Topic: Cold War
Canadian Army Journal, Vol. XIV, No. 4, Fall 1960
All Canadian Forces To Feel Some Effect of Austerity Program
The Montreal Gazette, 21 August 1962
Ottawa—(CP)—The Canadian defence buildup announced 11 months ago as part of NATO's response to the Berlin crisis will be only partially implemented because of the government's austerity program, officials said yesterday.
The planned manpower increase in the Army to 59,000 from 48,000 will be halted at the current level of about 52,000 men.
Other belt-tightening measures in the defence department:
1. Disbandment of the four CF-100 jet night fighter squadrons in Europe beginning early next year.
2. Disbandment of the Navy's Banshee jet fighter squadron next month. This squadron, when not at seas aboard the carrier Bonaventure, formed art of the North American Air Defence Command, the planes were armed with Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.
3. Disbandment of the radar unit which controlled operations of the planes of the RCAF Air Division in Europe. This job will be taken over by other NATO radars.
4. Disbandment of the North Star transport squadron at St. Hubert, Que.
5. Cancellation or deferment of construction of some gap-filler radars in Canada. Role of these radars is detection of low-flying planes.
6. Reduction of postings and travel in the three services.
7. At least temporary deferment of purchase of three submarines from Britain because Britain so far has not agreed to place and order for equipment in Canada. Canada tries hard to sell the Bobcat armoured personnel carrier to the British Army but the British government announced last week it will go ahead with production of its own carrier, the Trojan.
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