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Canadian companies that bid on American government contracts could be cut out of the procurement process if Joe Biden follows through on his Buy American plan after he becomes U.S. president today, according to business and trade experts. Jan 20, 2021 4:00 AM By: Canadian Press Updated Jan 20, 2021 4:05 AM Canadian companies that bid on American government contracts could be cut out of the procurement process if Joe Biden follows through on his Buy American plan after he becomes U.S. president today, according to business and trade experts. Manufacturers and exporters in Canada supply a vast range of equipment to public works projects in the U.S. from school buildings to wastewater treatment facilities. But Biden's promise to prioritize U.S.-based suppliers and products made on American soil could hurt Canadian companies by blocking them from bidding for work, especially after he unveils an infrastructure plan next month. The Made-in-America endeavour could disrupt the Canada-U.S. supply chain and lead to significant trade tensions, experts say. Yet the hardest hit firms will be those directly involved in U.S. government contracts, they say. “If you're in the business of supplying government procurement projects like municipal infrastructure, those are the companies most at risk,” said Dennis Darby, president and CEO of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters. Stricter Buy American rules for federal procurement could hurt manufacturing on both sides of the border, he said. “Manufacturers are so integrated across North America,” Darby said, noting that a lot of what Canadian companies make are the “bits and pieces” that go into the continental supply chain. “When U.S. manufacturers do well, so do Canadian manufacturers. We're all part of the same supply chain.” The biggest losers in an era of greater U.S. protectionism are likely to be a broad cross-section of Canadian firms supplying products to American municipalities, rather than specific sectors, experts say. Companies that supply pumping equipment for municipal water facilities, pipes for new sewage lines, or play structures for new playgrounds could all suffer, they say. Meanwhile, both Canada the U.S. already have “buy national” provisions carved out of existing trade agreements. Military procurements, for example, exclude foreign suppliers. Donald Trump pursued his own Buy American policies but it's unclear how much further Biden can expand these provisions without facing a legal challenge, said trade expert Lawrence Herman. “The question will be whether the expansion of the Buy American provision is permissible within the scope of the (World Trade Organization) agreement," said Herman, international trade lawyer at Herman and Associates. Yet the impact of the Buy American agenda on Canadian businesses could be widespread, he said. “There are a lot of Canadian companies that supply products to American municipalities,” Herman said. “They could all be affected.” Colin Robertson, one of the negotiators of the original Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement and North American Free Trade Agreement, said Canada should come to the table with solutions. “If Biden goes through with this, you're going to hear from Canadian companies that feel they're being excluded from U.S. projects,” said Robertson, vice-president and fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. “You're almost better to deal with it on a one-by-one basis,” said the former Canadian diplomat. “If the guy who builds playsets in Ontario can't bid on a new playground, what you want to do is try and get the province and state to work something out.” If Biden's massive stimulus package is approved, the demand for construction materials – especially steel and aluminum – could be huge, Robertson said. But if the Buy American plan is ramped up and starts to affect materials from Canada, he said negotiators need to point out that ultimately they'll get better value including materials produced in Canada. “If you want maximum value for these dollars, it's better to open up bidding,” Robertson said. “The challenge with these sorts of Buy American programs is you can get cartels forming within your locality that drive up prices.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 20, 2021. Brett Bundale, The Canadian Press https://www.orilliamatters.com/national-business/buy-america-how-bidens-made-in-america-plan-could-impact-canadian-companies-3277010

