Nouvelles

Rheinmetall and BAE Systems today announced that they have signed an agreement to create a joint UK based military vehicle design, manufacturing and support business. The new Joint Venture will be headquartered at BAE Systems' facility in Telford, England and will sustain over 400 jobs in the UK, as well as preserve key technology and engineering skills. Rheinmetall will purchase a 55% stake in the existing BAE Systems UK based combat vehicles business, with BAE Systems retaining 45%. The establishment of the new Joint Venture is subject to regulatory approvals which are anticipated to be completed in the first half of 2019. Once the approvals have been completed, the Joint Venture will be known as Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL). In addition to managing and growing the existing combat vehicle support business, the intent is for the new Joint Venture to play a major role in the delivery of the British Army's new Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV) and other strategic combat vehicles programmes. The combination of Rheinmetall's military vehicles technology and products with the additional capabilities and products brought to the Joint Venture by BAE Systems, such as Trojan, Terrier, Warrior, military bridging and the AS90 self-propelled artillery system will create a European market leader in the military vehicle sector. RBSL will have the potential to create hundreds of additional UK jobs, both in Telford and the wider supply chain. While initially focused on these major UK programmes, RBSL will also form an integral part of Rheinmetall's Vehicle Systems Division and will participate in and contribute to various global military vehicle pursuits and contracts. Jennifer Osbaldestin, Managing Director of BAE Systems Land UK business, said: “We are committed to evolving our combat vehicles business so that we better serve our customers' future interests. Joining forces with Rheinmetall in the UK provides renewed purpose for our vehicles business and allows us to deliver products, services and technology that help land forces excel in their vital roles. We look forward to working together to ensure the Joint Venture is a trusted supplier to the British Army and our international customers.” Ben Hudson, Global Head of Rheinmetall's Vehicle Systems Division, said: “We are excited about the potential the new Joint Venture holds for Rheinmetall, BAE Systems and ultimately our customers. The combined capabilities of our two great companies will offer our customers a comprehensive portfolio of military vehicles and associated technologies both now and into the future. We are proud to invest in the UK and expect to substantially grow the current business and the Telford manufacturing facility over the coming years.” https://www.baesystems.com/en/article/rheinmetall-and-bae-systems-to-create-a-uk-based-land-systems-joint-venture

(B2) Pour « mettre en œuvre le Traité d'Aix-la-Chapelle », Français et Allemands ont ciblé « 15 projets prioritaires, dont le suivi sera assuré par le Conseil des ministres franco-allemand ». En voici la liste : sympathique, mais pas vraiment très enthousiasmant... Coopération accrue au sein du Conseil de sécurité des Nations Unies, à l'occasion du mandat de deux ans de l'Allemagne, notamment par le « jumelage » des deux présidences du Conseil de sécurité (la France en mars et l'Allemagne en avril 2019, en 2020 soit en mai/juin soit en juin/juillet). Création de quatre instituts culturels franco-allemands intégrés (Rio, Palerme, Erbil, Bichkek) et co-localisation de cinq instituts français et allemands (Cordoba, Atlanta, Glasgow, Minsk, Ramallah). Création d'une plateforme numérique franco-allemande de contenus audiovisuels et d'information. Élargissement des programmes de mobilité, par exemple dans le cadre de l'Office franco-allemand pour la Jeunesse, notamment pour les jeunes ayant des besoins spécifiques, les stagiaires et les apprentis, et fixation d'objectifs quantifiables. Mise en place d'un Fonds citoyen commun destiné à appuyer les projets conjoints d'acteurs de la société civile, notamment les initiatives citoyennes et les jumelages de communes. Mise en place d'un comité de coopération transfrontalière chargé de définir une stratégie commune pour le choix de projets prioritaires, d'assurer le suivi des difficultés rencontrées dans les territoires frontaliers et d'émettre des propositions en vue d'y remédier. Mise en œuvre conjointe d'un projet de territoire portant sur la reconversion de la zone de proximité de la centrale nucléaire de Fessenheim dans le contexte de sa fermeture, au travers d'un parc d'activités économiques et d'innovation franco-allemand, de projets dans le domaine de la mobilité transfrontalière, de la transition énergétique et de l'innovation. Amélioration des liaisons ferroviaires transfrontalières, par exemple : Colmar-Fribourg, en reconstruisant le pont traversant le Rhin en fonction des résultats de l'étude de faisabilité en cours, mais aussi liaison entre Strasbourg et l'aéroport de Francfort, liaison Strasbourg-Palatinat, liaison entre Sarrebruck et Paris. Renforcement de la coopération bilatérale de haut niveau en matière d'énergie et de climat, notamment concernant les plans nationaux pour l'énergie et le climat. Cela doit permettre de partager des hypothèses sur l'évolution