November 28, 2018 | Local, Naval
DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN
The Victoria-class submarines were expected to reach the end of their operational lives starting in 2022, according to documents obtained under the Access to Information law.
That could have been a major problem for the federal government as it is looking at planning a modernization program for the on-board systems on the class, starting in 2023 or 2024.
If the subs were to reach the end of their operational lives starting a year earlier, how would that have worked?
Defence Watch asked that question and has been informed that things have now changed. Department of National Defence spokesman Daniel Le Bouthillier said that the Victoria-class start to reach the end of their operational life in the mid-2020s. That later date was determined after DND officials did a more extensive examination of the submarine fleet life.
But there are still no details on what needs to be done to extend the life of the subs, how much that will cost, or when that will be done. “The Victoria-class Modernization (VCM) Program is currently in the Options Analysis stage, where the preferred modernization option is being selected,” Le Bouthillier noted. “Details of specific capabilities and milestones will be determined as the program evolves.”
Last year Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan praised the capability submarines provide Canada. “No other platform in the Canadian Armed Forces can do what a submarine can do,” Sajjan said. “No other platform has the stealth, the intelligence-gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance capability and the deterrence to potential adversaries that a sub does.”
But the Liberals have rejected a Commons defence committee recommendation that the Victoria-class subs, bought used in 1998 from the United Kingdom, be replaced with submarines capable of under-ice capabilities.
“The government has also committed to modernizing the four Victoria-class submarines to include weapons and sensor upgrades that will enhance the ability of the submarines to conduct Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and deliver necessary improvements of platform and combat systems to extend operational capability to the mid-2030's,” the government response to the committee noted.
February 22, 2024 | Local, Security
Today, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, met virtually with U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III, Mexico’s Secretary of Defence (SEDENA), General Luis Cresencio Sandoval González, and Mexico’s Secretary of the Navy (SEMAR), Admiral José Rafael Ojeda Durán, for the fifth trilateral meeting of North American Defence Ministers (NADM).
July 18, 2022 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security, Other Defence
By Alan Williams In the recent debate over Canada's troubled defence procurement system some have advocated for the need for more flexible rules to expedite delivery of military equipment. For example, the suggestion has been made that there is a requirement to provide Treasury Board Ministers with the ability to recommend waiving or amending policies to allow military equipment to be purchased to meet urgent requirements. Such action is unnecessary as the government currently has this capability. Under section 513 1 (d) of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), the government can bypass competition and sole source acquisitions when, “if strictly necessary, and for reasons of urgency brought about by events unforeseeable by the procuring entity, the goods or services could not be obtained in time using open tendering.” This clause is often used to provide the military with the goods and services it needs during wartime.
July 24, 2018 | Local, Land
DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN Defence Watch has been told about concerns being raised about the brakes on the Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle fleet. But the Department of National Defence says the issue isn't about the brakes but how the vehicles are being driven during training. “Vehicles in the TAPV fleet have not been quarantined, though we have investigated a few incidents involving stopping distances,” DND spokesman Dan Le Bouthillier explained to Defence Watch. “Investigating these types of incidents is a normal part of equipment fielding and integration into the CAF fleet. This is done to identify issues and ensure vehicle and crew safety.” Le Bouthillier said the findings thus far are that the incidents were isolated and occurred during driver training. The TAPV is a heavy vehicle and requires longer stopping distances at higher speeds than most new drivers are familiar with, he added. In over 50 TAPV Driver courses across the country, only two incidents were noted, said Le Bouthillier. Canada is in the midst of acquiring 500 Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles. In June 2012, Textron Systems Canada Inc. was awarded two contracts, one for the acquisition of 500 vehicles, valued at $603.4 million, and a second contract for their support at $105.4 million to conduct in-service support for the fleet for five years following the last vehicle delivery, the government noted. The TAPV is a wheeled combat vehicle that will conduct reconnaissance and surveillance, security, command and control, and armoured transport of personnel and equipment. https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/troops-warned-about-driving-habits-on-tactical-armoured-patrol-vehicles