Le Canada prend le commandement du 2e Groupe maritime permanent OTAN

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  6 juin 2019 | Local, Aérospatial

  L’appel d’offres pour le remplacement des CF-18 lancé bientôt

  NORMAND BOIVIN Au cours des prochaines semaines, un mois au maximum, le Canada devrait lancer le processus d'appel d'offres pour le remplacement de sa flotte de CF-18. Le major-général Alain Pelletier est en train de mettre la touche finale aux travaux qui l'ont tenu occupé au cours des deux dernières années pour le choix du prochain chasseur, tout en s'assurant de maintenir la capacité opérationnelle de la flotte actuelle. « Nous sommes toujours en discussions avec les quatre fournisseurs en lice », a expliqué au Quotidien, lors de son passage dans la région mardi, celui qui est devenu, en mai, le nouveau commandant de la 1re Division aérienne du Canada. Même si le F-35 est le seul avion furtif de cinquième génération, le major-général affirme que les offres seront analysées en fonction de la capacité du futur chasseur à répondre à la mission que va se donner le Canada et du nombre d'années de service qu'il sera en mesure de fournir – 35 à 40 ans –, plutôt que de génération. Dassault a retiré son Rafale de la course. Furtif, oui ou non ? Les F-18, comme les F-16 ou les F-15, sont des avions de quatrième génération et sont facilement détectables par les radars. Le F-35 et le F-22 sont les seuls avions de chasse de cinquième génération, c'est-à-dire qu'ils ont une faible signature radar, ce qui les rend pratiquement indétectables. Entre les deux, le Typhoon, fabriqué par Eurofighter, est un appareil qu'on dit de 4,5e génération. Il n'est pas complètement furtif, mais a des caractéristiques qui diminuent sa signature radar. On peut le détecter, mais son écho est plus petit et peut être confondu avec autre chose. Il y a aussi des changements sur le Super Hornet. Boeing fait des tests pour diminuer sa signature radar par des contre-mesures électroniques et certaines peintures qui, semble-t-il, absorbent les ondes radar au lieu de les réfléchir. « Avec l'évolution des technologies, ce genre de dénomination tient moins la route, car on parle maintenant de 4,6 et même 4,7e génération. Nous avons nos exigences et nous discutons avec nos quatre fournisseurs », affirme le major-général Pelletier. Le F-18 Super Hornet de Boeing, le Gripen du Suédois SAAB et le Typhoon européen sont donc encore dans la course avec le F-35 Lightning de Lockheed Martin. Une fois que le Canada aura déposé la version finale de ses exigences, le major-général Pelletier estime que les quatre avionneurs devraient soumettre leurs offres à la fin de 2021. S'ensuivra une période de négociations devant aboutir à la livraison des premiers appareils quelque part en 2025, pour la mise en service au début de 2026. Lorsque les 88 nouveaux chasseurs auront été livrés et que les CF-18 prendront leur retraite, ils auront presque 50 ans. D'ici là, ajoute Alain Pelletier, le Canada va tout mettre en œuvre pour s'assurer que nos vieux CF-18 continueront d'être en mesure de remplir leurs missions de protéger l'espace nord-américain et d'assurer la paix ailleurs dans le monde. Ainsi, les avions, qui avaient été achetés au début des années 80 pour servir jusqu'en 2010, ont déjà subi des modifications pour les mettre à niveau avec de nouveaux systèmes d'armement et pour augmenter leur vie utile d'abord jusqu'en 2017, puis en 2025. À cause de la décision du gouvernement fédéral d'annuler la commande initiale des F-35 pour retourner en appel d'offres, ils devraient donc bénéficier de nouveaux investissements pour prolonger leur vie jusqu'en 2032. https://www.lesoleil.com/actualite/le-fil-groupe-capitales-medias/lappel-doffres-pour-le-remplacement-des-cf-18-lance-bientot-15e1736dc05d467a2f07b9381c5dd023

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  14 mai 2018 | Local, Aérospatial

  Helicopter firm tries to revive cancelled Canadian deal with the Philippines

  David Pugliese Just months after a contract to sell military helicopters to the Philippines was cancelled, a Canadian firm is hoping it can revive the controversial deal. The Liberal government ordered a review of the original contract involving Bell Helicopter Canada after human rights concerns were raised in February about the aircraft being used on the front lines of the country's various conflicts. But that review angered Rodrigo Duterte, the president of the Philippines, who cancelled the $234-million deal for 16 Bell 412 helicopters to be built in Mirabel, Que. Bell says it is now back in discussions with the Philippines as a potential client for the same helicopters. Patrick Moulay, a Bell senior vice-president, told the aviation publication Flight Global that he can't get into specifics because the discussions are commercially sensitive. “We are still discussing to see how we can address the missions and operational needs of our customers,” he explained. “We are talking to them on a daily basis but you should wait for a few more weeks before we go into more details.” In February, when the original deal became public, human rights advocates expressed disbelief that Canada was selling the aircraft to the Philippines considering the country's poor human rights record and its controversial leader Duterte. The international criminal court has launched an initial inquiry into allegations of crimes against humanity committed by Duterte. The allegations relate to extrajudicial executions committed during the president's war on drugs, which has killed thousands. Duterte, who once boasted about throwing a man to his death from a helicopter, has also warned government officials they would face the same fate if he learned they were involved in corruption. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also raised concerns about extrajudicial killings while visiting the country in November, specifically those related to Duterte's violent crackdown on illegal drugs. The Canadian Commercial Corporation, a federal government agency, brokered the original February deal to supply the 16 Bell 412 helicopters to the Philippines. But the corporation noted in an email Monday that the organization is not supporting Bell's latest efforts in the Philippines. Bell Helicopter did not respond to a request for comment. Some arms control advocates are worried that Bell might do an end-run around Canadian regulations by shipping portions of the helicopters to its U.S. facilities for assembly and eventual sale to the Philippines. “Canada's arms control policies are so weak that there are various ways to get these helicopters to Duterte,” said Steve Staples, vice president of the Rideau Institute, an Ottawa think tank. “Shipping semi-completed aircraft from Mirabel into the U.S. could be one way.” The Liberal government said in February it was unaware the Bell helicopters were going to be used for military operations in the Philippines. It stated the original purpose of the aircraft was for search and rescue and disaster relief. The Liberals blamed the previous Conservative government for initiating the deal. But the Philippine government never hid its intention to use the Canadian-built helicopters in military operations, even going as far as displaying the first batch of those choppers armed with machine guns during an official ceremony in 2015 attended by Canada's ambassador. Philippines Brigadier-General Restituto Padilla, military chief of plans, also told journalists in Manila that the aircraft “will be used for the military's internal security operations.” The Philippine military is keen to boost its capabilities as it fights Communist insurgents and Islamic extremists. It says it would use the Canadian helicopters to transport and supply troops and ferry wounded soldiers out of danger. Other uses would be for disaster relief. Last summer, the Philippine air force used its older utility helicopters during intense fighting in the city of Marawi, a predominantly Muslim city. http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/helicopter-firm-tries-to-revive-cancelled-canadian-deal-with-the-philippines

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  13 mars 2020 | Local, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité

  Major defence conferences in Ottawa to proceed despite virus; other military events cancelled

  By DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN Two major defence conferences in Ottawa will still be held despite fears raised by the novel coronavirus, including an event expected to bring 12,000 Canadian Forces members, federal government officials and security personnel from around the world together in one location in May. But two other military social functions in Ottawa and one conference, scheduled in the coming weeks, have either been postponed or cancelled because of the virus. The military equipment trade show, CANSEC 2020, expected to attract around 12,000 visitors to the EY Centre in Ottawa, will still proceed, according to the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries, which organizes the event. Defence firms from around the world will display armaments and other products at the May 27-28 trade show. In the past, organizers have boasted CANSEC attracts thousands of Canadian government representatives and military personnel, as well as hundreds of VIPs, including generals, Canadian senators and cabinet ministers. In addition, delegations from around the world attend. The Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries, or CADSI, is also proceeding with the Canadian Armed Forces Outlook conference, April 7-9, in Ottawa which will feature the leadership of the army, navy and air force, along with other key military officers. But the coronavirus has taken its toll on other defence-related events. Canadian Army commander Lt. Gen. Wayne Eyre announced Wednesday he has decided to cancel the Army Ball, a military social event held each year in Gatineau. It was supposed to have taken place on April 4. Air force commander Lt.-Gen. Al Meinzinger announced he has postponed the inaugural Royal Canadian Air Force Ball, which was to have taken place in Ottawa on March 28. “I had to make this difficult decision in an effort to help reduce the risk of potential COVID-19 transmission within our veterans, personnel, families, and guests,” he wrote in a message. “This cautionary measure is being taken in the context of the evolving public health situation related to COVID-19.” The European Union delegation to Canada announced Tuesday its security and defence symposium planned for March 24 in Ottawa has been cancelled. “The rising number of COVID-19 infections globally and the hazards related to travelling have led to this decision,” it noted. “In order not to expose any panellists, guests or other collaborators to unnecessary risks, the EU DEL postpones the symposium until the conditions permit a safe and unhindered travel worldwide.” But CADSI president Christyn Cianfarani said there is an increased interest in both the Canadian Forces outlooks conference and CANSEC and at this point they are still scheduled to take place. “The health and safety of participants remains our top priority and we continue to monitor developments pertaining to coronavirus on a daily basis,” she said in a statement. “We are also following the guidelines put forward by the Government of Canada, Health Canada, and the World Health Organization to promote hygiene and prevent the spread of germs on-site.” She noted CADSI is following guidance from Ottawa Public Health. “Should anything regarding the event status change, we will share updates via email and social media,” she added. The coronavirus has already caused the cancellation or postponement of many conferences, sporting events and rock concerts. Norway on Wednesday cancelled a NATO Arctic exercise that was already underway with 15,000 troops from various nations. Norway's defence ministry also announced that the country's defence minister had cancelled all meetings and travel because he may have been exposed to the coronavirus. At the Pentagon, defence officials have begun what they are calling “social distancing” measures. On Monday, U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper's regular meeting with senior staff, normally held face-to-face in a single room with 40 to 50 participants, was broken up into three rooms with video-teleconferencing among the rooms, according to the Pentagon's chief spokesman, Jonathan Hoffman. He said Esper and the 15 to 20 people in his room, including Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sat at least six feet apart, in line with health guidance. Canada's Department of National Defence, however, is not following the Pentagon's lead. Department spokeswoman Jessica Lamirande said the Canadian Forces and DND is still participating in CANSEC and the outlook conference being held by CADSI. “There is also no new direction on limiting in-person, work-related interactions,” she added. “However, CAF members and DND employees have been reminded not to attend work when they are sick, to exercise caution when in large crowds, and to seek immediate medical attention for flu-like symptoms.” “We continue to monitor and evaluate the situation,” Lamirande said. “As the issue evolves, guidance will continue to be evaluated and adjusted.” With files from The Associated Press https://ottawacitizen.com/news/national/defence-watch/major-defence-conferences-in-ottawa-to-proceed-despite-virus-other-military-events-cancelled