Overview
- An internal federal audit made public says defence purchasing still struggles with entrenched bottlenecks despite ongoing reform efforts.
- The review found simple buys often take about 10 years to finish, while complex capability projects can run one to three decades.
- Auditors cited disconnected databases, heavy oversight and paperwork, and thinly staffed project offices that must consult many stakeholders.
- Policies for urgent buys trimmed some timelines to roughly three years, yet the urgent framework falls short of its mandate and Latvia‑related projects still need 30 to 40 months to reach initial capability.
- The Carney government says it is speeding priority deals, highlighting a fast‑tracked submarine purchase and legislation to make the defence investment agency independent, while the audit urged better backing for agile IT buying and continuous upgrades and critics blasted decade‑long waits.