Canadian military trying to fast-track delivery of air defence systems to troops in Latvia

On the same subject

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  October 8, 2023 | Local, Naval

  Spain's PLD Space launches private rocket in milestone for Europe | Reuters

  Spanish company PLD Space launched its recoverable Miura-1 rocket early on Saturday from a site in southwest Spain, carrying out Europe's first fully private rocket launch in a glimmer of hope for the region's stalled space ambitions.

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  October 11, 2018 | Local, Aerospace

  Purchase of three spy planes from the U.S. could cost Canada $140 million more than planned

  DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN Canadian companies had wanted to provide the aircraft, but the Canadian military decided it needed the planes quicker than they believed Canadian firms could deliver The cost of three small surveillance aircraft Canada is buying from the U.S. could be $140 million more than the Canadian military had originally estimated. The three Beechcraft King Air planes, to be based at CFB Trenton in Ontario, will be outfitted with sensors and equipment to intercept cell phone and other electronic transmissions. Canadian special forces and, potentially, other government departments will use them for missions overseas and in Canada. On Oct. 1 the Canadian Forces told Postmedia the three outfitted planes and initial in-service support would cost between $100 million and $249 million, as outlined in the Liberal government's defence policy documents. However, on Oct. 4 the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency revealed the final tally, informing Congress that the deal was underway with an estimated cost of US $300 million — around $389 million. Canadian companies had wanted to provide the aircraft and on-board equipment, and several have formed alliances with U.S. firms who supply the Pentagon with the same or similar aircraft. But the Canadian military decided it needed the planes more quickly than they believed Canadian companies could deliver, and that U.S. security regulations governing the on-board sensor equipment might cause delays. As a result, it determined the U.S. government was the only supplier capable of providing the planes. The Canadian Forces says it hopes to get a better deal. The cost the U.S. government agency presented to Congress is not the final tally and the “final cost is anticipated to be much lower,” the Canadian Forces claimed in an email. “Over the coming months, we will work to more clearly define our interests and requirements for the purchase, and negotiate an acceptable price with the U.S.,” the email said. Department of National Defence spokeswoman Ashley Lemire said in an email to Postmedia that the delivery of the first plane would take place sometime between 2020 and 2021. The final delivery of the three aircraft would be wrapped up by 2022. The main contractor is Beechcraft in Wichita, Kan. The Canadian government will run a separate program to allow companies to compete to provide in-service support for the planes. The government expects to ask for bids for that 20-year contract sometime in the spring of 2019, said Lemire. DND declined to provide an estimate of what that long-term support would cost taxpayers. Industry representatives have complained over the years that the Canadian Forces cut domestic firms out of the project and reduced the role they could play. Lemire rejected that claim, saying Canadian firms would have a role in servicing the planes. https://calgaryherald.com/news/purchase-of-three-spy-planes-from-the-u-s-will-cost-canada-140-million-more-than-planned

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  September 14, 2018 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land

  CJOC PA Monthly Narrative

  {Sent on behalf of Lieutenant-Colonel Stéphanie Godin, Chief Public Affairs Officer, CJOC} We have published the September 2018 CJOC PA Monthly Narrative. It is designed to inform all those who play a part in explaining the Canadian Armed Forces engagements in Canada, on the continent and around the world. This product is shared with DND/CAF colleagues and with our whole-of-government partners. It is updated and distributed on a monthly basis unless otherwise directed. New this month: On August 2, 2018, a small team of soldiers from the Canadian Army's 4 Engineer Support Regiment deployed to Iraq on Operation IMPACT. About 300 CAF members participated in a maritime domain defence and security exercise on Operation NANOOK from August 8, 2018 to September 4, 2018. The Government of Canada accepted the province of British Columbia's request for assistance with wildfire response on August 13, 2018. On September 7, 2018, the Province of B.C. announced that the wildfire situation improved and that the requirement for CAF assistance had diminished. Most CAF assets and members deployed on Operation LENTUS started to leave the province and return to their respective home units. About 100 personnel are still assisting with the operation. On August 15, 2018, Operation PRESENCE-Mali reached full operational capability, meaning personnel and equipment are prepared to conduct secondary tasks if the United Nations request them such as: the transportation of troops, equipment and supplies, and logistics support. About 135 personnel and five CF-18 Hornets deployed to Constanta, Romania on Operation REASSURANCE to participate in NATO enhanced Air Policing from September to December 2018. A CC-177 Globemaster aircraft conducted an airlift flight on Operation FREQUENCE between the Sahel region of Africa and France. About 29,000 kilograms of cargo were delivered to France. Follow us on social media: Twitter: http://twitter.com/CFOperations Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CAFOperations