du mix électrique, d'étudier la possibilité d'instaurer un plan commun franco-allemand dans les stratégies nationales, et de créer des incitations afin de faciliter la réalisation des objectifs nationaux en matière de transition énergétique. Création d'un réseau franco-allemand de recherche et d'innovation (« centre virtuel ») pour l'intelligence artificielle, reposant sur les structures existantes des deux pays. Coopération dans le secteur spatial en suivant trois axes prioritaires : promotion d'une stratégie commune pour une Europe plus innovante au sein de la nouvelle économie spatiale ; coopération permettant d'accroître la compétitivité de l'industrie spatiale, notamment dans un cadre industriel optimisé ; consolidation de l'accès autonome de l'Europe à l'espace gr'ce à des investissements en recherche et développement, la rationalisation industrielle et la préférence accordée aux lanceurs européens. Promotion de directives au niveau international sur l'éthique des nouvelles technologies et de valeurs communes dans la sphère du numérique et la société numérique. Création d'un groupe d'experts dans le domaine social, comprenant les partenaires sociaux, sur « l'avenir du travail ». Coopération au sein de l'Union européenne dans le domaine des services et des marchés financiers, afin de parvenir à un cadre de régulation de haute qualité, notamment sur la finance durable. https://www.bruxelles2.eu/2019/01/22/les-15-projets-prioritaires-du-couple-franco-allemand-la-liste/

By SYDNEY J. FREEDBERG JR. The Marines want Vertical Launch System missile tubes on their new amphibious ships -- but the Navy isn't planning to leave room for them. ARLINGTON: The Marines want better-armed amphibious warships for high-end combat, but there's no money in the budget and little room on the ships for their preferred solution, the Vertical Launch System. That leaves them looking at less capable but more affordable upgrades. Those range from bolting small Naval Strike Missile pods onto the deck – as on the Littoral Combat Ship – to parking a HIMARS missile-launcher truck on the back of the ship – as they tested during last year's Dawn Blitz wargames. Why does this matter? In a major war against Russia or China, or even Iran, amphibious warships — as currently equipped — would have to rely on escorting destroyers both defensively, to shoot down attacking missiles and airplanes, and offensively, sinking enemy ships and bombarding targets ashore. But those destroyers might not always be available and, even if they are, they might overwhelmed by the sheer volume of incoming fire. So the Marines want better-armed amphibs that can, ideally, operate unescorted or, at minimum, take on some of the burden of their own defense. To do that, “the naval force must upgrade the C2 (command and control) suites and introduce Vertical Launch Systems,” Lt. Gen. Brian Beaudreault, the Marines' three-star deputy commandant for plans, policies, & operations, told the Surface Navy Association conference on Wednesday. But, I asked him during Q&A, is there actually any money in the budget to add VLS to amphibs? “I'm not aware that there's funding in the program for VLS,” said Beaudreault, who oversees Marine budgeting. “We can't afford as a Marine Corps to put it in there.” Full article: https://breakingdefense.com/2019/01/marines-navy-wrestle-with-how-to-upgun-amphibs

(B2) Passées quelques généralités, il faut lire attentivement le traité d'Aix-la-Chapelle. Celui-ci recèle quelques beautés cachées qui méritent une attention, notamment en matière de défense et de diplomatie La salle du couronnement de l'Hôtel de ville d'Aix-la-Chapelle, qui accueille ce mardi (22 janvier) la Chancelière Angela Merkel et le président Emmanuel Macron sous le blason de Charlemagne, qui unit le lys français à l'aigle allemand, aurait sans doute mérité un peu plus d'enthousiasme et d'explications. Tel un vieux diesel poussif, qui recrache plus de scories que d'énergie, le traité d'Aix-la-Chapelle, qui vient s'ajouter au bon vieux traité de l'Elysée de 1963, manque d'un grand projet qui pourrait faire vibrer un peu nos nations endormies. Il reste souvent limité dans son ambition, marquée par toute une série de réserves, hésitant entre l'emphase et le réalisme précautionneux, et finalement moins concret que son aîné. Mais il ne faut pas s'arrêter à un premier survol, naturellement critique. Ce texte recèle aussi plusieurs vertus qu'il importe de bien détailler. De nombreux engagements, anodins en apparence, donneront bien du fil à retordre à leurs auteurs pour être mis en œuvre jusqu'au bout. Ne pas les mettre en valeur serait une erreur. Une vertu stratégique : le couple franco-allemand dans l'Europe La première vertu stratégique de ce texte est de resituer le franco-allemand dans le contexte actuel. Il permet d'affirmer, haut et fort, combien la nécessaire coopération entre Paris et Berlin est nécessaire et utile non seulement pour les Français et les Allemands, mais aussi pour les Européens. Avec le départ du Royaume-Uni, la France et l'Allemagne restent plus que jamais les deux principales puissances de l'Union européenne, rassemblant près d'un Européen sur trois. C'est dans ce cadre que Français et Allemands situent désormais leur action et non plus seulement dans leur dialogue intuitu personae. C'est l'élément fondamental qui distingue