July 10, 2019 | Local, Aerospace

Airbus and Boeing ready to drop the Canadian fighter jet tender?

Airbus and Boeing might consider withdrawing from the tender launched by Canada for new fighter jets. Both manufacturers allegedly believe that the process has been rigged in favor of Lockheed Martin.

Sources in the industry quoted by Reuters said that in recent weeks Boeing, Airbus, and Saab, three competitors in the Canadian tender, have officially complained about the way in which the tender seems to favor the fourth candidate, Lockheed Martin.

In 2015, one of the campaign promises of the current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was to reduce the procurement budget to replace Canada's aging fleet of F-18s, which would mean not purchasing the F-35. Instead, the country would acquire "one of the many, lower-priced options that better match Canada's defense needs".

Given this favorable context, Dassault Aviation had initially decided to also be in the run. However, in November 2018, the French manufacturer withdrew its candidacy. CEO Eric Trappier explained the decision in a hearing with the French parliament, on May 22, 2019:

Full article: https://www.aerotime.aero/clement.charpentreau/22815-airbus-and-boeing-ready-to-drop-the-canadian-fighter-jet-tender

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January 19, 2023 | Local, Aerospace

Department of National Defence to increase funding contribution for Inuvik Airport runway upgrades
January 19, 2023 – Inuvik, Northwest Territories – Department of National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces Today, the Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, Michael V. McLeod, announced on behalf of the Minister of National Defence, Anita Anand, that the Department of  National Defence will be increasing its investment in the Inuvik Airport runway by $80 million, for a total investment of $230 million. Funding will be provided to the Government of the Northwest Territories and will be used to complete the remaining work required to extend and modernize the Inuvik Airport’s 6,000-foot main runway. Upgrades to the Inuvik runway are primarily focused on improving the airfield’s suitability to operate larger and heavier aircraft, which is an important enhancement to NORAD and the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) ability to operate in the North and Arctic. This work is vital to ensuring the Canadian Armed Forces continue to have the capability to meet emerging security challenges across the North and Arctic, and aligns with Minister Anand’s June 2022 announcement of Canada’s plan to modernize its NORAD capabilities.  As a central transportation hub in the Western Arctic and a growing community, Inuvik is a key location to deliver on our goals in the Arctic while creating opportunities for Indigenous and Northern communities. Construction on the runway upgrades is expected to be completed in 2027. The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring Canadian Armed Forces personnel have the Northern infrastructure they require to effectively train and perform their duties. Funding for this project will also generate well-paying jobs and economic opportunities for residents of the Beaufort Delta region during construction. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2023/01/department-of-national-defence-to-increase-funding-contribution-for-inuvik-airport-runway-upgrades.html
April 7, 2022 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

Supporting defence innovation – Innovative Solutions Canada launches new defence challenges | Soutenir l'innovation en matière de défense – Solutions innovatrices Canada lance de nouveaux défis en matière de défense
Supporting defence innovation – Innovative Solutions Canada launches new defence challenges Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) recently launched six new Calls for Proposals in its defence testing stream. ISC is seeking pre-commercial innovative prototypes that can be tested in real life settings and address a variety of defence priorities within the Government of Canada. The Testing Stream aims to procure, test and evaluate innovative late stage pre-commercial prototypes in the following areas: • Digital Enablers and Cybersecurity • UAS and Drone-related infrastructure • Enhanced Warfighting • Training and in-Service support • Enhanced Soldier systems • Smart Sustain and Fleet Optimization The purpose of this call for proposals is to create pools of pre-qualified innovations that Canada may select from to address a broad range of the Government of Canada organizations' requirements. Check the Innovative Solutions Canada web site for eligibility requirements and apply by 14:00 April 22, 2022. Soutenir l'innovation en matière de défense – Solutions innovatrices Canada lance de nouveaux défis en matière de défense Solutions innovatrices Canada (SIC) a récemment lancé six nouveaux appels à propositions dans le cadre de son volet mises à l'essai en défense. SIC est à la recherche de prototypes novateurs pré-commerciaux qui peuvent être testés en situation réelle et qui répondent à diverses priorités de défense du gouvernement du Canada. Le volet mise à l'essais vise à acquérir, à tester et à évaluer des prototypes novateurs pré-commerciaux de stade avancé dans les domaines suivants : • Outils numériques habitants et cybersécurité • Infrastructure liée aux systèmes de surveillance aérienne sans pilote et aux drones • Amélioration de la conduite de la guerre • Formation et soutien en service • Systèmes du soldat améliorés • Soutien intelligent et optimisation de la flotte Le but de cet appel à propositions est de créer des bassins d'innovations préqualifiées parmi lesquelles le Canada pourra choisir afin de répondre à un large éventail de besoins des organisations du gouvernement du Canada. Consultez le site Web de Solutions innovatrices Canada pour connaître les conditions d'admissibilité et présentez votre application d'ici 14h00 le 22 avril 2022.
April 21, 2024 | Local, Land

As Russia presses forward, Ukraine pleads with Canada for armour, air defence | CBC News
A leading member of the Ukrainian parliament delivered stark warnings to Canadian politicians and top defence officials this week in a series of mostly under-the-radar meetings in Ottawa ahead of the long-anticipated aid vote in the U.S. Congress.

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