16 novembre 2018 | Local, C4ISR, Sécurité
HALIFAX — Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan says Russia's disruptive behaviour on the world stage is a key concern for Canada.
Sajjan made the remark Friday at the opening of the Halifax International Security Forum, a three-day event that has attracted security experts and politicians from around the world.
The minister cited Russia's annexation of Crimea and its aggressive posture toward neighbouring Georgia as examples of a worrisome trend.
"The disruptive nature that Russia has taken, it goes against the rules-based order that we're used to," he told a news conference at a downtown hotel.
He said the recent commemorations marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War serve as a poignant reminder of the fragility of democratic institutions.
"It's even more important now that nations act in a responsible manner; that we do not provoke," he said.
"Unfortunately, because of the actions that Russia has taken, we do need to make sure we send a strong message of deterrence, and with NATO we are doing that."
Canada has taken a particular interest in confronting Russia's use of so-called hybrid warfare, which blends conventional warfare and cyber-warfare to destabilize democracies, Sajjan said.
Peter Van Praagh, president of the Halifax International Security Forum, said Russia's internal struggles have had an impact on the rest of the world.
"Russia is a great country historically, but Russia is also a failing country, simultaneously," Van Praagh told reporters.
"Russia is struggling with both of those things going on at the same time."
On Saturday, a panel of experts will take part in a discussion titled: "Beijing's Cravings, Kremlin's Gremlins: Freedom's Foes."
"Russia doesn't have the same advanced tools that Canada and NATO has," Van Praagh said. "Russia is using different tools to exert influence ... We can't allow Russia or any other country to interfere in the operations of domestic democracies."
The conference, which has attracted 300 delegates from 70 countries, is being held in conjunction with a meeting of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.
Van Praagh also cited the end of the First World War 100 years ago, saying delegates to the conference will be keeping that key event in mind.
"Looking at 1918 through the prism of 100 years is a good reminder of the cost of war," he said. "It is also a reminder of our responsibility to protect our democracy. The work of democracy is never quite complete."
It's the fourth time Sajjan has attended the security conference as defence minister.
He said other key issues that require delegates' attention include the conflicts in Syria and Yemen, ongoing political changes on the Korean peninsula and Canada's renewed role as an international peacekeeper.
"For a decade, (the forum) has been the place to discuss global defence and security issues that define our times," he said.
Among those invited to speak at the forum is U.S. Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Dunford is the highest-ranking military officer in the United States and an adviser to President Donald Trump.
The delegates to the forum are almost exclusively from democratic regimes.
Michael MacDonald, The Canadian Press
17 décembre 2023 | Local, Sécurité
Today, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, accompanied by General Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff, are visiting Latvia – home to Canada’s largest foreign military deployment
5 novembre 2018 | Local, Aérospatial
CALGARY, Nov. 5, 2018 /CNW/ - QinetiQ Target Systems, the largest UAV manufacturer in Canada, and Canadian UAVs (CUAVs), Canada's leading unmanned aviation solutions provider for enterprise and military applications, is proud to announce that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), outlining how the two companies will work together to bring combined 'best of breed' solutions for military and commercial markets. The agreement focuses on providing services to clients requiring long range, endurance and payload capacity primarily with the Skeldar V200, Mosquito UHV-T Group 2 UAV and the class 1 UAV Snyper. With manufacturing and operations facilities in Medicine Hat and Calgary as well as satellite locations across the country including at major naval bases on both coasts, the partnership is perfectly placed to provide direct services for both the commercial, civil and military markets in Canada. "We are thrilled to partner with CUAVs. CUAVs provide outstanding UAV services and expertise, and we are confident that this partnership will meet and exceed the requirements of our existing and new UAV clients in Canada. We are also actively pursuing export opportunities to further leverage our joint capabilities", commented Vincent Malley, Director of Business Development at QinetiQ Target Systems. "Canadian UAVs is delighted to be working closely with QinetiQ Target Systems. They have been a UAV provider to the military for over three decades and we believe our current and future clients will benefit greatly from our comprehensive combined capacity and expertise. We are very excited for the future of unmanned aviation in Canadaand we believe this joint offering will have significant positive implications for the further advance of this industry." said Sean Greenwood, President, and CEO of Canadian UAVs". Notes for Editors: About QinetiQ Listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: QQ.L), QinetiQ is a leading science and engineering company operating primarily in the defence, security and aerospace markets. Our customers are predominantly government organisations including defence departments, as well as international customers in other targeted sectors. Visit our website www.QinetiQ.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @QinetiQ Consult our privacy policy About Canadian UAVs Canadian UAVs is a Calgary-based solutions provider focused on safety-first data acquisition for unmanned aerial vehicle applications. CUAVs provides a range of custom and innovative UAV solutions for industrial environments where advanced imaging is necessary for surveying on an iterative or fixed point basis. Using advanced technology to monitor and acquire data about industrial assets, the company provides a viable advantage for clients and enterprises seeking to mitigate risk. SOURCE Canadian UAVS For further information: Please contact, QinetiQ Press Office on Tel: +44 (0) 1252 39 3500 or email: PressOffice@QinetiQ.com; Contact: Sean Greenwood (403) 796-5102 or visit our website: http://CanadianUAVs.ca https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/qinetiq-target-systems-and-canadian-uavs-sign-memorandum-of-understanding-for-commercial-and-military-uav-services-in-canada-699634171.html
13 mai 2019 | Local, Aérospatial
La Presse canadienne Le plus haut responsable de l'approvisionnement militaire au Canada affirme que les prochains avions de chasse des Forces armées canadiennes pourraient subir des modifications pour être certifiés selon les normes américaines, mais il ne s'inquiète pas d'une possible ingérence politique des États-Unis. Correction : Dans une dépêche transmise vendredi, La Presse canadienne avait erronément rapporté que les États-Unis devraient approuver tout achat d'avion de chasse par le Canada. En réalité, le Canada peut acheter le modèle qu'il veut, mais l'appareil choisi pourrait subir des modifications pour être certifié selon leurs normes. Patrick Finn, sous-ministre adjoint du Groupe des matériels du ministère de la Défense nationale, a fait savoir que les États-Unis devaient certifier que l'avion de combat choisi par le Canada est conforme aux normes de sécurité américaines. En effet, quel que soit l'appareil qui va remplacer les vieux CF-18, il doit être compatible avec le réseau de renseignement le plus sécurisé des États-Unis, qui vise à protéger l'Amérique du Nord par l'entremise du Commandement de la défense aérospatiale de l'Amérique du Nord (NORAD). Le NORAD utilise un réseau de satellites, de radars basés au sol, de radars aéroportés, ainsi que des avions de chasse pour détecter et intercepter les menaces aériennes visant le Canada et les États-Unis. Des représentants de l'industrie craignent que cette obligation serve de prétexte aux États-Unis pour empêcher le Canada d'acheter les modèles Eurofighter Typhoon ou Saab Gripen, fabriqués par des sociétés européennes. Ces entreprises sont des concurrentes des constructeurs américains. Ces inquiétudes sont particulièrement vives en ce moment, étant donné l'attention particulière qu'accorde l'administration du président Donald Trump à la vente de produits américains à des pays étrangers. Bien qu'il soit incapable d'exclure entièrement ce risque, Patrick Finn indique que cette certification ne sera nécessaire que dans plusieurs années, et que des responsables américains ont déjà manifesté leur ouverture à l'achat d'avions non américains par le Canada. https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1169226/futurs-avions-chasse-canadiens-approbation-washington