year or so would emphasize training several Afghan National Army battalions in the Kandahar region so that they can assume more and more responsibility for combat against the Taliban, with Canadians increasingly acting in a support role.

He suggested that Taliban reliance on IEDs shows that their military capability has been seriously weakened.

The minister provided some useful information in response to listener questions.

The leased German Leopard IIs should start arriving in Kandahar in August. The tanks being purchased from the Netherlands should start arriving in November/December.

The "Big Honking Ship" is a a few years off. The winner of the competition for the Joint Support Ship should be chosen in February/March 2008. The Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ships will displace 3,000-3,500 tonnes (still seems rather small to me--but maybe they really are "corvette" sized).

The site for the new Arctic deepwater port will be announced in several months. The facility will be shared by the Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard. CCG icebreakers will still be responsible for creating navigable channels for shipping generally.

Industry Canada and Public Works and Government Services are working on the contracts for the C-130J Hercules and CH-47 Chinooks (proper industrial/regional benefits are needed). Mr O'Connor hopes the contracts can be signed in a couple of months. First deliveries will take place three years later but we may be able to negotiate with the U.S. to get some faster by taking planes assigned to their services.

As for a fixed-wing SAR aircraft to replace Buffalos and very old Hercs, the Air Force is "developing options"; they haven't yet been brought before the minister.

I wonder if any other media will report what the MND said.

Meanwhile, here's a (decent) Toronto Star story on an interview with CDS Gen. Hillier:

The mission in Afghanistan is a major preoccupation. But despite the toll on Canadian troops – 59 have died in Afghanistan since he took over – Hillier strikes an optimistic note about the mission and says a new emphasis on training Afghan soldiers eventually will enable the country's own military to take charge of security.

But he stresses Afghanistan's stability also depends on building up its institutions and economy to offer opportunities to youth now falling under the sway of insurgents. "The whole issue is jobs ... You've got a bunch of young kids who will accept $10 a day to pick up a weapon and come and shoot at us."

At home, Hillier has boosted recruiting and training and launched preparations for the military's role in security at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

The Liberals and now the Conservatives have dramatically boosted military spending, announcing plans for transport helicopters, aircraft, tanks, trucks and, last week, new ships to patrol the Arctic.

Not all of the promised equipment has meshed with Hillier's priorities, but he's happy about the armed forces' increased profile in federal policy and budget. "We can't do all the things that we have to do all at once. We've got to take an appetite suppressant on some of them. That includes things like, for example, getting an amphibious capability," Hillier said, naming one project he was keen to develop [emphasis added--see what the minister said above].

Asked to name the biggest achievement of his tenure, he sidesteps the question. "I've got no accomplishments. This is not about Hillier."

Instead, he cites a "cultural change" within the armed forces that has boosted the pride of personnel. "We're different. Our job is to be prepared to manage violence on behalf of our country. That makes the men and women who wear the uniform special."

There's no doubt he's popular with the troops, helped by his boasting of their efforts but also by morale-boosting visits. During his trips to Kandahar, he's spent time with troops who have lost colleagues. He consoles, reassures and raises spirits, said one soldier...