April 17, 2020 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security
Bruxelles) Les adversaires potentiels des pays de l'OTAN vont tenter de profiter de la crise économique provoquée par la COVID-19 pour essayer de prendre le contrôle d'entreprises ou d'infrastructures stratégiques et de saper l'unité de l'Alliance, a averti mercredi son secrétaire général Jens Stoltenberg.
Publié le 15 avril 2020 à 14h41
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
« Cette crise pourrait avoir des effets géopolitiques majeurs », a-t-il affirmé au cours d'un point de presse à l'issue d'une réunion en vidéoconférence avec les ministres de la Défense de l'Alliance.
« La crise économique pourrait permettre des investissements dans des industries et des infrastructures stratégiques », a-t-il expliqué. « Il est important de protéger ces entreprises », a-t-il insisté.
Jens Stoltenberg n'a pas cité les États ou les groupes impliqués dans ces prises de contrôle, mais la mise en garde vise surtout les importants investissements réalisés par la Chine dans les infrastructures portuaires et les télécommunications en Europe.
« La vente d'infrastructures stratégiques par les pays les plus vulnérables pourrait saper la capacité de résistance des pays de l'Alliance en cas de nouvelle crise », a estimé le secrétaire général de l'OTAN.
Les pays de l'OTAN ont « besoin d'infrastructures et de télécommunications fiables en temps de crise », a souligné le Norvégien.
Jens Stoltenberg a également insisté sur la nécessité de combattre la désinformation sur les actions menées par les alliés et leur unité.
« Nous devons contrer les campagnes de désinformation menées par des acteurs étatiques et non étatiques sur les réseaux sociaux qui visent à nous diviser et à nous fragiliser avec de fausses informations sur l'aide mutuelle que nous nous apportons », a-t-il dit.
« La meilleure réponse passe par une presse libre qui vérifie les faits et pose des questions parfois difficiles », a-t-il soutenu.
« Il est encore trop tôt pour tirer les enseignements de cette crise, mais nous devons être préparés pour la prochaine », a-t-il affirmé.
« La croissance est touchée et les dépenses publiques également », a-t-il reconnu.
Les membres de l'Alliance se sont engagés à consacrer 2 % de leur PIB national à leurs dépenses de défense en 2024.
Jens Stoltenberg a toutefois expliqué l'importance des investissements dans les capacités militaires, car elles viennent « comme une capacité d'appoint ».
« L'OTAN n'est pas le principal intervenant en cas de crise sanitaire, mais elle peut soutenir les efforts du secteur civil », a-t-il soutenu.
« La principale leçon de cette crise est le lien étroit entre les efforts civils et la capacité de soutien des forces militaires. Il faudra voir comment l'améliorer avant la prochaine crise », a déclaré Jens Stoltenberg.
Il s'est refusé à tout commentaire sur la suspension de la contribution américaine à l'Organisation mondiale de la santé.
July 24, 2024 | Local, Land
Canadian efforts to boost ammunition production among domestic firms is caught in a “hamster wheel” of red tape, warns industry official
July 23, 2019 | Local, Aerospace
GATINEAU, QC, July 23, 2019 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is ensuring the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces have the equipment they need to do their jobs. As part of its defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, the government is acquiring 88 advanced fighter jets to provide the capability the Canadian Armed Forces needs to ensure the safety and security of Canadians and meet its international obligations. This is the most significant investment in the Royal Canadian Air Force in more than 30 years. With it, the government will deliver the aircraft that meet Canada's needs, while ensuring good value for Canadians. This investment will support the growth of Canada's highly skilled workforce in the aerospace and defence industries for decades to come, from coast to coast. Today, the government achieved a major milestone in the process. Following extensive engagement with industry and eligible suppliers over the past 18 months, the formal Request for Proposals has now been released to eligible suppliers. The following suppliers have until spring 2020 to submit initial proposals to Canada: Sweden—SAAB AB (publ)—Aeronautics United Kingdom and Northern Ireland—Airbus Defense and Space GmbH (with MBDA UK Limited, L3 Technologies MAS and CAE Canada) United States—Lockheed Martin Corporation (Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company) (with Pratt and Whitney) United States—The Boeing Company (with Peraton Canada Corp., CAE Inc., L3 Technologies MAS Inc., GE Canada and Raytheon Canada Limited Services and Support Division) Canada will provide two opportunities for all bidders to demonstrate that they can present a plan to meet Canada'ssecurity and interoperability requirements. The security offer is due in fall 2019, and following feedback from Canada, bidders may revise and resubmit that offer as part of the initial proposal in spring 2020. Bidders will also have an opportunity to address deficiencies in their proposals related to mandatory criteria. Rather than being rejected immediately for not meeting mandatory requirements, bidders will receive feedback from Canadaso that they can address non-compliance. This approach has already been used for other large federal procurements and has proven to be successful in maintaining a high level of competition. All bidders will be subject to the same evaluation criteria, and proposals will be rigorously assessed on elements of technical merit (60%), cost (20%) and economic benefits (20%). This procurement attributes one of the highest weightings to economic benefits for Canada in its history. All suppliers will be required to provide a plan for economic benefits equal to the value of their proposed contract, with maximum points only being awarded to suppliers who provide contractual guarantees. This open and transparent competition is being monitored by an independent Fairness Monitor to ensure a level playing field for all potential