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December 16, 2019 | Local, Aerospace

Trudeau directs ministers to cement fighter deal

by Ken Pole

The long-overdue replacement of the Royal Canadian Air Force's fleet of Boeing CF-188 Hornets was highlighted Dec. 13 in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's mandate letters to his new cabinet.

Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, who had the fighter program in his sights throughout his first four years in the portfolio, and Public Services and Procurement Minister Anita Anand, a newcomer to Parliament, have been directed to co-operate on finally getting a contract.

There are three remaining contenders: Lockheed Martin's F-35A Lightning II, Boeing's F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, and the Saab Gripen E/F.

Trudeau's letter to Sajjan makes it clear that new fighters would be part of a renewed commitment not only to national defence, but also to the continental umbrella afforded by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) as well as meeting international commitments through the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

While cabinet veteran Navdeep Bains, minister of Innovation, Science & Industry, is not mentioned in Sajjan's letter, he is referred to in Anand's letter, mainly due to his ministry's oversight of industrial spinoffs from the fighter contract.

https://www.skiesmag.com/news/trudeau-directs-ministers-to-cement-fighter-deal

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    February 7, 2020 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security

    MRO and Defence and Security Innovation Day

    MRO and Defence and Security Innovation Day Event date April 22, 2020 Event location Palais des congrès de Montréal 1001 Jean Paul Riopelle Pl, Montreal, QC H2Z 1H5 Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle, Montréal, QC H2Z 1H5 Contact CHARLOTTE LARAMÉE charlotte.laramee@aeromontreal.ca Back to List AÉRO MONTRÉAL EVENTS As part of our innovation efforts this year, we are inviting the defence and MRO sectors to a combined one-day event. Participants may choose among discussions about defence and MRO in the morning; workshops and/or B2B sessions and visit of the exhibition area in the afternoon. Defence Program This event will provide detailed insight of the defence innovation programs and needs of the defence sector for the coming years and the challenges related to disruptive technologies and cybersecurity. Furthermore, several useful conferences related to business development in defence will be held for both Canada and the export markets. MRO In this era of globalization, the aerospace sector must face the growing pressure of the foreign competition and needs to be ready to face new challenges such as labor shortage and climate change. This conference will shed light on new innovative solutions and business models, allowing MRO sector companies to better understand what is at stake and how to be ready. You will also be able to meet in B2B/B2G format the OEMs, their Tier 1 suppliers and government officials related to these projects in defence and MRO.

  • Minister Anand announces Cormorant Mid-Life Upgrade and Simulator Solution Contracts Award to ensure continued Search and Rescue capabilities

    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. 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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. 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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.  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.  https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2022/12/minister-anand-announces-cormorant-mid-life-upgrade-and-simulator-solution-contracts-award-to-ensure-continued-search-and-rescue-capabilities.html

  • Bluedrop to deliver CH-149 hoist training system to the RCAF

    May 31, 2019 | Local, Aerospace

    Bluedrop to deliver CH-149 hoist training system to the RCAF

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