Government can put focus on opportunities in new presidential agenda rather than on old irritants Colin Robertson · for CBC News Opinion · Posted: Jan 19, 2021 4:00 AM ET | Last Updated: January 19 This column is an opinion by Colin Robertson, a former Canadian diplomat and now vice-president and fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. For more information about CBC's Opinion section, please see the FAQ. Joe Biden's return to the White House, this time as president, gives Canada a chance to reset what has been a tempestuous ride with Donald Trump. Biden has set himself a formidable to-do list: the pandemic; economic recovery; climate; racial justice; restoring democracy. For Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's first meeting with Biden after his inauguration, the government needs to look closely at that agenda. Rather than focusing on the perennial irritants, it should identify where Canada can offer help and solutions, because we share many of these challenges. Biden's immediate priority is vaccinating Americans so the country can recover socially and economically from COVID-19, and Trudeau has the same focus. The multilateral response to the pandemic could have been much more effective and would have benefited all if our two nations had collaborated from the outset. But it's not too late to start. Some of our best practices will also have application in hard-pressed developing nations, and what better demonstration that "America is back" and "ready to lead the world," as Biden put it, than to work closer with Canada and share what we have jointly learned about dealing with this virus. On climate, if Biden rejoins the Paris Agreement as promised, Canada and the U.S. will be back in sync in terms of emission-reduction targets. Together, we need to look to November's Glasgow conference and what we want to accomplish there, as it will be both a stock-taking of Paris commitments and a setting of new goals. With this in mind, Trudeau should offer to lead a North American approach to carbon pricing, including instituting a border tax on imports from those nations that don't meet their climate commitments. Closer collaboration would also involve identifying best practices and areas for shared research, including initiatives at the state and provincial level. If Mexico were asked to join in, it would go a long way to reviving North American collaboration in other areas as well, like immigration and addressing some of the troubles involving Mexico's Central American neighbours. On the issue of mutual defence, unlike Trump, Biden has indicated he believes in collective security and that he embraces NATO. Meanwhile, our binational NORAD agreement needs renewal, and an Arctic strategy is the missing piece in Canada's defence policy. American presidents from Ronald Reagan on have told us that if Canada claims sovereignty over the North, then we must exercise it. If we dither, the U.S. will set the parameters for us. To avoid this, we need to quickly take the lead in proposing a joint strategy. Reinvesting in our Arctic would also spark a northern economic renaissance, as well as secure the critical minerals vital to advanced manufacturing. Joining Biden's proposed club of democracies also makes sense, especially if it focuses on human rights, development goals, setting digital standards, and strengthening nascent democracies. Likewise, standing up to the authoritarians, especially China, is overdue. China's a la carte approach to multilateralism means scooping up the benefits of globalization while ignoring the rules and conventions of global institutions. As a result, China will likely dominate the Biden administration's foreign and security policy deliberations. As part of those deliberations, Canada needs President Biden to promise that any deal lifting the U.S. extradition request for Meng Wanzhou will include freeing the two Michaels – Canadians Kovrig and Spavor, detained in China since December 2018. With Canada having about 300,000 expatriates at risk in Hong Kong, we should also offer to co-lead, with Britain, a G7 approach to sustaining the liberties that China guaranteed to Hong Kong. And we must carefully strategize confrontations involving the U.S. itself. In his first conversation with the president-elect on Nov. 9 after the U.S. election, Prime Minister Trudeau pressed him on the Keystone XL pipeline that Biden has repeatedly pledged to rescind. The arguments supporting Keystone XL are unchanged: as one of 70 pipelines that crisscross our border, it safely supplements American energy independence with a secure and reliable supply of oil. And innovations by oilsands producers have significantly reduced the industry's environmental footprint. Biden already knows all this. But could he really be expected to go back on his promise to environmentalists, a key constituency in his fragile Democratic government? Leading with your chin is a bad idea, and Canada needs to be pragmatic. Indeed, reports Sunday indicated that Biden plans to rescind permission for the pipeline in his first day in office. If that turns out to be the case, Keystone XL is an important issue that requires ongoing attention through different levels of government, but we also need to be realistic in our expectations. The Harper government made Keystone XL the litmus test of its relationship with the Obama