Retour aux nouvelles

14 juin 2018 | Local, Aérospatial, Naval, Terrestre

Trade dispute could leave U.S. firms out of the running to sell military equipment to Canada

U.S. President Donald Trump's tirade against Canada and threats to punish the country could undermine efforts by American firms trying to sell fighter jets and other military equipment to the Canadian Forces, warn defence and industry analysts.

One European firm, Airbus, has already been talking with Canadian officials to pitch its plan to build fighter jets in Quebec as it positions itself to win the $16-billion deal to replace CF-18 aircraft.

An Italian aerospace firm, Leonardo, is looking at building helicopters in Nova Scotia as it moves towards negotiations for a search-and-rescue aircraft modernization project the Department of National Defence says will be worth between $1 billion and $5 billion.

Trump has hit Canadian aluminum and steel with tariffs, claiming their import is a threat to national security. After the weekend G7 meeting and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's reaffirming that Canada would reciprocate with tariffs on specific U.S. products, Trump vowed more economic grief that will “cost a lot of money for the people of Canada.”

Trump's move comes at a time when European firms are courting the Canadian government, particularly on big-ticket defence items such as aircraft and warships. Billions of dollars in new purchases are potentially at stake and European firms had a strong presence at the recent CANSEC military equipment trade show in Ottawa.

“Trump certainly isn't helping U.S. defence companies who want to sell to Canada,” said Martin Shadwick, a defence analyst in Toronto. “It would be very difficult at this point from a political optics point of view for the government to announce awarding contracts to any American firm.”

Shadwick said whether that situation will continue for the next several years, when for instance the decision on new fighter jets is supposed to be made, would depend on any further actions by the president. Two U.S. aircraft, the Boeing Super Hornet and the Lockheed Martin F-35, are among the top contenders in that jet competition. The other three aircraft are from European companies.

An earlier trade dispute with Canada has already backfired on Boeing and the Trump administration, costing the U.S. billions in fighter jet sales. Last year Boeing complained to the U.S. Commerce Department that Canadian subsidies for Quebec-based Bombardier allowed it to sell its civilian passenger aircraft in the U.S. at cut-rate prices. As a result, the Trump administration brought in a tariff of almost 300 per cent against Bombardier aircraft sold in the U.S.

In retaliation, Canada decided against buying 18 new Super Hornet fighter jets from Boeing. That deal would have been worth more than US$5 billion.

Christyn Cianfarani, president of the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries, said it is too early to determine the impact of the U.S. tariffs on the domestic defence industry. “Tariffs are never good for trade or business,” she added.

“CADSI is monitoring the issue and consulting our members to better understand the potential impact to Canadian firms, both in terms of the direct impact of any tariffs and the more indirect, long term impact on supply chains and market access,” she said.

There is growing concern that Canadian aviation firms could be hurt by Trump's aluminum tariffs. The Aerospace Industries Association of Canada did not respond to a request for comment. But its counterpart in the U.S. has voiced concern that American aerospace companies could feel pain.

In March, the U.S. Aerospace Industries Association noted it was deeply concerned about Trump's tariffs on steel and aluminum as it “will raise costs and disrupt the supply chain, putting U.S. global competitiveness at risk.”

“There is also a significant threat for retaliation from other countries towards American made products,” the association noted in a statement.

Canada is the largest exporter of aluminum and steel to the U.S.

http://nationalpost.com/news/politics/trade-dispute-could-leave-u-s-firms-out-of-the-running-to-sell-military-equipment-to-canada

Sur le même sujet

  • Les gouvernements du Canada et du Manitoba renforcent l'industrie de l'aérospatiale

    11 octobre 2018 | Local, Aérospatial

    Les gouvernements du Canada et du Manitoba renforcent l'industrie de l'aérospatiale

