According to Canada’s top soldier, the military’s ability to keep funding a “persistent presence” of warships in the western Pacific is facing significant challenges with the current budget.

 

Gen. Wayne Eyre made the comments while speaking at the Halifax International Security Forum Saturday during a panel discussion on China’s emergence as a military superpower.

Eyre said Canada currently has three frigates operating in the region on joint naval exercises with the United States and Japan.

The chief of defence staff noted, however, that those ships are reaching the end of their 30-year lifespan.

Eyre said while Canada is committed to keeping ships operating in the region, sustaining the frigates is “going to be a challenge … as we balance resources around the world.”, adding that the Halifax-class frigates are in what he called desperate need of maintenance.