administration and it was a mistake, frustrating progress on other issues. Meanwhile, a pipeline we should be vigorously defending is the 65-year-old Line 5 that Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer wants closed. This pipeline supplies about 45 per cent of the crude oil used by Ontario and Quebec. Let's also be realistic about Buy American, which is integral to Biden's trillion-dollar Made in America and Build Back Better initiatives. It's equally unlikely that he'll back away from these plans, but we should remember how Canada finessed former president Barack Obama's big build economic recovery initiative. With state-level procurement outside of the NAFTA deal, then-prime minister Stephen Harper turned to the Council of the Federation. Led by premiers Brad Wall and Jean Charest, they negotiated a reciprocity agreement with their governor counterparts that gave Canadians a piece of the pie. Keystone XL and Buy America remind us that our close, deep and profitable U.S. trade relationship requires a calibrated approach involving different levels of government. Several of the provinces have representation in Washington. Quebec has long had offices throughout the U.S., for example, and provincial efforts complement those of our Embassy and consulates; indeed on issues like Keystone they effectively lead. The Canadian tendency to push it all to the top-level leaders is self-defeating. When presidents meet with prime ministers, they expect top-table discussions befitting G7 and G20 leaders. Effective relations with the new Biden administration will mean dealing with problems at the appropriate level – including cabinet officers, premiers and governors, and our ambassadors. This obliges us to invest in our diplomatic service so that we can bring their intelligence-gathering to the negotiating table. The new U.S. administration wants to reset relationships with its friends and allies. By seizing this opportunity and being creative in identifying solutions to our shared interests, as well as leveraging opportunities through multiple levels of government, we ultimately advance Canadian interests. A welcome mat at the White House magnifies Canada's influence with the rest of the world. https://www.cbc.ca/news/opinion/opinion-biden-trudeau-relations-1.5873231

AIR FORCE Northrop Grumman, San Diego, California, has been awarded a $3,600,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) operations, sustainment and support. This contract provides for research, development, test, and evaluation, integration and operations and sustainment for existing and future payloads contained in or connected to the BACN system and associated ground stations or controls, ancillary equipment, support equipment and system integration laboratories. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, and overseas locations, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 24, 2026. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $23,673,035 are being obligated with the initial task order, FA8726-21-F-0023, at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (FA8726-21-D-0001). DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY Jones Lang LaSalle Americas Inc., Chicago, Illinois, was awarded a $45,000,000 firm-fixed-price blanket purchase agreement (HHM402-21-A-0002) to provide the Defense Intelligence Agency with furniture products and services. Work will be performed in the National Capital Region, with an expected completion date of Jan. 18, 2026. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $616,166 are being obligated at time of award. The Virginia Contracting Activity, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. NAVY Black Construction/Mace International JV,* Harmon Industrial Park, Harmon, Guam, is awarded a $28,877,806 firm-fixed-price task order (N40084-21-F-4134) under previously-awarded design-build/design-bid-build, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity unrestricted multiple-award construction contract N40084-18-D-0066 to perform various repairs to deep-draft wharf infrastructure at Naval Support Facility (NSF), Diego Garcia. Work to be performed includes demolition of seven wharf fender standoff panels (FSOPs) and replacement of 24 FSOPs, including pile supports; replacement of broken/missing timber fender piles at the north end of the wharf; replacement of steel ladders; repair of concrete deck and sub-structure, including concrete slab replacement, crack sealing and paint striping; repair of cathodic protection, mooring hardware and pedestal/foundation cracks; repair of high mast lighting; providing additional lighting to meet current design criteria; and demolition and replacement of above-ground ductile iron water lines along the wharf edge where it interferes with FSOP work. Work will be performed at NSF Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory, and is expected to be completed by September 2023. