December 26, 2019 | Local, Aerospace
DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN
Canadians won't be allowed to work on parts of the country's new surveillance aircraft because they contain sensitive American-made equipment that can only be handled by U.S. citizens.
Maintenance of the equipment, installed in new planes that will be operated by Canadian special forces, will be off-limits both to Canadian military personnel and Canadian aerospace workers. Instead, the gear or the aircraft will have to be sent to the U.S. for maintenance or U.S. government staff will have to travel to Canada to work on the planes. The equipment is subject to strict U.S. security regulations.
Canadian special forces are to receive three surveillance aircraft from the U.S. government. The planes are expected to arrive in spring 2022. The Beechcraft King Air planes, to be based at CFB Trenton, will be outfitted with sensors and equipment to intercept cellphone and other electronic transmissions, and track individuals and vehicles on the ground. Canadian special forces and, potentially, other federal government departments and the RCMP will use the aircraft for missions overseas and in Canada.
Canada is paying the U.S. government $188 million for the aircraft. The overall value of the project is estimated to be $247 million. The funding includes the acquisition of the aircraft and prime mission equipment from the U.S., and an initial portion of the associated in-service support of the planes. The main contractor is Beechcraft in Wichita, Kan.
The maintenance plan for the sensitive equipment that only Americans can work on has yet to be put in place, but the Canadian military is hoping it won't disrupt aircraft operations too much.
“Arrangements for the maintenance of certain specialized equipment are not yet in-place; therefore, details and costs are not known at this time,” Public Services and Procurement Canada spokeswoman Stéfanie Hamel noted in an email. “However, Canada will ensure the sustainment strategy supports continued operations while maintenance is underway.”
The government has not provided details on what parts of the aircraft are covered by the U.S. security regulations.
Another in-service support contract, for the aircraft themselves and related mechanical equipment, will also be put in place. Canadians will be able to do that work.
A request for proposals from Canadian firms for that work is expected to be issued in January or February. The contract would cover maintenance and support over a 20-year period.
Canadian aerospace firms had originally wanted to provide the aircraft and on-board equipment, and in 2013 a number of companies responded when the federal government initially outlined its need for such planes.
But the Canadian military decided it needed the planes more quickly than they believed Canadian companies could deliver. The military was also concerned there could be delays if the on-board sensor equipment used was subject to U.S. security regulations.
The Canadian companies, however, felt they could meet the military's needs with Canadian-made equipment that wouldn't be covered by U.S. regulations, allowing Canada more flexibility.
But the Canadian government instead opted for the American-made solution, which had also been used by Canadian special forces in Afghanistan. The agreement for the aircraft was finalized on April 26, 2019 with the U.S. government.
Canadian special forces personnel recently trained with similar surveillance aircraft operated by the U.S. In mid-November members of 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron and the Canadian Special Operations Regiment, both based in Petawawa, conducted an exercise supported by one of the American aircraft. The U.S. plane operated from the Ottawa airport, and flights occurred between Petawawa and Mansfield-et-Pontefract, Que., according to Canadian special forces.
“The intent was to conduct a training and needs assessment to ensure the appropriate personnel are trained and equipped to support the arrival of three Beechcraft King Air 350ER as part of the command's Manned Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance project,” Maj. Amber Bineau, spokesperson for Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, said in an email.
September 3, 2024 | Local, Land
The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, will visit Germany on September 5-6, 2024 to participate in the 24th Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting hosted by the United States at Ramstein Air Base.
