8 janvier 2019 | Local, Aérospatial

Canada can afford new fighters or new frigates — but not both at once: report

Murray Brewster · CBC News

U of Calgary paper says Ottawa may have to abandon the idea of a multi-purpose military

The Trudeau government can't afford to buy ultra-modern warships and advanced warplanes at the same time, given the limits of federal finances, a new research paper argues.

The study, written for the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy, says that — contrary to the assurances offered in the government's defence policy — Ottawa will soon be forced into a series of tough, far-reaching choices about the structure and capabilities of the Canadian military.

Using the government's own figures, researcher Alex McColl concluded that the Liberals either will have to pour more money into their defence budget in the mid-2020s or scale back their ambitions by buying a less expensive fighter jet.

The reason, according to McColl, is that the bills for both new frigates and new fighters will come due at the same time.

Absent the political will (to spend more), the Canadian Forces can no longer afford to be a modern, multipurpose force ...- University of Calgary researcher Alex McColl

"Not only will the CF-18 replacement program have to fight for funding against the general austerity and easy riding nature of Canadians, but it will also be running concurrently with the largest military procurement in Canadian history: the National Shipbuilding Strategy," he wrote.

During the 2015 election campaign, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged Canada would not buy the F-35 stealth jet — that it would go with something cheaper and pour the savings into rebuilding the navy.

The way the defence policy figures roll out, McColl wrote, suggests the government is on track to do just that.

"Absent the political will to provide considerably more than 1.15 per cent of GDP in defence spending," he wrote, "the Canadian Forces can no longer afford to be a modern multipurpose force and should instead move to a Navy centric force structure."

The Liberal defence policy, released just over 18 months ago, forecasts that by 2025, annual defence spending will rise to $32.7 billion, or about 1.4 per cent of GDP.

However, the projections in the defence policy do not go past the fiscal year 2024-25 — something the Parliamentary Budget Office flagged in a report in November 2017.

That PBO report also raised concerns about whether the Liberals would even meet their procurement targets and predicted the numbers would fall off a cliff before the 20-year defence spending policy reaches its halfway mark.

"Measured as a share of the economy, the new spending plan will raise the defence budget by over 17 per cent to about 1.1 percentage points of GDP by 2024," the PBO analysis said. "Following this, spending will decline by 38 per cent to 0.69 percentage points of GDP by 2035."

McColl said Canada may be left with no choice but to buy a cheaper fighter.

"The best value solution to the CF-18 replacement is the least expensive jet in the competition: the Saab Gripen," he wrote in his report.

In an interview CBC News, McColl said he chose the Gripen because it is "the dramatically least expensive option," although the Super Hornet is also a cheaper alternative.

"I wouldn't say we would be forced (to buy them)," he said. "What I would say is that buying an inexpensive fighter that meets the minimum requirements of what we use the CF-18 for today would be the optimal policy."

National Defence announced last week it had concluded a deal with Australia to buy 18 used F-18 fighters to bolster the current CF-18 fleet until a brand-new replacement is selected.

That competition to replace the CF-18s with new aircraft is slated to kick off this spring, when the federal government puts a tender on the street. A contract award is not expected until 2022.

The first new fighters won't arrive until 2025 — and it will be another year after that before they are operational.

Dave Perry, a procurement expert at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, said that new accounting rules — which allow National Defence to spread the cost of weapons system over their lifetime, instead of accounting for them all at once — give the Liberal government a bit of flexibility.

But he also pointed out that, by trying to rebuild the navy and the air force at the same time, the Liberals are trying to do something rarely accomplished outside of a wartime setting.

"Between new fighters and surface combatants [frigates], those are by far the two biggest projects that have gotten underway in this country in a long time, and doing them at the same time is not something we've done in peacetime before," said Perry. "Previously, we've done these things in sequential order."

The question of whether the federal government is organizationally and fiscally prepared to start paying big defence bills is open to debate, he added.

Almost four years ago, Perry co-wrote a seminal report that noted the number of staff dedicated to defence procurement at National Defence had never recovered from the budget cuts of the mid-1990s — dropping to 4,300 positions from 9,000.

In the time since his report was released, Perry said, there's been progress at the Department of National Defence in hiring procurement specialists and getting systems in place, but he's not certain the rest of the federal government is prepared.

"I think the biggest shortcoming is whether the Government of Canada writ large has the capacity, across government, not just in defence, to manage files this size with that level of complexity," he said.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-can-afford-new-fighters-or-new-frigates-but-not-both-at-once-report-1.4969031

Sur le même sujet

31 octobre 2017 | Local, Naval

TOUS LES VOYANTS SONT AU VERT : RÉGLÉ AU QUART DE TOUR, LE NAVIRE DE SOUTIEN MILITAIRE DE LA CLASSE RESOLVE EST LANCÉ
Ville de Québec, lundi le 16 octobre 2017 – Chantier Davie Canada inc. a annoncé aujourd'hui que la fin de semaine dernière, l'entreprise a procédé au lancement du plus grand navire militaire jamais livré par un chantier naval canadien, et ce, en respectant les délais et le budget, à un coût concurrentiel à l'échelle internationale. La mise en service de tous les systèmes à bord a commencé au début du mois de septembre. Le 16 novembre 2017, le navire sera soumis aux essais en mer en vue d'atteindre la capacité opérationnelle totale (FOC). Lors des essais en mer supervisés par Lloyd's Register, des éléments tels que la sécurité, la qualité, les systèmes ainsi que la fonctionnalité du navire seront testés afin de s'assurer qu'ils satisfont aux spécifications et aux normes militaires élevées selon lesquelles le navire a été construit. La qualité de la construction et la conception moderne de ce navire, muni des systèmes navals canadiens les plus récents, témoignent non seulement de l'expérience, de l'infrastructure et de l'expertise hors pair de Davie, mais également de l'incroyable contribution de centaines de fournisseurs canadiens. Plus de 900 entreprises canadiennes ont participé à la construction du navire, notamment en fournissant des équipements militaires spécifiques essentiels comme le système tactique et de navigation intégré (INTS), le système de ravitaillement en mer (REM) conforme aux normes de l'OTAN, ainsi que le système naval de contrôle intégré de plateforme. Alex Vicefield, Président de Chantier Davie Canada inc., a affirmé : « La livraison de ce navire montre clairement qu'il existe un chantier naval canadien ayant la capacité de fournir des plateformes navales complexes en respectant les délais et le budget, et ce, à un coût concurrentiel à l'échelle internationale. Sachant que la Marine royale canadienne avait besoin de ce navire de façon urgente, nos 1 400 employés ont travaillé jour et nuit pour qu'il soit livré non seulement dans les temps, mais aussi en répondant aux exigences de qualité lui permettant de servir le Canada fièrement pendant des décennies. Le succès de cette conception multifonctionnelle, rendant le navire apte autant à des opérations de combat qu'à des opérations humanitaires, a suscité l'intérêt des marines du monde entier. » Spencer Fraser, Chef de la direction de Federal Fleet Services, a ajouté : « Les membres de notre équipage canadien sont tous à bord, prêts à débuter les opérations aux côtés des marins de la Marine royale canadienne. Nous nous préparons pour ce moment depuis deux ans et, très prochainement, nous serons prêts à soutenir les Forces canadiennes lors de tout thé'tre d'opérations, partout dans le monde et à pied levé. » http://www.davie.ca/fr/news/tous-les-voyants-sont-au-vert-regle-au-quart-de-tour-le-navire-de-soutien-militaire-de-la-classe-resolve-est-lance/
9 janvier 2019 | Local, Naval, Sécurité

Trade tribunal calls for review of west coast vessel contract
DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN The Canadian International Trade Tribunal is recommending a review of key performance requirements used in the procurement of two emergency towing vessels for the west coast. Heiltsuk Horizon, a partnership of majority partner Heiltsuk Nation of Bella Bella, British Columbia and Horizon Maritime Services Limited, a Canadian marine services company, complained to the CITT in August that the winning supplier did not meet important safety requirements of the tender process. The CITT has recommended Public Services and Procurement Canada re-evaluate some of its mandatory requirements and that no further expenditure under the contact be undertaken. However, the tribunal also recommended that the contract remain with the winning bidder, Atlantic Services Limited/Atlantic Towing, until the evaluation can be completed. In August, the federal government announced the firm had been awarded a three-year contract worth $67 million for the lease of two emergency offshore towing vessels that would operate in the waters off the coast of British Columbia. The vessels were to be capable of towing large commercial ships in distress, such as tankers and container ships, before they get too close to shore, according to the federal government. As part of the contract, the firm, which is an Irving company, would also provide training in offshore emergency towing to Canadian Coast Guard personnel and partners, including Indigenous communities, involved in marine safety. But Heiltsuk Horizon challenged that award, pointing out that the contract was awarded without the required proof the vessels met the mandated towing power. The firm welcomed the CITT ruling. “From day one, we stated the procurement process was flawed,” Chief Councillor Marilyn Slett, Heiltsuk Nation, Bella Bella, BC, said in a statement Tuesday. In a letter to Heiltsuk Horizon, the CITT recommends Public Services and Procurement Canada reevaluate the “bollard pull” (towing power) of the vessels in all bids received. The CITT also awarded Heiltsuk Horizon costs incurred in submitting the complaint. In a statement late Tuesday, Public Services and Procurement Canada noted it is currently reviewing the CITT's reasons and recommendations in order to determine its next steps. “The contract with Atlantic Towing remains in place,” it added. “Given the importance of the services provided by the Emergency Offshore Towing Vessels in the context of Canada's Oceans Protection Plan, these services will continue. It is important to note that one of the two vessels has already been used in an emergency situation.” Mary Keith, vice president of communications for Irving, issued a statement from Atlantic Towing, pointing out that the tribunal did not declare the firm's bid non-compliant. “This is good news and reaffirms the integrity of the rigorous and transparent award process by PWGSC that also involved a third party fairness monitor,” the statement added. “The Tribunal has requested verification of one item and we are confident in our full compliance. The Bollard Pull on our vessels are verified and certified by one of the world's leading marine certification companies.” https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/trade-tribunal-calls-for-review-of-west-coast-vessel-contract
9 novembre 2020 | Local, Terrestre

SOUCY DEFENSE DIVISION AWARDED $7.5M CONTRACT TO INTEGRATE COMPOSITE RUBBER TRACK TO THE NORWEGIAN ARMOURED COMBAT SUPPORT VEHICLE
November 9, 2020 Soucy International Inc., Defense Division, has been awarded the $7.5M contract to manufacture and deliver composite rubber track (CRT) systems for the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency's (NDMA) Armoured Combat Support Vehicle (ACSV). In May 2018, as part of the Norwegian Armed Forces logistic and support vehicle recapitalization program, Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG) won the tender to manufacture and supply ACSV's to the Norwegian Army. FFG proposed to base the ACSV around their current PMMC G5 vehicle. The ACSV is a 26mT tracked platform with the capacity to transport freight goods containers weighing up to 6mT. It has container mounts to accommodate both 6.5- and 10-feet freight containers and in conjunction with the increased durability and low maintenance attributes of composite rubber tracks (CRT) can enhance the military's battlefield logistical reach. The reduced vibrations enabled by the integration of CRT also aids in the protection of sensors and electronics located on other military equipment such as radars which may also be mounted on the ACSV's stable framed platform. Due to the ACSVs open and closed hull configurations, it can be adapted in the closed configuration to house a command centre or ambulance (casualty evacuation). The ACSV can be adapted to a wide range of operations including domestic disaster relief and international peace support missions. About Composite Rubber Tracks Increased durability over conventional steel tracks. Reduced vibration (up to 70%), noise (up to 13dB), thermal signature, braking distance, vehicle weight (up to 50%) and fuel consumption (up to 30%). Reduced vehicle crew fatigue. Significant reduction in life cycle costs and virtually maintenance free. Elimination of damage to infrastructure. About Soucy Soucy has been established for 50 years and specializes in the design, development and manufacturing of composite rubber tracks. Soucy supply a variety of components and parts for major manufacturers of Powersports, industrial, agricultural and defense vehicles around the world. Since entering the defense market 26 years ago, the demand for Soucy's products has grown, and now being utilised in 12 counties worldwide. Soucy's expertise and knowledge of rubber track applications lie in compounding and track construction. The key elements in exceeding the specifications of traditional steel tracks and meeting customer requirements are the relationship between the gross vehicle weight (GVW) and rubber heat generation, this balance is critical in the design of composite rubber tracks. For more information: www.soucy-defense.com https://blog.soucy-group.com/soucy-defense-division-awarded-contract-composite-rubber-track

Toutes les nouvelles