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The Liberal government has reversed a 2011 decision that saw Canada withdraw from NATO’s AWACS program.

The Conservative government decided at that time to end participation in the airborne early warning plane program as well as NATO’s Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) drone program. Conservative MPs defended the decision, noting it would save money.

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Canada’s NATO allies were surprised and angered about the pullout. The Royal Canadian Air Force warned at the time that the decision could put overseas operations at risk.

Over the last several years NATO has significantly increased the use of its AWACS, including in areas like Central and Eastern Europe where Canada is leading a multinational NATO battlegroup based in Latvia.

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan said NATO is a cornerstone of Canada’s international security policy. “In that spirit, Canada has decided to rejoin NATO’s Airborne Warning and Control System,” he said in a statement. “AWACS is a key NATO capability that we will support by contributing to its operations and support budget.”