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $28,877,806 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Two proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Far East, Diego Garcia, is the contracting activity. Conflict Kinetics Corp., Sterling, Virginia, is awarded a $28,164,522 single-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract that will include terms and conditions for the placement of firm-fixed-price task orders for the procurement of Tactical Ocular Reaction Area™ (TORA™) small arms simulator support services to include on-site hardware; software and contracted information technology system security; air compressors; replacement equipment; and software modifications/software warranty as needed for all TORA™ simulators in support of Naval Expeditionary Combat Command within the continental U.S. and outside the continental U.S. locations. The contract will include a five-year ordering period with no options. The ordering period is expected to begin January 2021 and be completed by January 2026. Work will be performed in Williamsburg, Virginia (15%); Virginia Beach, Virginia (15%); Gulfport, Mississippi (15%); San Diego, California (15%); Port Hueneme, California (15%); Newport, Rhode Island (7%); Jacksonville, Florida (7%); Seal Beach, California (7%); and Guam (4%). Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,000 will be obligated to fund the contract's minimum amount and funds will expire at the end of the fiscal year. Individual task orders will be subsequently funded with appropriate fiscal year appropriations at the time of their issuance. One source was solicited for this non-competitive, sole-source requirement pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, with one offer received. The Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center, Norfolk, Contracting Department, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N00189-21-D-0005). San Juan-Black & Veatch International Ltd. JV,* Montrose, Colorado, is awarded a $23,145,586 task order (N40084-21-F-4131) under previously awarded, firm-fixed-price, design-build/design-bid-build, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, unrestricted multiple-award construction contract (N40084-18-D-0068) to provide long-term repairs to the north parking apron, Phase I, at Naval Support Facility (NSF), Diego Garcia. The work to be performed will provide long-term repairs to the north parking apron at NSF Diego Garcia, including demolishing existing concrete pavement and replacing with new 330 mm-thick portland cement concrete pavement complete with joints, dowels and sealants; removing cement-treated base and sub-base, replacing or reusing excavated material and re-grading/compacting to recommended design elevation; scarifying, re-grading and compacting existing subgrade; providing tie-down moorings and static grounding points; repairing/repaving parking apron cement-treated shoulders; and providing airfield markings. Work will be performed at NSF Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory, and is expected to be completed by May 2022. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $23,145,586 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Two proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Far East, Diego Garcia, is the contracting activity. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Kampi Components Inc.,* Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania, has been awarded a maximum $26,650,143 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for valves and valve accessories. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302.1. This is a three-year base contract with one one-year option period that is being awarded with the base. Locations of performance are Pennsylvania and California, with a Jan. 18, 2025, performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 through 2025 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio (SPE7MX-21-D-0044). Woodward HRT Inc., Santa Clarita, California, has been awarded a maximum $9,662,562 firm-fixed-price contract for F-15 rotary vane assemblies. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a one-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is California, with an Apr. 1, 2025 ordering period end date. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma (SPRTA1-20-C-0006). ARMY Goodwill Industries of San Antonio Contract Services, San Antonio, Texas, was awarded a $17,454,530 modification (P00012) to contract W81K04-18-C-0002 to provide support to the Army, Air Force and Air National Guard, medical record processing and storage services. Work will be performed in San Antonio, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 25, 2022. Fiscal 2021 and 2022 Defense Health Program funds in the amount of $17,454,530 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Health Contracting Activity, San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity. Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., Tullahoma, Tennessee, was awarded a $9,238,191 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to support field, chamber, laboratory and range developmental and operational testing at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, and other locations. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 28, 2025. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $48,193 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army 418th Contracting Support Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas, is the contracting activity (W91151-21-C-0006). *Small business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2479160/source/GovDelivery/

