November 28, 2023 | Local, Land, Security
known as Aegis Readiness Assessment Vehicle by two Standard Missile 3 Block IA interceptors during the test event Vigilant Wyvern, also known as Flight Test Aegis Weapon System-48
October 29, 2024 | Local, Land
Members of the Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) (FDU(P)) have returned to Victoria, B.C., after participating in Multinational Mine Warfare Exercise 24 (MN-MIWEX 24), hosted by the Republic of Korea Navy from October 14-25, 2024, off the coast of Busan, South Korea.
June 8, 2020 | Local, Aerospace
The Government of Canada recently announced it is replacing two Bombarder Challenger 601 utility aircraft with two Challenger 650s for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to allow for continuation of mission critical roles. The retiring aircraft that entered service in the 1980s fall short of operational requirements and are nearly obsolete due to new rules in the United States and Europe that will restrict their ability to fly internationally before the end of this year. The replacement ensures CAF can continue to operate a modern and flexible utility flight service fleet that serves a variety of roles — including reconnaissance and liaison missions with international partners, and the speedy deployment of specialized capabilities and expertise, including the Disaster Assistance Response Team. Without this needed replacement, the Royal Canadian Air Force's operational effectiveness for missions would be limited. The aircraft are used for the medical evacuation of military personnel serving overseas and the safe transport of CAF medical personnel and specialized equipment in the critical first few hours and days of someone being wounded. They are also used for the safe extraction and repatriation of personnel and citizens. The fleet further provides the ability to transport specialized teams from Canada to operational theatres around the world. Earlier this month, a Challenger quickly brought Royal Canadian Navy search experts to Naples, Italy, to support the search for the Cyclone helicopter lost in the Ionian Sea. This fleet provides critical abilities here at home. It has been used in the whole-of-government effort to support Northern, Indigenous and remote communities during COVID-19. In May 2020, it supported the delivery of COVID-19 testing supplies to Nunavut. The aircraft have been at the ready to help provincial and territorial partners with medical evacuations, if required. This fleet is also critical in facilitating the travel of senior government officials, as well as Parliamentarians from all parties due to security and safety considerations. The CAF's existing Challenger fleet consists of four aircraft, two purchased in the early 1980s and two purchased in the early 2000s. With the implementation of new international regulatory and interoperability requirements in 2020, only half of the fleet is fully compliant with international standards. That is why the Department of National Defence has been working on this consolidation initiative since 2018, and why the government entered into a contract with Bombardier this week, after negotiating the most cost-effective option for these capabilities, which were accounted and paid with existing funds in SSE's fiscal framework. The Challenger 650 aircraft is the current production version of the model that the CAF currently operates. This commonality will result in significant benefits in efficiency, cost, and interoperability, both in terms of training and support to operations. “This purchase is another example of our government's commitment to provide the Canadian Armed Forces with the modern equipment they need to carry out the critical work we ask of them. This fleet is a crucial operational capability and ensuring its continuity is another important investment in our women and men in uniform,” said Harjit S. Sajjan, minister of National Defence. “While helping to fulfill the Royal Canadian Air Force's (RCAF) operational requirements, this purchase also demonstrates our commitment to Canada's world-class aerospace industry. Having this ready, off-the-shelf option also offers long-term value to the RCAF and to Canada,” said Anita Anand, minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada. https://www.skiesmag.com/news/caf-inks-deal-with-bombardier-to-replace-two-30-year-old-challenger-aircraft
May 29, 2023 | Local, Other Defence
May 29, 2023 – Ottawa, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, will travel to Singapore from June 2-3, 2023, to advance Canada’s defence relationships with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. Minister Anand will be joined by General Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff. During her trip, Minister Anand will attend the Shangri-La Dialogue – the premier annual conference on Indo-Pacific security that brings together defence ministers, senior officials, and defence experts from more than 50 countries. In Singapore, Minister Anand, General Eyre, and National Defence officials will meet with counterparts from countries in the region and around the world, to discuss how Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy is advancing a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific Region. June 3, 2023 -- 9:30 am (Singapore Time) - Minister Anand will deliver plenary remarks during a session entitled Building a Stable and Balanced Asia-Pacific. Open to media. Media should contact press@iiss.org https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2023/05/defence-minister-anita-anand-to-visit-singapore-to-advance-indo-pacific-security.html