September 24, 2021 | Local, Naval
Canada’s ‘fireproof house’ defence strategy is causing problems among its allies. When you are convinced you live in a gated community, the pressure to invest in alarms for your home disappears.
December 5, 2022 | Local, Naval
The repairs to HMCS Harry DeWolf won’t be covered by Irving Shipbuilding because the warranty for the company’s workmanship on the vessel, delivered in 2020, was only for one year, a National Defence spokesperson said.
May 31, 2019 | Local, Aerospace
DAVID DONALD Training systems integrator and operational support specialist CAE is a truly global player, with more than 10,000 employees active in 40 countries. However, its traditional home market in Canada remains a core business, employing 4,500 personnel at 16 sites, and with more than 425 Canadian companies numbered in the supply chain. Forthcoming developments in CAE's Canadian business include the opening of the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) helicopter simulator in Ottawa, planned for later this year. The CAE 3000 Series simulator features roll-on, roll-off cockpits for the Bell 429 and 412EPI helicopters, which share a single simulator dome. CAE claims the system offers the highest fidelity yet of any of its simulators. A potential third cockpit could be added once the CCG has selected a helicopter to equip its new icebreaker vessel. Recently, the company's training centres at Trenton (CC-130J) and Petawawa (CH-147F) have been used to provide pre-deployment and mission rehearsal training for Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) crews destined for service in Mali. A high-fidelity virtual database of Mali has been integrated into the CH-147F and CC-130J simulators to provide realistic training, while CH-146 Griffon crews have also received pre-deployment training with a generic Mali database added into the simulator. CAE is also part of Team Cormorant, which is delivering a mid-life update for the CH-149 search and rescue helicopter. The company will establish a training centre at Comox alongside that for the Airbus C295 Fixed-Wing SAR aircraft. The SkyAlyne joint venture with KF Aerospace continues to deliver pilot training for the RCAF through the existing NATO Flying Training Centre (CAE) and Contracted Flying Training and Support (KF) programmes, while positioning to bid an integrated future aircrew training system for the 2020s. Other future opportunities include the RPAS programme, for which CAE is bidding as part of Team SkyGuardian Canada with General Atomics, and the Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP). CAE remains non-exclusive with regard to FFCP, and is in discussions with all four bidders regarding both training and operational support activities. Continuing its multi-faceted operational support and system integration efforts, CAE has supplied an integrated information environment (IIE) for the Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone to assist and streamline maintenance. The IIE was thoroughly tested recently during the Cyclone's first six-month at-sea deployment. CAE is also contracted for design support associated with the CSC combat ship. https://www.janes.com/article/88921/committed-to-canada-cs19d2
November 22, 2019 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security
DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN Rookie MP Anita Anand was named to one of the federal government's toughest portfolios on Wednesday as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rearranged his cabinet. Anand, a lawyer, takes over as Minister of Public Services and Procurement, replacing Carla Qualtrough, who became Minister of Employment and Workforce Development. Anand was elected in the October federal election to represent the riding of Oakville. She was a law professor at the University of Toronto specializing in corporate governance and shareholder rights. Anand will have a busy portfolio dealing with the ongoing Phoenix pay fiasco as well as high profile defence procurements such as the acquisition of a new fighter jet fleet as well as the Canadian Surface Combatant program. The fighter jet project is estimated to cost taxpayers up to $19 billion and bids are expected by the end of March. The surface combatant project is estimated to cost between $60 billion and $65 billion. Her background in corporate governance could come in handy as she tries to navigate these two key programs. Other major defence projects that Anand will have to deal with include shipbuilding programs like the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships and the Joint Support Ships, both for the Royal Canadian Navy, as well as new icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard. Anand will also have to be briefed on the way ahead for the selection of a third shipyard to contribute vessels to the national shipbuilding strategy. Davie Shipbuilding in Levis, Que. is seen as a frontrunner in that competition but an Ontario shipyard is also interested. The Liberals also promised to create a defence procurement agency as part of efforts to improve the purchasing of military equipment so it is expected that Anand will play a key role in the creation of that new organization. The Liberals, however, had said very little about the procurement agency since mentioning it during the election campaign and details about how it would be set up haven't been provided. Other faces in the cabinet announced Wednesday will be familiar to those involved in defence and veterans affairs. Harjit Sajjan remains as Minister of National Defence. Sajjan, who was first appointed defence minister in the fall of 2015, has earned mixed reviews for his performance. But he provides Trudeau with an experienced minister who won't have to be brought up to speed on the defence portfolio. Navdeep Singh Bains continues on as Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Lawrence MacAulay returns as the Veterans Affairs Minister. Nova Scotia MP Bernadette Jordan, who was first elected in 2015, was named as Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. Although that is seen as a promotion for Jordan, she has experience in the portfolio as she has served as chair of the Commons' fisheries and oceans committee. The coast guard is expected to receive new vessels, including icebreakers. https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/major-defence-procurements-and-phoenix-pay-fiasco-will-keep-rookie-mp-busy