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  November 23, 2020 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

  Minister Sajjan Wraps Up 12th Annual Halifax International Security Forum

  From: National Defence Collaboration and dialogue with the international community is critical for Canada in addressing emerging security threats and ensuring the safety of all Canadians. Canada is committed to upholding the rules-based international order, both diplomatically and through our military deployments around the world, to foster a safer, more peaceful, and prosperous place. Collaboration and dialogue with the international community is critical for Canada in addressing emerging security threats and ensuring the safety of all Canadians. Canada is committed to upholding the rules-based international order, both diplomatically and through our military deployments around the world, to foster a safer, more peaceful, and prosperous place. The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, virtually co-hosted the 12th annual edition of the Halifax International Security Forum (HISF) with the President of HISF Inc., Mr. Peter Van Praagh, from November 20-22. The forum was an opportunity for defence ministers, senior officials from international organizations, representatives from academia and industry, and defence and security experts from over 51 countries to discuss current and emerging issues of global security and prosperity. During the forum, Minister Sajjan underlined the importance of Canada being strong at home, secure in North America, and engaged in the world. Minister Sajjan reaffirmed the importance of multilateralism, as allies and partners balance international commitments with critical needs at home. Discussions covered a broad range of topics including democracy, human rights, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of international cooperation in facing today's challenges. Quotes “The global pandemic is having an impact on virtually everything we do, from running errands to running a country. This makes the conversations we had with our Allies and Partners at HISF this year as, if not more, important than ever before. I am confident that we will continue striking the necessary balance between critical health needs at home, supporting each other with medical supplies and expertise, and defending our sovereignty from adversaries who would do us harm. For me, this really brings home the importance of multilateralism.” The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence Quick facts The Halifax International Security Forum connected more than 250 defence leaders from across the world, including senior government and military officials, policymakers, opinion leaders, academics, and members of the business community from like-minded nations. The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces are committed to demonstrating leadership in reflecting Canadian ideals of diversity, respect and inclusion, including striving for gender equality, and building a workforce that leverages the diversity and multicultural fabric of Canadian society. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2020/11/minister-sajjan-wraps-up-12th-annual-halifax-international-security-forum.html

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  May 14, 2018 | Local, Aerospace

  Aircraft used by Snowbirds aerobatic team, on the go since 1963, will be kept flying until 2030

  An avionics upgrade is required if the planes are to continue flying in North American airspace, but it is unclear at this point what other work will also be needed to be done on the aging aircraft. The 55-year-old planes used by the Canadian military's iconic Snowbirds aerobatic team will be kept flying until 2030. Aircraft avionics will be modernized on the CT-114 Tutors to comply with upcoming aviation regulations and the life of the aircraft extended for another 12 years, according to April 2018 Royal Canadian Air Force documents obtained by Postmedia. The avionics upgrade is required if the planes are to continue flying in North American airspace. It is unclear at this point what other work will also be needed to be done on the aging aircraft. No information was available on what the modernization program will cost taxpayers. The planes have been in the Canadian Forces inventory since 1963 and have been used by the Snowbirds since 1971. The Tutors were supposed to have been retired in 2010, but that date was extended to 2020. This latest initiative would see the aircraft removed from the flight line when they are 67 years old. Aerospace firms will be consulted about the life extension program over the next two years, according to the documents. A request for proposals will be issued in 2021, aerospace industry officials meeting in Ottawa last month were told. “It is anticipated that equipment ordered would begin to be delivered in 2022,” the RCAF confirmed in an email to Postmedia. “Ultimately, the goal of the CT-114 Tutor Aircraft life extension project is to allow the RCAF to continue its Air Demonstration mission to highlight the professionalism and capabilities of its airmen and airwomen.” The RCAF is facing a dilemma with replacing the aircraft used by the Snowbirds. The federal government has indicated it wants the aerobatic team to continue operating and the Snowbirds are seen as a key public relations tool for the military. But some in the Canadian Forces have privately questioned spending money on the Snowbirds because they do not directly contribute combat capabilities to the air force. The Tutors were originally used as jet trainers for the RCAF, but that role has been transferred to other aircraft. Various military documents obtained by Postmedia show the back-and-forth debate on what to do with the Tutors. Replacing the Tutors would be expensive. In 2012 the Canadian Forces estimated it would cost $755 million to buy a new fleet of planes for the aerobatic team, according to documents obtained by Postmedia through the Access to Information law. A current replacement cost was not available. In 2008, the Canadian Forces examined options for replacing the Tutors in either 2015 or 2020. But officials decided on the 2020 date because of concerns about the cost of purchasing new planes. “Although extending to the CT114 to 2020 will be technically challenging, overall it can be achieved with minimal risk and at significantly lower cost when compared against a new aircraft acquisition,” a briefing note for then Conservative Defence Minister Peter MacKay pointed out in November 2008. That conclusion, however, was in contrast to an earlier examination of the aircraft. “Due to obsolescence issues, in the 2010 time frame, the Tutor will no longer be a viable aircraft for the Snowbirds,” an April 2006 briefing note for then-air force commander Lt.-Gen. Steve Lucas pointed out. In the past, the air force also examined leasing aircraft for the Snowbirds. In addition it looked at, but rejected, a suggestion to substitute CF-18 fighter aircraft for the Tutors. Using CF-18s would increase the ability of the Snowbirds to perform around the world, but reduce their availability for smaller venues in Canada that have runways too short to accommodate the jets, the air force concluded. As well, the CF-18s would be 20 times more expensive to operate than the Tutors. Thousands of Canadians every year watch the team perform, and the Snowbirds are a fixture at Canada Day celebrations and air shows across the country. “The Snowbirds also contribute more than any other Canadian performer to the success and viability of the billion-dollar air-show industry in Canada and North America,” according to Department of National Defence documents. http://nationalpost.com/news/aircraft-used-by-snowbirds-aerobatic-team-on-the-go-since-1963-will-be-kept-flying-until-2030