1/20/2021 By Mandy Mayfield The Navy recently awarded BAE systems a $4 million contract for a “quick turnaround” demonstration of a new radio frequency countermeasures system for the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, the company announced in January. “Its primary mission is twofold. First, it's to prevent an enemy radar from locking” onto U.S. aircraft, said Don Davidson, director of the advanced compact electronic warfare solutions product line at BAE Systems. However, “if they do get a radar lock and fire a missile, its ultimate purpose is to seduce the missile away from the platform.” The system will be pod-mounted and include a small form factor jammer, a high-powered amplifier and BAE's AN/ALE-55 fiber-optic towed decoy. The decoy has been used on board other Navy aircraft such as the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. “Right now on the P-8A, they don't have any of the equipment required to support a self-protection system,” Davidson said in an interview. “We had to put all that equipment within a pod that can be mounted on the aircraft without requiring anything on the aircraft itself.” The company will design, build and integrate the systems at its Nashua, New Hampshire, facility. Following the integration, they will be tested for two months in early 2021 on the P-8A. “This need for speed is even more prevalent today than it has been in years past,” Davidson said. The Navy issued a white paper identifying concerns about emerging threats with regard to surface-to-air missiles and asked for a self-protection capability to be delivered quickly, he noted. “Since we do this for a living, we had a lot of products and capabilities that we had developed for other applications that we were able to leverage,” he said. “We could take these existing capabilities, integrate them together — they're small enough to fit in this pod — and we could bring this capability to bear in what has essentially been five months.” The completed pod was slated to be delivered at the end of January, he said. https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2021/1/20/navy-awards-contract-for-p-8a-poseidon-protection

Le Club défense du Centre d'étude et de prospective stratégique (CEPS) a accueilli le député Olivier Marleix, membre du groupe d'études industrie de la défense, pour qu'il intervienne sur les sujets touchant à la souveraineté industrielle et au renforcement de la BITD. L'élu a notamment proposé la création d'un fonds souverain destiné à soutenir les entreprises françaises des secteurs stratégiques. « Le fonds souverain France Investissement bénéficierait de trois types de ressources : d'une part, les participations de l'Etat dans les entreprises actuellement gérées par l'Agence des participations de l'Etat, ainsi que certains actifs gérés par la Banque populaire d'investissement, des émissions obligataires et des actifs collectés à travers des filiales, a-t-il expliqué. A terme, l'objectif est qu'un tel fonds puisse gérer de l'ordre de 300 milliards d'euros. Pour des raisons de souveraineté, il est proposé que le fonds souverain prenne la forme d'un établissement public ». Air & Cosmos du 22 janvier 2021

Publié le 20 Janvier 2021 Copyright © 2021 CercleFinance - (CercleFinance.com) - Thales annonce qu'il va fournir son nouveau radar NS50 pour équiper douze navires de guerre des mines de nouvelle génération des Marines belge et néerlandaise, dans le cadre d'un contrat avec Kership, co-entreprise de Piriou et Naval Group. 'Le radar NS50 permettra à cette catégorie de navires de bénéficier, pour la première fois, de capacités complètes d'auto-défense contre tous types de menaces aériennes et de surface', souligne le groupe français d'électronique de défense.Il offre un temps sur cible maximal, 'permettant d'évaluer l'ampleur de la menace et de mettre en oeuvre les contremesures nécessaires, en offrant un tableau précis de la situation environnante afin de sauvegarder le navire et de protéger les forces alliées'. Copyright (c) 2021 CercleFinance.com. Tous droits réservés. https://www.easybourse.com/aeronautique/news/1393671/thales-radars-ns50-pour-flottes-belge-neerlandaise.html

