Back to news

July 10, 2019 | Local, Aerospace

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

CLÉMENT CHARPENTREAU

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

On the same subject

  • We are looking for suppliers with the capacities required for presentation to a prime contractor!

    July 16, 2020 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

    We are looking for suppliers with the capacities required for presentation to a prime contractor!

    We are looking for technology suppliers who could meet the needs presented below. The selected companies will then be put in contact with the client to present their technology during a webinar. Tactical Systems Innovative ID Technology Small SWAP cooperative ID Systems Use of Quatum Technologies for secure comms/ID Processing Independent multi-core processing Dal B capability Additional Opportunities: Small efficient GaN transmitters Crypto capability-IP/FPGA-based CSAC Time Standards-Printed Flex Circuits Any technology that could provide SWAP enhancements Mission Computer Product needs and Collaboration Opportunities Innovative Thermal packaging Solutions Additional Opportunities Rugged OpenVPX capability Fast prototyping-switches and processors Cybersecurity and multi-level security Optical ISR Product Needs and Collaboration Opportunities Image Processing Hyperspectral sensors and processing Focus on low cost low SWAP expendable Additional Opportunities for innovative technologies supporting WAMI Enhancement-sensitivity, SWAP, Affordability Focal planes Optical components Beam steering Antenna Product Needs and Collaboration Opportunities Meta-Material Capabilities Reduced profile Wider Bandwidth Increased Radiated power FSS-based metamaterials for cavity resonators RF absorption Patch antennas with better directivity STAP Algorithms Support for controlled radiation pattern antenna products Materials for extreme environment Ultra high temp RF materials Ultra high temp adhesive Thermal protective radome material High tempRF connectors Space Systems Challenge problems Modelling and models for single event effects on semiconductor components space packaging for thermal management, use of non-hermetic packaging in space Rad-tolerant FPGA software-defined radio technology beyond 2012-generation devices small size laser bean director for 100 urad class open loop repeatability low cost precision optical assembly methods for small quantity complex designs suitable for field environmental conditions Communications and Navigation Solutions Technical Challenges Communications in congested spectrum Dynamic spectrum access, interference mitigation (signal processing and nulling) Efficient Use of Processing Resources Dynamic Partial FPGA Reconfiguration, efficient auto code generation Navigation Assured position navigation and timing techniques Networking Technologies Directional networking, mesh networking, network management of Link 16 systems Open architecture systems 3U VPX open architecture hardware, software, and waveforms Other Technologies Link 16 for LEOs, free space optical communications, multi-band power amplifiers for VHF, UHF and L-band Communications, multi-function phased arrays and phased array enabling technologies If you think you have the requested capabilities, send your information to: Pauline Breyton pauline.breyton@aeromontreal.ca

