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December 30, 2022 | Local, Land

Canadian Army eyeing new weapons in response to lessons learned from Ukraine war

The war in Ukraine has identified critical gaps in the Canadian Army's ability to fight and survive on the battlefield, leading to an unanticipated rush to buy new military equipment.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/canadian-army-eyeing-new-weapons-in-response-to-lessons-learned-from-ukraine-war-1.6212004

On the same subject

  • Companies highlight jobs, economic spinoffs as fighter-jet competition closes

    July 31, 2020 | Local, Aerospace

    Companies highlight jobs, economic spinoffs as fighter-jet competition closes

    OTTAWA — Fighter-jet makers are leading with promises of jobs and other economic spinoffs as they make their final pitches for why Canada should buy their planes to replace the military's aging CF-18 fleet. Friday marks the deadline for U.S. aerospace companies Lockheed Martin and Boeing, as well as Swedish firm Saab, to submit their bids in the current fighter-jet competition, which will see Canada spend up to $19 billion on 88 new planes. The closing of the competition marks a major milestone in Canada's decade-long effort to buy new fighter jets for the Royal Canadian Air Force, which has been plagued by government mismanagement and political controversy. While the combat capability of each of the three competing planes — Lockheed Martin's F-35, Boeing's Super Hornet and Saab's Gripen — will be the main focus as the government evaluates each bid, there will also be a lot of focus on the economic benefits of buying each plane. To that end, Lockheed Martin commissioned a report in February that found up to 4,200 jobs will be created or sustained each year if Canada buys its F-35 stealth fighter, which the company equated to more than 150,000 new jobs over the life of the plane. The analysis provided to The Canadian Press, which was compiled by Toronto-based OMX, also predicted the Canadian economy will see roughly $15 billion in additional activity between now and 2058 if the F-35 is selected to succeed the CF-18 as Canada's primary fighter jet. That is in addition to the $2 billion in economic benefits that Canada has already received since 2007 as one of nine partner countries in the development of the F-35, which lets Canadian companies compete for work associated with the stealth fighter. Canada has contributed US$541 million since 1997 to be a partner in the F-35 program. "Lockheed Martin has prepared a comprehensive proposal," the company said in a statement on Thursday. "The F-35 is the most capable, best-value fighter to strengthen defence, enhance ally partnerships and contribute to economic growth in Canada with significant, long-term industrial opportunities." Lockheed Martin isn't the first to toot its own horn on the potential economic benefits of its fighter. Boeing last month released its own commissioned report showing its existing operations in Canada created $5.3 billion in economic spinoffs last year and supported 20,000 jobs. Boeing says the numbers will go up if the Super Hornet wins, though it has not revealed its exact estimates. The emphasis on jobs and money — rather than combat capability — comes as Canada's economy has been battered by the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing the federal government to spend tens of billions in financial support for Canadians. Defence analyst David Perry of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute said it makes sense for companies to highlight the potential economic benefits of their bids. He said it helps to make the cost more palatable to the public and is also important in determining the winner. "In any competition like this, you're always looking for any potential partial point that you can get," Perry said. "Companies, if they're going to invest this significant time and significant amount of money preparing a bid like this, then they don't leave anything to chance. You make sure you try to wring every single last partial point you can get out of your proposal." This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2020. Lee Berthiaume, The Canadian Press

  • Minister Blair to mark completion of new Health Services Centre at Canadian Forces Base North Bay

    October 18, 2023 | Local, Security

    Minister Blair to mark completion of new Health Services Centre at Canadian Forces Base North Bay

    The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, will visit 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base North Bay to officially mark the completion of the base’s new Health Services Centre, which will better support Canadian Armed Forces members at the base.

  • MBDA Sea Ceptor air defense missile system selected for Canadian Navy Surface Combatant ships

    November 9, 2020 | Local, Naval

    MBDA Sea Ceptor air defense missile system selected for Canadian Navy Surface Combatant ships

    Naval News November 2020 Navy Forces Maritime Defense Industry POSTED ON FRIDAY, 06 NOVEMBER 2020 17:57 According to a Tweet published by NavyLookout on November 6, 2020, the MBDA Sea Ceptor air defense missile system has been selected for the Canadian Surface Combatant ships. Canadian Navy plans to acquire 15 ships to replace both the retired Iroquois-class Destroyers and the Halifax-class frigates, with an estimated cost of $56-60 billion. Canada's defence policy, “Strong, Secure, Engaged” (SSE), has committed to investing in 15 Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) ships. These ships will be Canada's major surface component of maritime combat power. To recapitalize the Royal Canadian Navy's surface combatant fleet by replacing and updating the capabilities found in both the recently retired Iroquois-class destroyers and the multi-role Halifax-class frigates and provide the necessary ammunition, training, support, and infrastructure. The new Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) will ensure that Canada can continue to monitor and defend its waters and make significant contributions to international naval operations. The Canadian Surface Combatant contract was signed on 7 February 2019. Lockheed Martin Canada was selected by Irving Shipbuilding and the Government of Canada for the design contract for Canada's new fleet of surface combatants. The ship will be based on the Type 26 frigate proposed by Lockheed Martin Canada and BAE Systems. The Canadian Surface Combatant will have a length of 492 ft (150 m) and a displacement of 8,000. The ship will feature advanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities. She will be armed with a 24-cell Mk 41 VLS (Vertical Launch System) for Tomahawk cruise missiles and other long-range strike weapons, a 48-cell silo for Sea Ceptor air defense missiles and a 5-inch naval gun. The flight deck will be able to operate a CH-47 Chinook-sized helicopters. The Sea Ceptor is new generation of ship-based, all-weather, air defence missile system developed and designed by MBDA. The Weapon System has the capability to intercept and thereby neutralize the full range of current and future threats including combat aircraft and the new generation of supersonic anti-ship missiles. Capable of multiple channels of fire, the system will also counter saturation attacks. Sea Ceptor will operate from the SYLVER and Mk41 launchers using a quad-pack configuration, various flexible canister configurations are also available. The Soft Vertical Launch technology reduces system mass and eases installation. The missile has a maximum firing range of 25 km. https://navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2020/november/9237-mbda-sea-ceptor-air-defense-missile-system-selected-for-canadian-navy-surface-combatant-ships.html

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