Changes to training forced by budget cuts could leave military less ready for a fight, experts warn

Internal budget cuts at the Department of National Defence have driven the Canadian Armed Forces to make radical changes to training for fighter pilots and for soldiers destined for Latvia — an overhaul that experts warn could undermine military readiness.

The army is no longer requiring that troops headed for deployment in Eastern Europe take part in a major qualifying exercise at the base in Wainwright, Alta., the department said in a media statement issued after CBC News asked questions.

Most military experts agree that one of the reasons the Kremlin's initial full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 failed to achieve its objectives is the Russian Army's inability to coordinate infantry, tanks, artillery and aircraft into a seamless operation.

A Royal Canadian Air Force CT-155 Hawk from 419 Tactical Fighter (Training) Squadron takes off during Exercise MAPLE FLAG 51 on June 19, 2018 at 4 Wing, Cold Lake, Alta.

On March 8, 2024, the Royal Canadian Air Force quietly announced it would retire its fleet of CT-155 Hawk advanced trainer aircraft and change the way it trains fixed-wing fighter pilots.

The air force's planned transition to the F-35 fighters had put the future of the Hawk trainer in doubt already, but their unexpected retirement means the country's fast jet training program is now on hold.