à 55 ans de distance l'écrit de l'Elysée de celui d'Aix-la-Chapelle. « L'amitié étroite entre la France et l'Allemagne demeure un élément indispensable d'une Union européenne unie, efficace, souveraine et forte » est-il indiqué. Le mot Europe est inscrit à tous les tournants, tellement conjugué régulièrement à toutes les politiques, qu'on l'oublierait presque. Ainsi Paris et Berlin s'engagent à « renforcer leur coopération » en matière de politique étrangère, de défense ou de sécurité intérieure « tout en renforçant la capacité de l'Europe à agir de manière indépendante ». En matière de défense, ils s'engagent à la fois « à renforcer la capacité d'action de l'Europe » comme à « investir conjointement pour combler ses lacunes capacitaires » dans des projets industriels, etc. Une approche commune entre les deux armées La seconde vertu de ce texte est de mettre le curseur sur quelques difficultés qui empêchent d'avancer. Il entend ainsi jeter les bases d'une approche commune plus serrée entre les armées française et allemande. La volonté « d'instaurer d'une culture commune » est affirmée, tout comme celle « d'opérer des déploiements conjoints ». C'était déjà l'esprit du traité de l'Elysée, au moins pour la partie doctrinale. Mais on ne peut pas dire que les réalisations suivantes, notamment la création de la brigade franco-allemande, aient produit l'effet escompté. Les « doctrines » d'intervention restent différentes. Même si Français et Allemands se retrouvent souvent sur les mêmes terrains (Afghanistan, Mali...), ce sont souvent des déploiements juxtaposés (au mieux!) que des déploiements conjoints. Y arriver va nécessiter beaucoup d'efforts de part et d'autre : pour les Français il faudra être un peu plus patients et inclusifs et pour les Allemands être un peu plus volontaires et ... efficaces. C'est une vraie gageure. « Ce n'est pas facile » comme le dit Définir une politique d'armements commune Troisième ‘beauté cachée' : la mise en place d'une « approche commune en matière d'exportation d'armements ». Ce n'est pas gagné non plus. Les règles allemandes sont plus strictes que les règles françaises. Et le contexte politique national outre-Rhin est plus sensible à certaines exportations qu'en France. Mais c'est une nécessité à la fois politique et économique. Certes cette approche n'est valable que pour les « projets communs », et chaque pays restera maitre chez lui pour des projets purement nationaux. Mais, du moins pour les investissements lourds, l'investissement en commun va devenir la règle. Entre l'avion de transport militaire, A400M, les hélicoptères d'attaque Tigre ou de transport NH90, le futur char lourd, l'avion du futur (l'après Rafale) et le drone de surveillance européen (Eurodrone MALE), ils ne manquent pas. Ne pas définir une règle commune d'exportation serait mettre en péril certains projets industriels communs. Une clause de solidarité alternative Quatrième engagement : la volonté commune de défendre les frontières de l'autre s'il venait à être agressé. Les pays entendent se garantir mutuellement « aide et assistance éventuelle en cas d'attaque armée de leurs territoires ». Ce « par tous les moyens dont ils disposent, y compris la force armée ». Rien de nouveau en apparence. C'est la répétition du cadre des clauses dites de défense mutuelle ou d'assistance mutuelle prise dans le cadre de l'OTAN ou de l'Union européenne, avec toutes les limites qui s'imposent. L'assistance mutuelle ne se déclenche ainsi qu'en cas d'évènement très grave : une attaque armée, venant de l'extérieur, sur le territoire ‘européen' d'un des deux pays. Cette clause est donc surtout « symbolique et politique » ainsi que me l'a confié un haut gradé. Y voir quelque chose de totalement inutile est cependant une erreur. C'est plutôt une ‘double' assurance, qui n'aurait à s'actionner que si, pour une raison ou une autre, l'OTAN serait paralysée. En matière militaire, le superflu est parfois nécessaire... Militer pour une réforme du Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU Dernière vertu du texte, défendre la revendication allemande d'avoir un siège permanent au Conseil de sécurité des Nations unies. Ce n'est pas illogique au regard du poids économique et politique de l'Allemagne. Cette avancée est cependant liée à une réforme plus globale du Conseil de sécurité des Nations unies que les deux pays s'engagent à pousser. C'est en fait un cadeau fait à la coalition au pouvoir à Berlin qui a fait de cette présence un des points clés de sa politique étrangère. Paris n'entend pas céder donc son siège permanent au Conseil de sécurité et son droit de veto. C'est un des ressorts de la puissance diplomatique hexagonale. On est là face à des contradictions de la relation franco-allemande qu'il faudra bien résoudre demain. (Nicolas Gros-Verheyde) article paru chez Euractiv https://www.bruxelles2.eu/2019/01/22/les-cinq-beautes-cachees-du-traite-daix-la-chapelle/