    WINNIPEG, le 10 oct. 2018 /CNW/ - Le Manitoba possède la troisième grappe en importance sur le plan de l'aérospatiale au Canada, comptant plus de 50 entreprises du domaine de l'aérospatiale qui possèdent leur administration centrale ou d'importants centres d'activités dans la province, et qui offrent à la classe moyenne plus de 4 600 emplois bien rémunérés. Aujourd'hui, l'honorable Navdeep Bains, ministre de l'Innovation, des Sciences et du Développement économique et ministre responsable de Diversification de l'économie de l'Ouest Canada (DEO), de concert avec Scott Johnston, membre de l'Assemblée législative du Manitoba pour St. James, ont annoncé une aide financière de 10 millions de dollars destinée à quatre projets visant à promouvoir l'innovation, le perfectionnement des compétences et la croissance au sein de l'industrie de l'aérospatiale du Manitoba. Le gouvernement du Canada et la Province du Manitoba ont uni leurs efforts pour trouver des initiatives conçues pour assurer l'avenir de l'aérospatiale au Manitoba. Ensemble, ces initiatives permettent d'aborder des pressions nouvelles et émergentes sur le plan de la concurrence, tout en appuyant une stratégie de croissance portant sur les défis que représente le besoin d'innover, de maintenir des compétences technologiques et d'améliorer la productivité. Quatre projets bénéficieront des investissements suivants : Composites Innovation Centre : 1,8 million de dollars pour établir un espace de collaboration à la Smart Factory du Collège Red River pour concevoir, démontrer et valider de nouveaux produits et procédés composites de pointe dans le domaine de l'aérospatiale. Magellan Aerospace Limited : 5 millions de dollars pour intégrer une conception, une production et des technologies accrues à l'industrie de l'aérospatiale du Manitoba, renforçant l'avantage concurrentiel du Manitoba en tant que leader dans la chaîne d'approvisionnement mondiale dans le domaine de l'aérospatiale. West Canitest R&D Inc. (WestCaRD) : 1,6 million de dollars pour élargir la portée des capacités de mise à l'essai de moteurs du GE Aviation Test, Research and Development Centre, solidifiant la position de Winnipeg en tant qu'emplacement de choix pour mettre à l'essai les moteurs de GE. Composites Innovation Centre : 1,6 million de dollars pour administrer et verser le Manitoba Aerospace Fund visant à appuyer la commercialisation de produits, l'innovation des procédés et les activités de prospection de clientèle de petites et moyennes entreprises dans le secteur de l'aérospatiale du Manitoba. Ces projets mèneront à la création d'emplois bien rémunérés, introduiront de nouvelles capacités de conception de produits et technologies de fabrication, faciliteront l'introduction de technologies novatrices de fabrication composée et élargiront les capacités de mise à l'essai de moteurs. Faits en bref La fabrication constitue le plus important secteur industriel de Winnipeg. Le Manitoba figure au troisième rang parmi les carrefours de l'aérospatiale les plus importants au Canada, employant plus de 4 600 personnes. Cet investissement créera approximativement 70 emplois et fera croître l'économie régionale gr'ce à un accroissement des ventes à l'échelle mondiale. Citations « L'investissement de notre gouvernement dans l'industrie de l'aérospatiale canadienne s'appuie sur notre plan ambitieux de transformer les forces économiques du Canada en réussites mondiales. Ces projets appuient une grappe économique clé au Manitoba et dans l'Ouest canadien, grappe qui continuera de créer de bons emplois pour la classe moyenne de demain. » - L'honorable Navdeep Bains, ministre de l'Innovation, des Sciences et du Développement économique et ministre responsable de Diversification de l'économie de l'Ouest Canada « Le secteur de l'aérospatiale du Manitoba est compétitif à l'échelle mondiale et constitue un élément important de notre économie provinciale. Nous continuons d'appuyer le développement, dans le secteur, d'une main-d'œuvre de pointe, et nous sommes heureux d'avoir fait de ces projets des priorités dans l'établissement de la prochaine génération d'expertise en fabrication de pointe ici au Manitoba. » - Scott Johnston, membre de l'Assemblée législative du Manitoba pour St. James, au nom de Blaine Pedersen, ministre de la Croissance, de l'Entreprise et du Commerce du Manitoba « Nous sommes heureux de bénéficier de l'aide de Diversification de l'économie de l'Ouest Canada dans le cadre du lancement d'un projet de développement technologique collaboratif qui rassemble nos partenaires de l'industrie, de la recherche et du milieu universitaire. Nous sommes fiers aussi de soutenir l'objectif du Manitoba Aerospace Fund consistant à accroître la compétitivité industrielle ainsi que notre empreinte économique sur le secteur de l'aérospatiale. Avec ces fonds, nous comptons unir nos efforts pour accroître nos capacités à faire du Manitoba, et du Canada, des leaders dans le domaine de l'aérospatiale. » - Doug McCartney, président et directeur général, Composites Innovation Centre « Magellan est à la fois heureuse et reconnaissante de poursuivre son partenariat avec Diversification de l'économie de l'Ouest Canada dans le but d'investir dans le renforcement du secteur de la fabrication de pointe de Winnipeg. Le partenariat avec DEO annoncé aujourd'hui contribuera directement aux technologies et à la formation requises pour livrer les biens manufacturés spécialisés pour la prochaine génération de produits de l'aérospatiale. » - Dan Pashniak, directeur général, Magellan Aerospace, Winnipeg "WestCaRD se réjouit de l'aide financière accordée par le gouvernement du Canada destinée à la mise à l'essai avancée de moteurs d'aéronefs, à la recherche et au développement à Winnipeg. Des occasions d'emplois de grande qualité sont créées et maintenues directement gr'ce aux essais de mise au point, tandis que d'autres occasions sont générées indirectement par la recherche-développement de pointe nécessaire pour concevoir, entretenir et exploiter de nouvelles générations d'aéronefs encore plus efficaces, sécuritaires et respectueux de l'environnement. Cet investissement dans l'avenir braque les projecteurs sur le Manitoba, soulignant ainsi la vigueur économique de son secteur de l'aérospatiale, et il constitue un brillant exemple de la collaboration entre le gouvernement et l'industrie visant à assurer la santé et le mieux-être économiques à long terme du Canada et du Manitoba." - Bob Hastings, directeur général, WestCaRD SOURCE Diversification de l'économie de l'Ouest du Canada https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/les-gouvernements-du-canada-et-du-manitoba-renforcent-lindustrie-de-laerospatiale-696617531.html

