January 7, 2019 | Local, Aerospace

Recrafting the Fighter role

It's clear that combat capabilities and operations are being recrafted across the globe and, as operational contexts change, the evolution of the role of fighters is at the center of that shift. This year's International Fighter Conference held in Berlin provided a chance to focus on the role of fighters in the strategic shift from land wars to higher intensity operations. The baseline assumption for the conference can be simply put: air superiority can no longer be assumed, and needs to be created in contested environments.

Competitors like China and Russia are putting significant effort into shaping concepts of operations and modernizing force structures which will allow them to challenge the ability of liberal democracies to establish air superiority and to dominate future crises.

There was a clear consensus on this point, but, of course, working the specifics of defeating such an adversary brings in broader concepts of force design and operations. While the air forces of liberal democracies all face the common threat of operating in contested airspace, the preferred solutions vary greatly from one nation to another, so the conference worked from that common assumption rather than focusing on specific solutions.

The coming of the F-35 global enterprise is a clear force for change. In one presentation, a senior RAF officer outlined how the UK would both contribute to and benefit from the F-35 global enterprise. “The future is now,” he began, as he laid out how he saw interactions among F-35 partners in shaping common and distinctive approaches to air power modernization driven by the introduction of the F-35.

Full article: https://defence.frontline.online/article/2018/6/10980-Recrafting-the-Fighter-role

On the same subject

February 4, 2019 | Local, Naval

Contracts awarded to enhance tracking and detecting capabilities of Halifax-class frigates
February 1st, 2019 –– Halifax (N.-S.) –– National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces As outlined in Canada's defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, the Government of Canada is providing the Royal Canadian Navy with enhanced naval intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems. Today, on behalf of Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan, the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Rural Economic Development, announced the award of two contracts valued at $186 million to General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada to upgrade and maintain underwater sensors installed in the modernized Halifax-class frigates. The majority of this work will occur in Canada, creating and maintaining about 120 highly skilled jobs while supporting the continued growth and competitive advantage of the underwater sensor industrial capabilities in Canada. As a result of this investment, the Halifax-class frigates will be able to detect quieter targets at increased ranges. In addition, improved automation will allow sonar operators to improve their underwater warfare performance work and to focus on other priorities. This will make our frigates more effective in both coastal regions and the open-ocean. The Halifax-class multi-role frigates will remain the key contributor to naval operations for the next 20 years. The contracts announced today will increase the frigates' overall ability to deal with emerging and future threats, and ensure that the women and men of our Royal Canadian Navy have what they need to do the important job we ask of them. Quotes “Through our defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, we are investing in the women and men of our Royal Canadian Navy and making sure they are well equipped to address emerging threats. Threat detection is critical to initiate rapid defence countermeasures that protect our sailors and our ships. As the security environment continues to evolve, we will continue to adapt our naval capabilities, enabling effective defence of Canadian waters and meaningful contribution to international operations and exercises.” Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence “Communities across Canada, and here in Nova Scotia, will greatly benefit from this important long-term investment in skilled employment in Canada's technology sector. Our Government is making sure defence contracts bring prosperity and support as well as critical Canadian Armed Forces equipment. ” Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Rural Economic Development “The Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy helps to create jobs, supports innovation and stimulates economic growth in Canadian communities. These contracts will continue to advance Key Industrial Capabilities in Canada and help support our Royal Canadian Navy.” Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development “Our Government is committed to building a more agile, better-equipped military, while supporting the Canadian economy. These enhancements to the Halifax-class frigates will provide the Royal Canadian Navy with the latest technology it needs to detect incoming threats.” Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility “Defence contracts create tangible benefits for Canadians. These defence contracts will bring highly skilled jobs and generate economic opportunities to communities on the East Coast and in Canada for many years, while supporting the operations of the Royal Canadian Navy. Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism Quick facts Halifax-class frigate sonar operators detect, locate and track surface and sub-surface threats through the continuous monitoring and collection of information via high-tech sensors. The $186 million contracts include acquisition and upgrade for the first six Halifax-class frigates ($103 million) and in-service support (potentially $83 million). The contracts include options to upgrade all twelve Halifax-class frigates, which would bring the acquisition portion of to $170 million. The in-service support contract will maintain and sustain upgraded suites for up to 23 years, if all options are exercised. The first installation of the upgraded underwater warfare suite is expected to be completed in 2021 and operational in 2022. Licensed Defence Research and Development Canada Intellectual Property forms the basis of the winning technical bid for the UWSU Project. A repository of re-usable software has been developed over 25 years by DRDC in support of RCN and RCAF technology demonstration projects in underwater warfare. The Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy applies to this project, creating jobs and supporting key industrial capabilities in Canada. Associated links Canadian Patrol Frigates Halifax-class modernization and frigate life extension https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2019/02/contracts-awarded-to-enhance-tracking-and-detecting-capabilities-of-halifax-class-frigates.html
October 10, 2018 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

Government of Canada Signs Defence Cooperation Arrangement with Mexico
News release October 9, 2018 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces Canada and Mexico share a common interest in addressing issues of mutual concern, in order to advance our respective nations' security and prosperity. Both countries are committed to establishing stronger defence ties and enhancing hemispheric relations. Canada's support to the Americas is multifaceted, helping contribute to the safety and stability of the region, while adhering to and exemplifying the values of Canadians. Highlighting those mutually shared priorities, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan today signed the Canada-Mexico Defence Cooperation Arrangement with General Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda, Secretary of National Defense and Admiral Vidal Francisco Sob&lrm;erón Sanz, Secretary of the Navy. The signing of a bilateral Canada-Mexico Defence Cooperation Arrangement is an important step forward in the evolving Canada-Mexico relationship. This Defence Cooperation Arrangement will provide a mechanism to further collaborate in a number of key areas, including defence education, training, and capacity building; defence materiel; peace support operations; and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Quotes "Canada and Mexico enjoy a close partnership, including strong defence ties. Canada welcomes the signing of this Defence Cooperation Arrangement with our friend and hemispheric partner, Mexico, on the margins of a successful Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas. &lrm;We look forward to continuing to work with Mexico to advance our shared defence priorities." Harjit S. Sajjan, Defence Minister Quick facts The Canada-Mexico Defence Cooperation Arrangement was signed on the margins of the Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas held in Mexico from October 7 to October 10, 2018. Both Canada and Mexico's commitment to establishing stronger defence ties has resulted in measured progress in defence engagement over the last few years including high-level visits, strategic and operational dialogue, and training opportunities. Mexico has been a member of the Military Training and Cooperation Program (MTCP) since 2004. For 2018/19, 73 MTCP course allocations to Mexico are planned, subject to in-year change, including senior staff positions on the prestigious National Security Program, Joint Command and Staff Program, and Army Operations Course. Associated links Canada – Mexico Relations Contacts Byrne Furlong Press Secretary Office of the Minister of National Defence Phone: 613-996-3100 Email: byrne.furlong@forces.gc.ca Media Relations Department of National Defence Phone: 613-996-2353 Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2018/10/government-of-canada-signs-defence-cooperation-arrangement-with-mexico.html
January 5, 2023 | Local, Naval

Cost of new Arctic patrol ships jumps by $780 million
National Defence and Public Services and Procurement Canada noted in a statement sent Wednesday to this newspaper that the extra money was needed to deal with reduced labour availability, higher costs as a result of COVID protocols such as screening and cleaning, and price increases on transportation and spare parts.

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