August 29, 2023 | Local, Aerospace
Canada’s Department of National Defence Airworthiness Investigative Authority has issued the preliminary report into a fatal CH-47F Chinook helicopter crash.
July 10, 2023 | Local, Aerospace
The federal government still hopes Canadian firms will be able to receive contacts maintaining the F-35 for other nations.
August 9, 2019 | Local, Aerospace
By Murray Brewster Military leaders from the U.S. and Canada have come to an agreement on the nuts and bolts retooling of Norad, CBC News has learned. It is a milestone that could end up pitting the next government in Ottawa against both the Trump administration and perhaps even northern Indigenous communities at home. Now over six decades old, the bi-national air and maritime defence command — and its associated airfields, radar stations and satellite network — has been in need of a major overhaul in the face of emerging threats, such as North Korean ballistic missiles and rapidly advancing cruise missile technology. Word of the understanding comes as two Canadian CF-18s and two American F-22 Raptors intercepted two Russian Tu-95 Bear bombers, which pressed close to North American airspace, on Thursday. The agreement of "what's in and what's out" of the new North American Aerospace Defence Command was struck a few months ago, said a defence source in Ottawa, who was granted anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject. Separately, the Canadian general who is the deputy commander of Norad confirmed the two countries are on the same page when it comes to the new framework needed to defend the continent, but cautioned there is still a lot of work and negotiation ahead over capabilities and what is affordable. "We have established the operational requirements," Lt.-Gen. Christopher Coates in an interview with CBC News. A bi-national panel is examining the specifications and make recommendations to both the Pentagon and the Department of National Defence in Ottawa. Eventually, Coates said, each government will have to "determine whether or not those capabilities will be provided — or some other option" will be pursued. And that is where things could potentially get messy, according to defence experts. James Fergusson, of the University of Manitoba, one of the pre-eminent researchers on Norad, said the price tag will be substantial. Replacing the North Warning System chain of radar stations, alone, could cost as much as $11 billion, he said. The Liberal government has made much of saying its defence plans are fully costed, but it deliberately did not include the calculation for Norad modernization in its policy. There will have to be some negotiation with Washington, even though the cost sharing formula (60-40 split between the U.S. and Canada) has long been established. Steve Saideman, a professor of international affairs at Carleton University in Ottawa, said he can't see any Canadian government being anxious to open negotiations with the Trump administration, regardless of how long standing the arrangements might be. U.S. President Donald Trump has long complained American allies do not pay their fair share of costs for the NATO alliance, and Saideman said it is not beyond the realm of possibility that government-to-government technical negotiations over Norad could devolve. Fergusson disagreed. If they argue over money, he said, it will likely involve environmental cleanup costs related to the existing, remote north warning radar stations. When Norad abandoned its first chain of early warning sites — known as the DEW line — in 1993, the cleanup took 21 years and Canada was stuck with the $575 million bill. More problematic, as far as Fergusson is concerned, is whether Norad's proposed new capabilities will affect northern indigenous communities, which — unlike the past — will rightfully expect to be consulted and have a say over what the military does with the land. "When they [the Canadian and U.S. military] go up there in Northern Canada, now, they can't simply ignore the Indigenous people," said Fergusson, "And that's a political issue." https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/norad-canada-us-military-1.5240855
October 26, 2018 | Local, Aerospace
October 25, 2018 – Ottawa, ON – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces The Canadian Armed Forces has concluded Operation RENAISSANCE – Indonesia, a part of Canada's humanitarian assistance efforts in Palu, Indonesia. Over the course of the 14-day operation, at the request of the government of Indonesia, a Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130J Hercules transported and delivered Canadian relief items and provided a tactical airlift capability to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian supplies in earthquake and tsunami affected areas. A total of 121,867 kilograms of supplies was airlifted and delivered. Supplies consisted of food, water, shelter kits and other miscellaneous humanitarian assistance equipment. Canada was one of 21 countries, and non-governmental organizations active in the area to support Indonesia following the devastating September 29 Sulawesi earthquakes and resulting tsunami. Quotes “I am proud of the professionalism and dedication exhibited by our Canadian Armed Forces and Global Affairs Canada during Indonesia's time of need. Our thoughts are with the people of Indonesia as they continue to rebuild after the recent earthquake and tsunami.” The Honourable Harjit Sajjan, Minister of National Defence Quick Facts · The Canadian Armed Forces' contribution consisted of a CC-130J Hercules aircraft and 20 personnel. · The aircraft flew a total of 13 airlift missions over the course of the operation. · The CC-130J Hercules was based out of Balikpapan, across the Makassar Strait from the affected areas of Palu. - 30 - Associated Links Operation RENAISSANCE 2018 - Indonesia Social Media @CFOperations - Twitter @OperationsFC - Twitter Contacts Media Relations Department of National Defence Phone: 613-996-2353 Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca