22 novembre 2019 | Local, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre, C4ISR, Sécurité
DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN
Rookie MP Anita Anand was named to one of the federal government's toughest portfolios on Wednesday as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rearranged his cabinet.
Anand, a lawyer, takes over as Minister of Public Services and Procurement, replacing Carla Qualtrough, who became Minister of Employment and Workforce Development.
Anand was elected in the October federal election to represent the riding of Oakville.
She was a law professor at the University of Toronto specializing in corporate governance and shareholder rights.
Anand will have a busy portfolio dealing with the ongoing Phoenix pay fiasco as well as high profile defence procurements such as the acquisition of a new fighter jet fleet as well as the Canadian Surface Combatant program. The fighter jet project is estimated to cost taxpayers up to $19 billion and bids are expected by the end of March. The surface combatant project is estimated to cost between $60 billion and $65 billion.
Her background in corporate governance could come in handy as she tries to navigate these two key programs.
Other major defence projects that Anand will have to deal with include shipbuilding programs like the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships and the Joint Support Ships, both for the Royal Canadian Navy, as well as new icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard.
Anand will also have to be briefed on the way ahead for the selection of a third shipyard to contribute vessels to the national shipbuilding strategy. Davie Shipbuilding in Levis, Que. is seen as a frontrunner in that competition but an Ontario shipyard is also interested.
The Liberals also promised to create a defence procurement agency as part of efforts to improve the purchasing of military equipment so it is expected that Anand will play a key role in the creation of that new organization.
The Liberals, however, had said very little about the procurement agency since mentioning it during the election campaign and details about how it would be set up haven't been provided.
Other faces in the cabinet announced Wednesday will be familiar to those involved in defence and veterans affairs.
Harjit Sajjan remains as Minister of National Defence. Sajjan, who was first appointed defence minister in the fall of 2015, has earned mixed reviews for his performance. But he provides Trudeau with an experienced minister who won't have to be brought up to speed on the defence portfolio.
Navdeep Singh Bains continues on as Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Lawrence MacAulay returns as the Veterans Affairs Minister.
Nova Scotia MP Bernadette Jordan, who was first elected in 2015, was named as Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. Although that is seen as a promotion for Jordan, she has experience in the portfolio as she has served as chair of the Commons' fisheries and oceans committee. The coast guard is expected to receive new vessels, including icebreakers.
5 mai 2024 | Local, Terrestre
Just over a month into the new fiscal year and two weeks after the federal budget, the Department of National Defence is struggling to reconcile the Liberal government's approach to military funding — giving with one hand while taking with the other.
1 février 2022 | Local, Aérospatial, Sécurité
Sandbox CUAS Detect, Defeat Challenge is Now Live! It's time to start looking to the skies! After hosting a Sandbox in 2019 on Countering Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS), IDEaS is inviting innovators to bring their ‘A' game and demonstrate how their solution can detect and/or defeat our team of drones. IDEaS is looking for next-level CUAS prototypes that can solve the Sandbox challenge and be integrated into the broader military command and control system. Innovators invited to participate will receive: Up to 5 days of free personal full-time use of our fully equipped CUAS test range including targets. On-site one-on-one continual interaction with Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and RCMP end-users, and science experts. Opportunity to iteratively test, demonstrate, and improve your technology. Ability to customize and adjust your test plan with the CAF on the fly to optimize your range time. Exposure of your innovation to multiple Canadian & international defence and security trusted partners. Visit the CUAS 2022 Challenge page for all the details you need in order to apply. All application must be submitted prior to 2 PM EST on April 13, 2022. Eric Fournier sits down with Armasuisse Insights to talk all things innovation. Learn what the DG of IDEaS has to say about governmental defence innovation, it's ecosystem, as well as new and exciting opportunities made available to Canadian Innovators through the IDEaS program. Read the full interview here: Looking abroad – Innovation at the Canadian Department of National Defence (admin.ch) Le défi CUAS Détecter et Vaincre 2.0 d'Environnement protégé est maintenant en ligne! Il est temps de se tourner vers le ciel! Après avoir tenu un Environnement protégé en 2019 portant sur la lutte contre les systèmes aériens sans pilote (CUAS), IDEeS invite les innovateurs à présenter leurs meilleures solutions afin de détecter et/ou vaincre notre équipe de drones. IDEeS recherche des prototypes CUAS de niveau supérieur capables de résoudre le défi de l'Environnement protégé et de s'intégrer dans le système militaire plus large de commandement et de contrôle. Les innovateurs invités à participer recevront : Jusqu'à cinq jours d'utilisation personnelle gratuite à temps plein de notre champ de tir pour CUAS entièrement équipée, y compris les cibles. Interaction continue et individuelle sur site avec nos utilisateurs militaires des FAC et nos experts scientifiques. Testez, démontrez et améliorez votre technologie de manière itérative. Personnalisez et ajustez votre plan d'essai avec les FAC sur le champ pour optimiser votre temps d'autonomie. Exhibez votre innovation devant de multiples partenaires canadiens et internationaux en matière de défense et de sécurité. Visitez la page du défi CUAS 2022 pour tous les détails dont vous avez besoin afin de postuler. Toutes les candidatures doivent être soumises avant 14 heures HNE le 13 avril 2022. Eric Fournier partage sa vision de l'innovation avec Armasuisse Insights. Découvrez ce que le DG d'IDEeS a à dire sur l'innovation en matière de défense gouvernementale, sur son écosystème ainsi que sur les nouvelles possibilités intéressantes offertes aux innovateurs canadiens par le biais du programme IDEeS. Lisez l'entrevue complète ici : Regard sur l'étranger – Innovation au ministère de la Défense nationale canadien (admin.ch)
12 octobre 2018 | Local, Aérospatial, C4ISR
by Chris Thatcher The U.S. State Department has approved the possible sale of three King Air 350ER aircraft to meet a Canadian requirement for a manned airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (MAISR) platform. Airborne ISR systems were one of five investments specifically identified in the government's 2017 defence policy for Canadian special operations forces. The foreign military sale would provide a capability that special forces' command (CANSOFCOM) has been seeking for several years, but it could come with a high price tag. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on Oct. 4 approval for the sale of three extended range King Air 350 twin-turboprops from Wichita, Kansas-based Beechcraft, part of Textron Aviation. With Canadian modifications for some of the ISR systems, the estimated cost was pegged at $300 million, the agency said. A spokesperson for National Defence noted in an email that the cited cost “is not the final price; it is the full and all-inclusive value of every aspect of the aircraft, their supporting systems, and all potentially related costs, including contingency and risk. The final cost is anticipated to be much lower.” Ashley Lemire said the Canadian and U.S. governments would work to more clearly define the requirements in the coming months and “negotiate an acceptable price.” According to DSCA, the proposed sale would include the three aircraft fitted with WESCAM MX-15D electro-optical and infrared imaging sensors, AN/AAR-47B(V)2 missile and laser warning systems, AN/ALE-47 countermeasure dispenser systems, KIV-77 Mode 4/5 crypto applique computers for friend and foe identification, plus various advanced receivers and transponders and network encryptors. It would also include mission equipment, communication and navigation equipment, special tools and test equipment, ground support equipment, airframe and engine spare parts, as well as training. “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the military capability of Canada,” DSCA said in a statement. “The proposed sale improves Canada's capability to meet current and future threats; strengthen its homeland defence and the combined defence of North America; and supports coalition partners overseas. This proposed sale will improve interoperability with U.S. forces and other regional allies.” Though CANSOFCOM had been looking at options from a number of potential suppliers, including Canadian manufacturers, a DND spokesperson told ***Skies*** in May that the U.S. government was “identified as the only source of supply capable of providing the fully-integrated solution.” “Aircraft such as these will help enhance the ability of our Special Operations Forces to improve their understanding of the operational environment,” said Jessica Lamirande. “MAISR will have the capacity to be deployed on short notice and will provide the [Canadian Armed Forces] with better situational awareness on the ground and thus positively affecting the ability of CAF leaders to make decisions leading to mission success.” Though the aircraft will be a special forces asset, the King Airs will be operated and maintained by the Royal Canadian Air Force. “The RCAF is the lead force generator for the actual capability,” BGen Michel Lalumiere, director general of Air Force Development, told ***Skies***. “This is a sophisticated system, so there's a lot of integration” for near-real data transfer and ensuring interoperability with allies. “We will be in contested areas with this aircraft and sometimes adversaries have a vote,” he said. “This aircraft needs to bring, definitely, a set of capabilities to be able to operate in those types of environments.” In addition to modifying the aircraft with ISR equipment, the Canadian government will also seek to procure in-service support (ISS) through a competitive process. On Oct. 4, Public Services and Procurement Canada issued a letter of interest inviting industry to attend a presentation from CANSOFCOM and procurement officials on the sustainment requirements, which have national security implications. A letter of interest for feedback on MAISR in-service support was issued in April and over 15 companies registered to attend an ISS industry day in June. Further industry engagement activities are expected to continue until the spring of 2019. Delivery of the first King Air is expected by 2020. https://www.skiesmag.com/news/canada-gets-green-light-to-buy-king-air-surveillance-aircraft