AIR FORCE The Boeing Co., Seattle, Washington, has been awarded a $2,124,531,149 modification (P00232) to contract FA8625-11-C-6600 for Lot 7 production KC-46 aircraft, subscriptions and licenses and G081 flat file. The modification provides for the exercise of an option for an additional quantity of 15 KC-46 aircraft, data, subscriptions and licenses, and G081 flat file being produced under the basic contract. Work will be performed in Seattle, Washington, and is expected to be completed May 31, 2024. Fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. CORRECTION: The contract announced on Jan. 15, 2021, for Mile Two LLC, Dayton, Ohio, for $14,788,874, was listed with an incorrect contract number. The correct contract number is FA8650-21-C-6271. NAVY Detyens Shipyard Inc., Charleston, South Carolina, is awarded a $19,150,225 firm-fixed-price contract for a 76-calendar day shipyard availability. The work to be performed under this contract provides regular overhaul availability and dry-docking services for the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Laramie (T-AO 203). The contract also contains six unexercised options, which if exercised, would increase cumulative contract value to $19,841,567. Work will be performed in Charleston, South Carolina, and is expected to be completed by June 4, 2021. Fiscal 2021 working capital contract funds (Navy) in the amount of $19,150,225 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the beta.SAM.gov website, with two proposals received. The Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N32205-21-C-4001). *Small business https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2477500/source/GovDelivery/

Tout en confirmant l'ouverture d'un débat avec les parlementaires pour revoir à mi-parcours la loi de programmation militaire, le président a promis lors de ses voeux aux armées à maintenir l'effort budgétaire en faveur de la modernisation des armées. Par Anne Bauer Publié le 19 janv. 2021 à 19:31 « Les engagements que j'ai pris seront tenus », a déclaré Emmanuel Macron lors de ses voeux aux armées à la Préfecture Maritime de l'Atlantique à Brest, après avoir discuté avec des élèves du Centre d'Instruction Naval. Et de rappeler que depuis trois ans, la loi de programmation militaire (LPM) a été tenue « à l'euro près ». « Les équipements sont livrés, les hébergements sont construits, les programmes avancent, les innovations sont stimulées, nos capacités se modernisent [...], a-t-il souligné en estimant que malgré la pandémie et la période difficile qui s'annonce, il faut maintenir l'effort jusqu'en 2023 comme prévu par la LPM. Point d'étapes pour la LPM « Un point d'étape approfondi devra être effectué dans les prochains mois avec les parlementaires, pour que nos armées restent pleinement efficaces sur les thé'tres d'opérations, quels qu'ils soient », a-t-il aussi confirmé. De fait, lors du vote de la LPM , les parlementaires avaient fixé à 2021 une discussion sur la nécessité ou non de revoir la trajectoire budgétaire annoncée. Après trois ans de hausse budgétaire, ce qui a porté le budget défense de 35,8 milliards d'euros en 2019 à 39,2 milliards cette année, la LPM (qui couvre la période 2019-2025) suggère une nouvelle hausse à 41 milliards en 2022 et à 44 milliards en 2023, soit un effort de 198 milliards d'euros sur la période 2019-2023. Reste à réévaluer les capacités nécessaires, les réussites et les attentes, le président évoquant l'exigence toujours réaffirmée d'agilité et d'efficacité. Dans ses voeux, Emmanuel Macron a aussi répété son souhait de consolider la nouvelle politique en faveur de l'autonomie stratégique européenne. « Notre engagement au sein de l'Otan n'empêche pas une autonomie européenne. Nous avons besoin d'une Europe forte plus unie, plus conquérante et qui assume les choix faits depuis trois ans. Il faudra continuer avec les Etats-Unis qui se réengagent dans le multilatéralisme et il nous faudra convaincre de la pertinence de nos choix dans la durée ». Ajustement de l'opération Barkhane au Sahel A propos de l'opération Barkhane au Sahel , qui mobilise actuellement quelque 5.100 soldats français, le président n'a parlé ni de retrait, ni de renforcement, mais simplement d'un ajustement. « Les résultats obtenus par nos forces au Sahel, conjugués à l'intervention plus importante de nos partenaires européens, vont nous permettre d'ajuster notre effort militaire dans la région », a déclaré le chef de l'Etat, sans précision de volume ou de calendrier. Il y a un an, au sommet de Pau, le président français et ses homologues du G5 Sahel (Mauritanie, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Tchad) avaient décidé d'intensifier la lutte antidjihadiste pour enrayer une spirale de violences, notamment avec l'envoi de 600 hommes en renfort. « Les renforts temporaires que j'ai décidé de déployer ont permis à la force Barkhane de mettre en grande difficulté des groupes terroristes qui se retrouvent acculés, réduits à des procédés l'ches, qui