Canadian soldiers back then were not any better or worse off than they are now (or let's say circa 2021).
That sudden rush of new gear for Afghanistan was not down to Hillier, though he was in charge; that is down to the "oh shit" effect of being forced to play catch-up when a new war suddenly reset all their priorities and planning. The usual years-long procurement circle-jerk gets tossed aside as the decisiveness level of government goes way up. "Off the shelf" purchases without much contract tendering or long-term evaluation become acceptable, as "general wish list" musing turns into some very specific needs.
Things have changed yet again. Even looking at the CAF today, I think they have a better idea in 2024 of how their future force structure will need to be than they did in 2021. You can say that is prompted by the Ukraine thing more than anything, but it is somewhat overdue given how Russia's only one of 4 potentially belligerent major powers (the others being China, India, and as of this month's events, the USA).
I'm referring to the equipment they had at the time that looked like 3rd generation hand me downs.... uniform, kit, and weapons, and body armour. Years long delay for procurement was the fact they didn't have any money to procure with. Its not that they didn't have plans for new equipment, they just didn't have the money to purchase the equipment in bulk. Even programs they tested out for equipment, the CAF got shit equipment because it was cheaper or was being made in Canada (that western star truck that was so shit, they had to limited it from dirt/off road driving). PS I let you in on a secret, when they really want a piece of equipment they give it to people (inexperienced) to test, who will say its the best, they won't give the equipment to people (experienced) who will properly critique it and find flaws; or they ignore the negative reviews and buy the shit equipment any way?? Pick and choose the outcome....
Today they are worse off due to numbers. The numbers affect the trades training of trades and individuals. Today the CAF is down 16,000 and that affects the number of ships they can put to sea and the number of people it can deploy to places like Latvia. It takes time to train a person on ships and in a tank. It takes time to train a tank driver, and if the same person wants to be a gunner, it takes time to train to be a gunner, tank commander etc. You have to learn to coordinate as a team. Then coordinate as a section of tanks, coordinate with infantry, and so on....
As for today there was an tv news about some exercise in Latvia, where there is a Canadian Brigade. Practicing counter-attack, doesn't give me much faith, when I see on the screen; vehicles on a dirt road lined up behind each other ( in a forest/tree area). Reminds me of those Russian tanks going to Kiev (hours later they were toast) The biggest thing they didn't say was how they would deal with Russian drones (which are increasing in numbers); which you should expect when you are counter-attacking.
The CAF has trained its personal over the years is how to respond to "woke" I am being harassed attitude (it only take a couple of these shit-cans to really drop a units' moral), that I seriously doubt they are a lean mean killing machine! If someone's mean words are hurting an individual, how the fuck are they gonna respond to someone trying to kill them. When you go to war, you need the "bullies" and their attitude and toughness.... The veterans today are from Afghanistan, but that was a totally different type of scenario Canadians will see in Europe with the introduction of mass drones into the equation.
Russian and China are wanting to expand their borders (Ukraine, and S China sea Spratly Islands, Taiwan, border clash with India). Not sure if your reason for India is the Cdn/India/Sikh confrontation caused by Trudeau. If Sikhs in Canada are sending money to India for support of what India considers terrorist or separation forces, they should be charged and sent to jail. I'm sure Canada has some laws about that somewhere.
The US is not expanding its borders but was building bases throughout the world. World Policeman??
Or is any of Russian/China aggression due to the Western world economic stranglehold/control of patents (legal only in western countries), and financial control of markets/trade/infrastructure projects that could help other countries (not western countries). China's Belt and Road initiative is a direct competitor to this control by Western powers.
Canada main concern should be land security, especially up north, where there is untapped oil/gas fields, minerals etc. All standing around waiting for other countries to come around and set up camp.... For that we will need good equipment and a stronger attitude towards defense.
