February 23, 2021 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security
EDC overview of the changes to U.S. government procurement
This EDC report offers an overview of the changes to U.S. government procurement and implications for Canadian companies.
December 23, 2022 | Local, Aerospace
Minister Anand announces Cormorant Mid-Life Upgrade and Simulator Solution Contracts Award to ensure continued Search and Rescue capabilities
December 22, 2022 - National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces – Ottawa, Ontario
Today, Minister of National Defence Anita Anand, on behalf of Minister of Public Services and Procurement, Helena Jaczek, announced the award of two contracts to support the
CH-149 Cormorant helicopter fleet and ensure the continued contribution of the fleet to Canada’s search and rescue (SAR) operations.
The two contracts for the Cormorant Mid-Life Upgrade and its simulator solution, valued at up to $1.24 billion (taxes included), were awarded to CAE Inc. of Montreal, Canada and to Leonardo U.K. Ltd of Yeovil, United Kingdom.
The CH-149 Cormorant fleet has been providing reliable and crucial service to Canada since 2001 and requires upgrades to remain operationally effective. Through the contract with Leonardo U.K. Ltd., we will upgrade our current fleet to the most advanced version of the helicopter, and acquire additional airframes/parts to increase our fleet size from 13 to 16 aircraft. This will ensure that we can continue to perform SAR operations from Comox, B.C., Gander, N.L., Greenwood, N.S., and add to the SAR capacity from Trenton, Ont.
Moreover, this project addresses the need for an improved training solution. By providing a domestic flight simulator configured to our modernized aircraft, our aircrews will have dedicated training capacity in Canada that is representative of our modernized fleet; and will no longer need to travel to the United Kingdom to train on simulators that may not be consistent with our aircraft.
As outlined in Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, the Government of Canada is making investments to ensure the members of the Royal Canadian Air Force have the equipment they need to fulfill their domestic and international missions, including SAR operations here at home.
Quotes
“The top item in my mandate letter from the Prime Minister is to ensure that the Canadian Armed Forces has the capabilities, equipment and culture needed to implement the objectives in our Defence Policy. The CH-149 Cormorant helicopter is a critical asset for search and rescue operations in Canada – and these contracts provide the best solution for Canada to upgrade its fleet and provide the accompanying training tools to our aviators so that they can continue to keep Canadians safe – now, and in the years to come.”
- The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence
“I am pleased that today’s contract award announcement to CAE Inc. and Leonardo U.K. Ltd will enable our government to continue to provide the Royal Canadian Air Force and its members with the advanced equipment they need to do their job, at the best value for Canadians.”
- The Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister of Public Services and Procurement
“Through these contracts, our government will provide the Canadian Armed Forces with the equipment it needs while ensuring long-term economic benefits for Canadians. This procurement will advance Canadian innovation in our world-class defence and aerospace industries while creating jobs and contributing to economic growth in Canada”
- The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
Quick facts
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These contracts are valued at $1.168 billion for the helicopter upgrades, and $78 million for the training solution (taxes included).
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Capability enhancements and equipment improvements will be implemented on the CH-149 fleet to improve service to Canadians and meet the operational availability requirements to support the national 24/7 SAR service.
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With this project the CH-149 fleet will be upgraded to the most advanced version of the helicopter, the AW101 612; the same model Norway has recently procured to conduct its rotary-wing SAR missions. Using this already established configuration accelerates the project considerably. Training solutions will also be acquired under the project to move aircrew training home to Canada.
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Additional airframes/parts will be acquired from Leonardo U.K. Ltd to increase the fleet size from 13 to 16 helicopters. These additional aircraft, will be produced with predominantly new parts and some used parts in inventory from the VH-71 and current CH-149 fleets which include transmissions, landing gears and control surfaces to reduce costs and ensure value for money.
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CH-149 Cormorant aircraft are currently based at 19 Wing Comox, 9 Wing Gander, and 14 Wing Greenwood and the addition of aircraft will enable a return to 8 Wing Trenton.
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Delivery of these upgrades and training systems are expected to begin in 2026, and anticipated to be fully operational in 2029.
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The Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy will leverage economic benefits for Canadian industry equal to the value of the contracts. Leonardo U.K. Ltd and CAE Inc. are working with several Canadian companies as part of their industrial commitments to Canada including in Key Industrial Capability (KIC) areas such as defence system integration, training and simulation, aerospace systems and components.