ont atteint nos forces », endeuillées par la récente mort de 5 soldats français au Mali, « mais qui, je le rappelle, frappent d'abord et surtout les civils, sans discrimination », a commenté le président français. Garder le sens du temps long Nombre d'observateurs estiment que la France devrait annoncer qu'elle réduit la voilure lors du prochain sommet avec les pays du G5 Sahel, en février à N'Djamena. Pour le moment, le président parle d'un « cap qui reste inchangé ». Alors que l'opération Barkhane entre dans sa neuvième année et a coûté la vie à 50 militaires, le président a terminé son discours en rappelant la nécessité du temps long, avant de remercier les femmes et les hommes engagés. « La tendance est grande de ne s'occuper que du quotidien. La force de nos armées, c'est de savoir embrasser le temps long... Ne cédons pas au court terme et gardons la capacité à regarder le grand large, gardons le sens du temps long ». https://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/air-defense/le-president-macron-promet-de-maintenir-leffort-budgetaire-pour-les-armees-1282520

January 18, 2021 - The navies of Belgium and the Netherlands rely on Thales, Naval Group and KERSHIP shipyard to equip the 12 next generation Mine Counter Measures Vessels with NS50 radars for Air & Surface Surveillance with Fire Control capabilities. Through this contract for its new NS50 radar, Thales is proud to serve both the navies of Belgium and the Netherlands through the next generation MCMV contract with Kership - a joint venture between Naval Group and Piriou. The NS50 radar introduces a complete and high level of self-protection capability against air and surface threats for high value ships. The NS50 radar is a game changer: it is the world's first compact multi-mission 4D AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar available in the market for smaller vessels offering both Air and Surface surveillance with missile and Gun Fire control. The NS50 provides for the first time a complete and superior level of self-protection capability against air and surface threats for this category of high value MCM vessels. A strategic choice for small to medium vessels, the NS50 offers dual functions between air and surface surveillance and fire control. The nature of threats faced by Navies has never been more varied nor more challenging, ranging from next generation anti-ship missiles, robotic warfare and swarm attacks, to electronic warfare (jamming) as well as, overall, having to operate in a simultaneously conventional, asymmetric and hybrid threat environment. Time and quality of information are critical when facing this new array of unpredictable simultaneous threats. The NS50 provides maximum time on target for forces to evaluate the threat and take countermeasures while, at the same time, understanding what is around them to safeguard the ship and to protect their own allied forces. The NS50 is the world's most compact, affordable 4D multi-function naval radar in the market. It offers superior air and surface detection, tracking and classification performances providing highly accurate 4D target information required for rapid acquisition by short-range “fire and forget” Surface-to-Air-Missile Systems as well as fire control of ship-borne artillery against surface targets. It can defend against Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), low slow flying object, surface targets and in combination with small to medium caliber gun system. A fully software-defined sensor, the NS50 features a modular and scalable hardware architecture, making it equally suitable for combat boats, Offshore Patrol Vessels, MCMVs, auxiliaries and various other platforms. No other radar in this class up offers the NS50's flexibility and range of features, which are similar to those that do equip larger sized ships. Its full digital design implies that upgrades are possible at any moment and at any place and that, software modifications are simple for integrating new features. The NS50 meets today's cybersecurity requirements. The NS50 is part of the NS family of radars already operational within the Royal Netherlands Navy, providing enhanced situational awareness and contributing to regional stability in various parts of the world. “Navies are facing more complex, smaller, agile and faster moving simultaneous threats. The compact NS50 is a game changer – it brings the benefit of multi-mission air and surface surveillance, as well as fire control to combat boats, MCM vessels, OPA's and various other platforms. We are proud to work with Naval Group and Kership and supply an innovative radar to the Belgium and Netherland Navies for operational advantage”. Serge Adrian, Senior Vice-President Surface Radar activities, Thales. View source version on Thales Group: https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/group/journalist/press_release/ns50-radar-equip-belgium-navy-and-royal-netherlands-navy-next