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  March 8, 2021 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

  Investing in Canadian Solutions for COVID-19//Investir dans les solutions canadiennes pour combattre la COVID-19

  Investing in Canadian Solutions for COVID-19 In the spring of 2020, IDEaS pivoted to capitalize on the novel ideas of Canadian innovators in the fight against COVID-19. We are proud to report that 48 contribution agreements were awarded in the past few months, valued at $8.64 million, and were recently announced by Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan. The new contribution agreements will support research and development efforts in the realm of COVID-19 in four specific challenge areas: sanitization of workspaces; pandemic decision making; re-using protective equipment; and moral trauma on the frontline. You can read the news release and see the full list of recipients here. Investing in Defence & Security Capabilities: Read the 2019-2020 IDEaS Annual Report See how some of your IDEaS have come to life! IDEaS has invested significantly in Canadian S&T over the last year, and organizations have been transforming their innovative thinking into tangible solutions for CAF and DND. We wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate our collective efforts and achievements in the IDEaS 2019-2020 Annual Report IDEaS has been able to continue building on the success achieved in 2019-2020. To date we have funded over 440 defence and security solutions and invested more than $160M in Canadian innovators. See the full list of IDEaS funded recipients. And some of these solutions are already being delivered to defence & security stakeholders! Investir dans les solutions canadiennes pour combattre la COVID-19 Au printemps 2020, IDEeS s'est orienté pour capitaliser sur les nouvelles idées des innovateurs canadiens dans la lutte contre la COVID-19. Nous sommes fiers d'annoncer que 48 accords de contribution, d'une valeur de 8,64 millions de dollars, ont été signés et annoncés récemment par le ministre de la Défense Harjit S. Sajjan. Les nouveaux accords de contribution appuieront les efforts de recherche et développement dans le cadre de la COVID-19 dans quatre domaines de recherches spécifiques: • désinfecter les espaces de travail; • prise de décisions dans le cadre d'une pandémie; • réutiliser l'équipement de protection; et • traumatisme moral en première ligne. Vous pouvez lire le communiqué de presse et voir la liste complète des récipiendaires. Investir dans le développement de capacités en défense et sécurité: Lisez le rapport annuel 2019-2020 du programme IDEeS Regardez comment certaines de vos IDEeS ont pris vie ! IDEeS a investi considérablement dans la Science et la Technologie canadienne au cours de la dernière année, et les organisations ont transformé leur pensée novatrice en solutions concrètes pour les FAC et le MDN. Nous voulions profiter de l'occasion pour célébrer nos efforts collectifs et nos réalisations dans le rapport annuel 2019-2020 du programme IDEeS. IDEeS a pu continuer à miser sur le succès obtenu en 2019-2020. À ce jour, nous avons financé plus de 440 solutions de défense et de sécurité et investi plus de 160 millions de dollars sur des innovateurs canadiens. Consultez la liste complète des récipiendaires financés par IDEeS. Et plusieurs de ces solutions sont en train d'être transférées à nos partenaires de la défense et de la sécurité.