June 21, 2019 | Local, Aerospace
DAVID PUGLIESE Procurement Canada has provided aerospace firms a new draft version of the requirements for Canada's next generation fighter jet fleet. Some changes have been made in the draft request for proposals document to deal with concerns raised by the companies, according to federal government sources. The requirements for the new Canadian fighter jet originally put emphasis on strategic attack and striking at ground targets during foreign missions, according to federal government procurement documents obtained by Postmedia. While the Liberal government had been highlighting the need to buy the jets to protect Canadian airspace and meet the country's commitments to the U.S.-Canadian North American Aerospace Defence Command, the procurement criteria provided additional weight to those aircraft that can excel at ground attack for overseas operations. That criteria was seen to favour Lockheed Martin's F-35 stealth jet, say those industry representatives allied with Lockheed's rivals in the upcoming $19 billion competition. The evaluation criteria also had less emphasis on sustainability, another plus for the F-35 which has been dogged with high maintenance bills, they added. The latest version of the requirements now eases back somewhat on the ground attack role and puts a little more emphasis on air-to-air scenarios, say sources. Some changes have also been made to provide for more points to companies who can provide a better deal on sustainment of the aircraft. Another change affects the length of time a firm has to meet its industrial benefits associated with its proposal. That has increased from 20 years to 25 years. Pat Finn, the Department of National Defence's procurement chief, has said he wants the final request for proposals for the fighter jets out to industry by mid-July. At this point four aircraft are to be considered. Those include two U.S.-built aircraft, the F-35, and the Super Hornet, and two European planes, the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Gripen. The winning bidder will build 88 jets for Canada. The new aircraft will replace the Royal Canadian Air Force's CF-18s. https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/some-changes-made-to-canadian-fighter-jet-requirements-as-new-document-sent-to-companies
December 7, 2018 | Local, Naval
December 6, 2018 - Gatineau, Quebec - Public Services and Procurement Canada The Government of Canada is committed to getting the Canadian Coast Guard the equipment it needs to keep Canadian waterways safe and provide meaningful economic opportunities for Canadian shipyards. On behalf of the Canadian Coast Guard, Public Services and Procurement Canada is acquiring eight new high-endurance search and rescue (SAR) lifeboats from Chantier Naval Forillon of Gaspé, Quebec, and Hike Metal Products of Wheatley, Ontario. Chantier Naval Forillon and Hike Metal Products were already producing six SAR lifeboats each under existing contracts signed in 2015. Under the amended contracts, each shipyard will build four additional lifeboats at a total cost of $61,757,896. These contracts were awarded under the small vessel component of the National Shipbuilding Strategy and will help maintain well-paying, middle-class jobs at both shipyards. With the ability to operate up to 100 nautical miles from shore, these new high-endurance SAR lifeboats are enhancing the Coast Guard's search and rescue capabilities. Vessels from this class are named after bays in Canada and are being built under the Federal Infrastructure Initiative, the Fleet Renewal Plan and Oceans Protection Plan. Quotes “Our government is providing the women and men of the Canadian Coast Guard with the modern equipment they need through the National Shipbuilding Strategy. At the same time, we are creating good middle class jobs and strong business opportunities for the Canadian marine sector.” The Honourable Carla Qualtrough Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility “Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy and Oceans Protection Plan, we are providing members of the Canadian Coast Guard the equipment they need to keep Canadian waters and those who use them safe. The addition of these new lifeboats will also create more jobs for Canadians and enhance the Coast Guard's capacity as a leader in maritime safety.” The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Quick facts Chantier Naval Forillon in Gaspé, Quebec, won a $45.8-million contract in July 2015 to build six vessels. This contract created 25 new jobs, as well as sustaining approximately 35 jobs. Hike Metal Products in Wheatley, Ontario, won a $43.4-million contract in July 2015 to build six vessels. This contract created and sustained 45 jobs. To date, four new high-endurance SAR lifeboats have been delivered to the Coast Guard. SAR lifeboat stations are operated by highly-trained Canadian Coast Guard personnel, who are well-equipped to respond to marine incidents in near-shore areas. Under the $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan, seven new lifeboat stations are being built, contributing to safer waters and coasts across Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-services-procurement/news/2018/12/government-of-canada-to-invest-in-eight-search-and-rescue-lifeboats-for-canadian-coast-guard.html