  • Fighter jet RFP released

    24 juillet 2019 | Local, Aérospatial

    Fighter jet RFP released

    Posted on July 24, 2019 by Chris Thatcher A formal request for proposals (RFP) to replace the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) fleet of CF-188 Hornets was released on July 23, launching the final phase of an intense competition for what will be the largest acquisition in recent Air Force history. The much-anticipated RFP had been expected in May, but was pushed back several months to allow procurement officials to asses changes to a draft version requested by several of the likely bidders. Valued at up to $19 billion, the future fighter project is seeking proposals for 88 advanced aircraft to replace an RCAF fleet of 76 Hornets that began entering service in the mid-1980s. Four suppliers have been qualified to submit bids: Sweden's Saab Aeronautics with the Gripen E; Airbus Defense and Space, under the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, with the Eurofighter Typhoon; Boeing with the F/A-18 Super Hornet; and Lockheed Martin with the F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. The latter two both have the support of the United States government. Proposals must be submitted by spring 2020–no date was provided in the government press release–but bidders will have at least two opportunities to confirm critical elements of their submission meet Canada's security and interoperability requirements. During industry engagements over the past two years, senior officers with the Fighter Capability Office have stressed the importance of Two Eyes (Canada-U.S.) and Five Eyes (Canada, U.S., United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand) interoperability. The fighter fleet is integral to both Canadian sovereignty and U.S. defence through the NORAD mission. French manufacturer Dassault Aviation withdrew from the competition in November 2018, citing the Two Eyes requirements as a restricting factor to any proposal. Bidders can provide their security offer for feedback by fall 2019, and then revise. They will also have an opportunity after the full proposals are delivered to address deficiencies “related to mandatory criteria,” Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) said in a statement. “[Bidders] will receive feedback from Canada so that they can address non-compliance. This approach has already been used for other large federal procurements and has proven to be successful in maintaining a high level of competition.” Though technical capability will account for 60 per cent of the evaluation, economic benefit to Canada will be worth 20 per cent, the highest weighting for economic return on any procurement to date. The final 20 per cent will be attributed to overall program cost. One reason for the delayed RFP was concern raised by Lockheed Martin over how the government's Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) policy would apply. Though 110 Canadian companies have received around US$1.5 billion in contracts for the F-35 program to date, the company is unable to offer the type of industrial offsets required by the ITB policy and believed it would be at a disadvantage. The government was reminded that, as a signatory of the Joint Strike Fighter Production, Sustainment and Follow-on Development Memorandum of Understanding in 2006, it had agreed not to impose “work sharing or other industrial or commercial compensation ... that is not in accordance with the MOU.” Carla Qualtrough, minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility, told defence executives at a trade show in May that changes had been made to the statement of requirements that would “ensure a level playing field” while “maintaining our government's policy objectives. “Every bid must still include a plan for ITBs equal to 100 per cent or more of the contract value. That doesn't change,” she said. “This procurement is a generational opportunity for the Canadian aerospace industry that will generate good middle-class jobs across the country. What will change is that it will be up to each supplier to decide whether they will also provide a contractual obligation for their ITBs.” Bidders will score higher if their ITB plan is backed with a contractual obligation, added Qualtrough. “This is a complex process. As complex as any the federal government has ever conducted. The field is comprised of very different entities – and dynamics. Conducting a truly open and fair competition among them is indeed a challenge,” she said. Mitch Davies, a senior assistant deputy minister at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, told CBC on July 23 that the ITB requirement had been structured so that companies could “make a compliant ITB offer that suits their circumstances,” but that Lockheed Martin could still be penalized for failure to meet certain contractual commitments. The competition is being monitored by an independent fairness monitor. In public statements, Lockheed Martin said it looks forward to participating in the competition, while other companies said they will review the RFP documents. The U.S. Air Force has been touring the F-35 in Canada this summer; it performed at the Bagotville Airshow in June and will be at the Ottawa-Gatineau airshow in early September. A spokesperson told Skies the fighter is “the most survivable aircraft and a generational leap ahead of any other fighter in production today. From a cost perspective, we've reduced production cost below $80 million,” which would be on par, if not below, other legacy aircraft. Over 400 aircraft have now been built, accumulating 200,000 flight hours. When the government re-launched the Future Fighter Capability project in late 2017, it also said the eventual evaluation would include an assessment of a bidder's “impact on Canada's economic interests,” a clause directed at Boeing for its then trade complaint against Montreal-based Bombardier. With the trade complaint since dismissed by U.S. International Trade Commission, Jim Barnes, Boeing's team lead for the Canada, told Skies in May the clause would not have “an impact on our competitiveness.” Boeing will likely bid the Block 3 variant of the Super Hornet, “the next evolution” that features advanced networking and data processing capabilities in a distributed targeting processor network with cockpit touch panel displays, and in an airframe that has been enhanced from 6,000 to 10,000 flight hours. “The baseline Super Hornet attributes, with the capability increases of the Block 3, is an ideally suited aircraft for NORAD and NATO operations,” said Barnes. “At this point in time, we think we have a very compelling offer to put on the table.” That offer could be bolstered by the continued interest in the aircraft by the U.S. Navy. Boeing has signed a multi-year contract for 110 Block 3 aircraft out to 2026, and is expected to convert as many as 442 Block 2 variants to the Block 3 configuration by 2033. “It is the perfect time for an international customer to procure the Super Hornet,” he said, noting that the ongoing U.S. Navy program will help maintain acquisition and lifecycle costs. Airbus Defence & Space has said from start of the competition that it would decide whether to submit a proposal once the final statement of requirements in the RFP was released. The Typhoon serves in a similar role to NORAD duty with the Royal Air Force, and has participated in numerous missions with U.S. aircraft. It is unclear how easily it could be incorporated into NORAD mission systems. However, Airbus has continued to strengthen its position in Canada, winning the fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft competition in 2016 and partnering with Bombardier on the C Series, now known as the Airbus A220. It now calls Canada it's fifth home country. “We are proud of our history as a longstanding partner to Canada, serving the country's aerospace priorities for over three decades. We welcome the new opportunities to support the Canadian Armed Forces, to provide skilled aerospace jobs across our country and to help safeguard Canadian sovereignty,” Simon Jacques, president of Airbus Defence and Space Canada, told CBC. While the Gripen E might be the dark horse in the competition, Patrick Palmer, Saab Canada's executive vice-president, told defence reporters in May the aircraft was designed to be easily upgradeable as technology changes–the avionics software is split so that flight-critical and tactical modules can be upgraded separately “without having to have a full aircraft recertified.” The jet has also evolved to ensure NATO interoperability and meet “the threats beyond 2025 – the threats we know today, the threats we don't know today ... in any contested airspace environment,” he said. More important for the NORAD mission, the Gripen was designed from the outset for Arctic operations, requiring minimal ground crew support and featuring the ability to operate from austere airstrips. PSPC expects to award a contract in 2022. The first aircraft will be delivered starting in 2025. https://www.skiesmag.com/news/fighter-jet-rfp-released/

  • Thales to provide seven more GM200 MM/C radars for Dutch Army

    16 avril 2024 | Local, Terrestre

    Thales to provide seven more GM200 MM/C radars for Dutch Army

    The Netherlands' Command Materiel and IT (COMMIT) has finalised an agreement with Thales to purchase seven GM200 MM/C radars.

Toutes les nouvelles