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Through the application of Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy, both CAE Inc. and Leonardo U.K. Ltd will enter into high quality business activities within the world class Canadian aerospace and defence industry.
On the same subject
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March 10, 2023 | Local, Other Defence
Ottawa fast-tracks weapon purchase as military commanders warn of numerous other gaps
OTTAWA ? Defence Minister Anita Anand promised to fast-track the purchase of several weapon systems for Canadian soldiers in Europe on Thursday, even as senior commanders painted a stark picture of the numerous other challenges facing the Canada's mi
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November 29, 2021 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security
3 New R&D Challenges & CyberSecure Program / 3 nouveaux défis de R&D et programme CyberSécuritaire
(le français suit) We launched 3 new R&D funding opportunities! We worked with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) to release three new challenges. With the launch of these opportunities, ISC has surpassed our 100th challenge milestone! Think you can solve any of the below challenges? Compete for funding to prove your feasibility and develop a solution! Apply online SME News: Get certified with new cybersecurity program See below to learn more about CyberSecure, a federal certification program to help SMEs improve cybersecurity practices. High Performance Low Cost Detection of Biomarkers The NRC is seeking robust cost effective point-of-care testing innovations. This challenge closes on December 23rd, 2021 at 2pm EST! Reducing Airborne Transmission of Respiratory Viruses in Buildings Lacking a Mechanical Ventilation System The NRC is seeking the Canadian industry to develop and manufacture building technologies and products that can protect occupants by effectively mitigating airborne transmission of respiratory viruses in buildings lacking a mechanical ventilation system. This challenges closes December 23rd, 2021 at 2pm EST! Made-in-Canada Compostable Elastomeric Materials for Medical Glove Manufacturing The NRC, in collaboration with Environment & Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Health Canada (HC) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), are seeking solutions for Made-in-Canada sustainable elastomeric materials, that are compostable, to be used in the manufacturing of an equivalent alternative to disposable medical gloves. This challenges closes December 23rd, 2021 at 2pm EST! Get certified with CyberSecure Canada CyberSecure Canada is the country's cybersecurity certification program for SMEs. Learn more about how you can enhance your competitive advantage by letting your supply chain know you're a trusted business partner. Nous avons lancé 3 nouvelles opportunités de financement R&D ! Nous avons travaillé avec le Conseil national de recherches du Canada (CNRC) pour lancer trois nouveaux défis. Avec le lancement de ces opportunités, SIC a dépassé le cap de son 100ème défi ! Vous pensez pouvoir résoudre l'un des défis ci-dessous ? Appliquer pour compétitionner au financement afin de prouver votre faisabilité et de développer une solution ! Postulez en ligne Nouvelles des PME : Obtenez une certification gr'ce au nouveau programme de cybersécurité Voir ci-dessous pour en savoir plus sur CyberSécuritaire, un programme de certification fédéral visant à aider les PME à améliorer leurs pratiques en matière de cybersécurité. Détection haute performance à faible coût de biomarqueurs Le CNRC cherche des solutions innovantes, robustes et économiques pour des tests effectués sur les lieux de prestation de soins. Ce défi se termine le 23 decembre, 2021 à 14 h HNE. Réduction de la transmission par voie aérienne des virus respiratoires à l'intérieur des immeubles sans système de ventilation mécanique Le CNRC invite les industriels canadiens à développer des technologies et des systèmes permettant de protéger efficacement les occupants des immeubles sans système de ventilation mécanique en atténuant la transmission par voie aérienne des virus respiratoires. Ce défi se termine le 23 decembre, 2021 à 14 h HNE. Élastomères de fabrication canadienne pour la confection des gants médicaux Le CNRC, en collaboration avec Environnement et Changement climatique Canada (ECCC), Santé Canada (SC) et Ressources naturelles Canada (RNCan), est à la recherche de solutions faisant appel à des élastomères écologiques et compostables, fabriqués au Canada, qui pourront être utilisés pour la fabrication d'un nouveau type de gants médicaux jetables. Ce défi se termine le 23 decembre, 2021 à 14 h HNE. Soyez certifié avec CyberSécuritaire Canada CyberSécuritaire Canada est le programme de certification en cybersécurité réservé aux petites et moyennes entreprises. Découvrez comment vous pouvez renforcer votre avantage concurrentiel au niveau supérieur en informant votre chaîne logistique que vous êtes un partenaire d'affaires de confiance.