"It's quite significant," said Prof. Paul Buteux of the University of Manitoba Centre for Defence and Security Studies.

The Manitoba defence centre predicted two years ago that Ottawa would need to boost military spending to $20 billion a year just to maintain its basic commitments. "The Armed Forces aren't going to be springing forth with Superman stars (with this)," Buteux said.

"There are no specifics here," said [Ujjal Dosanjh]. "Are they going to follow the advice of the chief of the defence staff? This will not meet the needs of the military. Their needs are now, not two years hence."