bidders. The Fairness Monitor's interim report on the supplier qualification and engagement process found that activities were conducted in a fair manner. The Fairness Monitor provided the following statement to Public Services and Procurement Canada: "As the Fairness Monitor for the Future Fighter Capability Project, we have monitored the project throughout the qualification and engagement stage, including the development of the Request for Proposals, and we have identified no fairness deficiencies. It is our opinion that the process has been conducted in a fair manner. Decisions were made objectively and free from personal favouritism or improper influence, and the process encompassed the elements of openness, competitiveness, transparency and compliance." The evaluation of proposals, including any revised proposals, is expected to result in identifying the selected bidder in early 2022, with the first aircraft delivery starting as early as 2025. The Government of Canada will continue making progress on this significant project to ensure the safety and security of Canadians over the coming decades. Quotes "Our government is delivering on its promise to replace Canada's fighter jet fleet through an open and transparent competition. Today marks an important step in the process that will provide the women and men of the Royal Canadian Air Force with the aircraft they need to help ensure the safety and security of Canadians, at the right price and with the most economic benefit to Canada." The Honourable Carla Qualtrough Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility "The procurement of a fleet of 88 future fighter aircraft is an essential step forward that our government committed to in Strong, Secure, Engaged. This investment will mean that the Royal Canadian Air Force has what it needs to protect Canadians. It is essential that we get the right equipment that will serve our women and men in uniform for decades to come." The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan Minister of National Defence "Concrete, lasting economic benefits for Canadians are a priority for this project. This procurement is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to support the growth of Canada's highly skilled workforce in the aerospace and defence industries. We are confident Canadians will reap the full value of this procurement process through investments, research and development, and good jobs for decades to come." The Honourable Navdeep Bains Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Quick facts The Government of Canada has remained engaged with the Canadian aerospace and defence industries since the launch of this process in December 2017, to ensure they are well positioned to participate in this procurement. A contract award is anticipated in the early 2022 timeframe, and the first replacement aircraft is expected to be delivered as early as 2025. Transition to a new fighter fleet will require continuing operations with the existing CF-18s until the new fleet reaches its full operational capability. The integration of additional Australian fighters is helping ensure that the Canadian Armed Forces has the equipment it needs to continue to deliver its missions, and to meet its international obligations. Associated links Future fighter capability project Fighter jets Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Facebook SOURCE Public Services and Procurement Canada For further information: Marielle Hossack, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, 819-997-5421; Media Relations, Public Services and Procurement Canada, 819-420-5501, media@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca Related Links www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/canada-announces-next-step-in-future-fighter-competition-838355040.html
October 16, 2018 | Local, Aerospace
Goose Creek, S.C. —October 15, 2018— TRU Simulation + Training, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, and FlightSafety International have entered into a letter of intent to form a joint venture to provide the industry-leading training solution for Textron Aviation‘s broad product line of business and general aviation aircraft. TRU and FlightSafety will combine their assets and capabilities, including their simulators, courseware, and world-class teams, to support their global customers' training needs. “The combination of our training capabilities will enable us to provide best-in-class pilot and maintenance training programs to our customers around the world,” said David Davenport, Co-CEO and President, Commercial, FlightSafety International. “For more than 40 years FlightSafety has served Textron Aviation customers, and this venture will allow us to offer more flexible training options leveraging the capabilities of both organizations. We also want to recognize Bruce Whitman's significant contributions. He was instrumental in the initial planning and actively participated in the development of this important agreement. As always, Bruce's focus was to ensure that the joint venture would benefit our customers and enhance the training they receive.” “The new joint venture will enhance our ability to service our growing customer base,” said Gunnar Kleveland, president of TRU Simulation + Training Inc. “With Textron Aviation continuing to expand its product portfolio with aircraft such as the Latitude, Longitude, Hemisphere, Denali and SkyCourier, it is critical we provide the full scope of training services our customers require. This joint venture will allow us to better address that demand.” TRU will serve as the exclusive supplier of new Textron Aviation simulators to the joint venture. TRU will also continue its other operations, including the design and manufacture of training simulators and provide training solutions for the global aviation industry and military customers. The transaction is expected to close in the next several months, subject to finalizing definitive documentation and regulatory approval. https://www.trusimulation.com/news/10-15-2018/tru-and-flightsafety-international-announce-joint-venture-offer-combined-training-solution-textron