  • Mattis resignation not likely to damage Canada-U.S. security ties: experts

    December 24, 2018 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

    Mattis resignation not likely to damage Canada-U.S. security ties: experts

    THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA — U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis' decision to resign creates a void for Canada, says former Defence Minister Peter MacKay, because of Mattis's deep understanding of Canada's role in joint NATO and UN missions and good ties with Canadian security officials. His years of experience in the U.S. military and on-the-ground understanding of the parts of the world where he served as a Marine general, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan, are “virtually irreplaceable,” MacKay said. After serving for two years at the top of the U.S. military machine, Mattis announced Thursday that he'd resign as of the end of February, in a move widely seen as a rebuke of Trump's decision to abrupt withdraw U.S. troops from Syria. The retired general has been considered a moderating influence on Trump over his last two years as Pentagon chief, which is why concerns have been raised by ally nations about how his departure could affect U.S. security and foreign policy. These concerns are particularly focused on America's role in the NATO transatlantic alliance after Trump said this week that not only will the U.S. military pull out of Syria, but the number of U.S. troops will also be cut in half in Afghanistan, where the U.S. is part of the NATO-led joint mission Operation Resolute Support. “In spite of the moniker ‘Mad Dog Mattis' he was anything but. He was a highly intelligent, highly rational guy and he saw first-hand the integration of defence, diplomacy, development that Canada was doing and was very full of praise and admiration for that,” MacKay said. Mattis's departure is even more keenly felt in light of the departures of H.R. McMaster and John Kelly, who U.S. President Donald Trump also appointed to serve in his administration, MacKay added. McMaster was an army general who was Trump's national-security adviser for a year; Kelly is a retired Marine general who served as secretary of homeland security and then Trump's chief of staff. McMaster resigned last April; Kelly is to leave the White House at the end of this year. “Jim Mattis and the others have and feel an abiding respect for Canada and our role in NATO and in NORAD, for our niche capabilities, what we were able to do along with others in the coalition, both the UN and NATO coalition in Afghanistan, our support role in other missions,” MacKay said. “That, too, is in some jeopardy depending on who replaces Gen. Mattis.” But in spite of ongoing political tensions at the top, Canada's defence and security relationship with the U.S. is hardwired at the bureaucratic and institutional levels and has not materially changed with the election of Donald Trump, said Fen Hampson, director of the global security and politics program at the Centre for International Governance Innovation. Mattis' resignation will not alter those ties, he said. “There's a constant flow of exchanges and communication on, I would say, almost an hourly basis. That's not really going to change in substantive terms,” Hampson said. “I think where it's going to be probably felt most keenly is at the cabinet-to-cabinet level where our officials have met with Mattis and (Secretary of State Mike) Pompeo on a pretty regular basis and that's where the hole is going to be felt.” Dave Perry, a senior defence analyst with the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, echoed this, saying he has heard of little change on the ground when it comes to the day-to-day bilateral work and partnerships between Canadian and American officials. “It's a relationship that's pretty embedded at the working level in institutional agreements, exchanges, all the Canadians that work directly within the U.S. defence structure in the United States — so I think the degree of change has probably been overstated with this administration,” he said. “A lot of things on the defence front have continued to work quite well quietly and will likely do so in the future.” While many analysts agree that Canada should be concerned about losing an ally in the Trump administration like Mattis, who acted as a stabilizer at the highest levels, this concern could be eased depending on whom Trump nominates as his replacement. “The void now, within the defence and security world, will hopefully be filled with someone of his ilk and his acumen,” MacKay said of Mattis. “Hope burns eternal. I remain very optimistic about the resilience of the Canada-U.S. relationship. It'll survive this administration, but boy, there's a lot of damage being done.” https://leaderpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/mattis-resignation-not-likely-to-damage-canada-u-s-security-ties-experts/wcm/bead703a-ee27-44e6-8fca-31f19603259f

  • Supporting jobs and skills through defence purchases

    May 31, 2019 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security, Other Defence

    Supporting jobs and skills through defence purchases

    Defence procurements support skills development for Canadians May 29, 2019 – Ottawa, Ontario The Government of Canada's defence and major Coast Guard purchases result in billions of dollars of work for Canadian companies and support thousands of jobs annually. Going forward, they will also contribute to the development of a highly skilled and diverse workforce. The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, underscored this today while at CANSEC, Canada's largest defence and security trade show, where he helped unveil the new Canadian Industrial Leadership Award (CILA). A joint initiative from L3 Technologies, Thales Canada and CAE Inc., CILA will offer fully paid internships/co-ops to 10 female students with demonstrated leadership and academic skills. The students will work on innovative projects to support their education and receive mentorship in STEM disciplines. The companies created this program as a result of the Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy, which requires winning bidders of defence contracts to invest the value of the contract back into the Canadian economy. Minister Bains also announced updates to the Policy that will promote the development of new skills. Specifically, prime contractors will now receive additional credit through the ITB Policy for investments in skills development and training for Indigenous peoples in Canada. A new cyber certification feature was also added to improve access for Canadian small and medium-sized firms seeking opportunities related to defence procurement. This will help advance the Government's commitment to setting and promoting a national standard for cyber protection among Canadian businesses. The addition follows the publication of the 10 principles that make up Canada's new Digital Charter, one of which states that Canadians should be able to rely on the integrity, authenticity and security of the services they use and should feel safe online. Quotes “In a competitive global economy, Canada can't afford to leave talent on the sidelines. Through the ITB Policy, the government is helping to ensure the development of a more skilled and inclusive workforce. The Canadian Industrial Leadership Award is a great example of how our policy can promote investment in the advancement of women in STEM. Going forward, the enhancements to the policy that were announced today will also motivate new investments in skills development and training for Indigenous peoples. It will also lead to improved access to cyber certification for small and medium-sized businesses, allowing them to better compete in this innovative industry.” – The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Quick facts The ITB Policy encourages companies to establish or grow their presence in Canada, strengthen Canadian supply chains, and develop Canadian industrial capabilities in areas such as innovation, research and development, supplier development, and exports. The ITB Policy includes the Value Proposition, which motivates bidders on Canadian defence contracts to put forward proposed investments toward their ITB obligations when making their bids. As of January 2019, the overall portfolio of ITB obligations included 161 projects valued at almost $47 billion, with $36.1 billion in business activities already completed, $7.1 billion of activities in progress and $3.7 billion in unidentified future work opportunities. The Canadian defence industry includes over 660 firms with more than $10 billion in sales, supports close to 60,000 jobs in the Canadian economy, and employs highly skilled workers in high-quality jobs. https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2019/05/supporting-jobs-and-skills-through-defence-purchases.html

All news