DAVID PUGLIESE, OTTAWA CITIZEN The case dates back to 2016 when the Canadian International Trade Tribunal ruled that the process which awarded a truck contact to Mack Defense of the U.S. was flawed Taxpayers are on the hook for potentially tens of millions of dollars after federal bureaucrats bungled the purchase of trucks for the Canadian Forces and now must make good on the lost profits for a U.S. firm. But Public Services and Procurement Canada, which oversaw the flawed defence procurement, has declined to provide details on just how much the penalties will cost the public. Defence industry representatives, however, say the penalty being paid to the U.S. company, Oshkosh, could be as high as $60 million as it has to account for lost profit on the $834-million contract as well as other expenses the firm incurred. The case dates back to 2016 when the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) ruled that the process, which awarded the truck contact to Mack Defense of the U.S., was flawed. The CITT supported the concerns of Mack's rival, Oshkosh, that there were significant issues with the evaluation of the vehicles. As a result, the tribunal called on Public Services and Procurement Canada to conduct a new evaluation of the trucks being purchased for the Canadian Forces. The CITT recommended that Oshkosh be compensated for its lost opportunity to profit But instead, the department continued with the process to buy the Mack trucks and went to federal court in 2017 to challenge the tribunal's ruling. It recently abandoned that appeal. It was revealed by the tribunal that Public Services and Procurement Canada had failed to keep many key records to support its claim that the Mack trucks met the requirements for the Canadian military. “The CITT recommended that Oshkosh be compensated for its lost opportunity to profit,” the department noted in a response to Postmedia about the settlement it reached with the firm. The department, however, declined to provide details, claiming that the payout is confidential. It did not explain why the penalties that taxpayers must shoulder should be considered secret. “This matter is now closed,” according to the department's statement. The Conservative government announced in 2015 that Mack Defense had won the $834-million contract to provide the 1,500 standard military pattern trucks as well as in-service support for the vehicles. “Truck deliveries are ongoing and expected to be completed during spring 2020,” Public Services and Procurement Canada noted. It stated that the Mack trucks meet the required standards. Oshkosh said in a statement to Postmedia that it was pleased with the financial settlement that resulted from its challenge heard by the trade tribunal. “Oshkosh cannot comment further on the details of this confidential settlement,” noted Alexandra Hittle of Oshkosh Defense. The program to purchase the trucks was originally announced in 2006 by the Conservatives but the acquisition was dogged by problems. The vehicles were supposed to be delivered in 2008 and the project was considered a priority because the vehicles they were to replace had become a safety hazard, with faulty brakes and excessive rust. But in 2012 the Conservative government temporarily shut down the project after learning that the Department of National Defence increased the cost of the project by $300 million but hadn't received permission from government to do that. The government had approved an original budget of $430 million but department and military officials began adding more capabilities to what they wanted in the vehicles, bumping the estimated cost up. DND officials continued on with the acquisition without going back to Treasury Board for approval for the extra money, angering the Conservative government. Delivery of the Mack trucks began last year and have continued to various bases throughout Canada. Earlier this month Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan highlighted the delivery of some of the trucks to a base in Quebec, noting that, “through our defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, we are providing the women and men of our Canadian Armed Forces with the equipment they need to do their jobs.” Sajjan did not mention that the trucks were ordered under the Conservative government. dpugliese@postmedia.com https://ottawacitizen.com/news/canada/tens-of-millions-paid-out-due-to-bungled-canadian-forces-procurement-but-government-says-details-are-secret

NAVY Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded $439,563,841 for modification P00008 to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive contract (N00019-17-C-0030). This modification exercises an option for the production and delivery of 25 Lot 16 AH-1Z aircraft and 25 stores control units. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (60 percent); and Amarillo, Texas (40 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2022. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $439,563,841 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Global PCCI, Irvine, California, a joint venture, is awarded a maximum value $250,000,000 cost-plus-award-fee, fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the Emergency Ship Salvage Material (ESSM) system. The primary purpose of this contract is to manage the facilities with emergency response equipment stockpiles pre-positioned to support and augment the Navy fleet capability in the areas of salvage, diving, pollution response, and underwater ship husbandry maintained by the Supervisor of Salvage, SEA 00C. This contract includes five ordering periods, which if executed, would make the maximum value of this contract $250,000,000. Work will be performed worldwide, and is expected to be completed by January 2024 when all five ordering periods have been executed. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $5,000 will be obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with one offer received. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-19-D-4323). Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Tewksbury, Massachusetts, is awarded a $38,140,569 cost-plus-fixed fee, cost only contract for Dual Band Radar (DBR) Design Agent Technical Engineering support efforts. The work to be performed is for engineering services for DBR system upgrades or redesigns, engineering change proposals, product support, test equipment procurement, installation integration support, combat system integration testing, program management support, studies and analysis. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $98,839,761. Work will be performed in Tewksbury, Massachusetts (70 percent); Andover, Massachusetts (20 percent); Moorestown, New Jersey (5 percent); and Arvonia, Virginia (5 percent). Fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) in the amount of $1,737,000; and fiscal 2019 research, development, test, and evaluation funding in the amount of $800,000 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was procured using other than full and open competition under the statutory authority of 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) - only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-19-C-5509). DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, California, Maryland, has been awarded an estimated $143,863,184 firm-fixed-price requirements contract for performance based logistics and engineering support for the V-22 platform. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is an 11-month base contract with four one-year option periods. Locations of performance are Texas and Pennsylvania, with a Nov. 30, 2019, performance completion date. Using military services are Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2020 various Air Force, SOCOM and Navy appropriated funding. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE4AX-19-D-9410). ARMY AECOM Energy & Construction, Greenwood Village, Colorado, was awarded a $63,007,995 modification (P00003) to contract W912EK-19-C-0002 for Illinois River Basin, LaGrange Lock and Dam, major rehabilitation, demolition; temporary facilities, surveying, dewatering, protecting lock chamber, blasting, removing and replacing horizontal concrete. Work will be performed in Versailles, Illinois, with an estimated completion date of July 27, 2021. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance Army funds in the amount of $24,700,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island, Illinois, is the contracting activity. Odyssey International Inc.,* Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $14,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a company operations facility. Bids were solicited via the internet with eight received. Work will be performed in Fort Gordon, Georgia, with an estimated completion date of May 22, 2020. Fiscal 2015 and 2017 military construction funds in the amount of $14,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah, Georgia, is the contracting activity (W912HN-19-C-3000). Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was awarded an $8,048,749 modification (P00150) to contract W56HZV-15-C-0095 for test and field service support for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2019. Fiscal 2019 other procurement, Army funds in the amount of $8,048,749 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity. *Small Business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1736461/source/GovDelivery/

ARMY Talbert Manufacturing Inc.,* Rensselaer, Indiana, was awarded a $360,249,853 firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of M872A4 semitrailers and associated items. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 16, 2024. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W56HZV-19-D-0036). Stantec Consulting Services Inc., Raleigh, North Carolina, was awarded a $20,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architect-engineer general design services. Bids were solicited via the internet with 36 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 16, 2024. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah, Georgia, is the contracting activity (W912HN-19-D-2000). NAVY Fortis Nova A JV LLC,* Phoenix, Arizona (N62473-19-D-2426); Galindo Electric Inc.,* Vista, California (N62473-19-D-2427); Power Pro Plus Inc.,* Rancho Cucamonga, California (N62473-19-D-2428); Souza Construction Inc.,* Farmersville, California (N62473-19-D-2429); Synergy Electric Co. Inc.,* Santee, California (N62473-19-D-2430); and Tri-Technic Inc.,* Sonora, California (N62473-19-D-2431), are each awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award construction contract for new construction, renovation, and repair of dry utilities construction projects at various government installations located in California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. The maximum dollar value including the base period and one option period for all six contracts combined is $249,000,000. Types of projects may include, but are not limited to: electrical distribution systems, exterior lighting systems, controls, airfield lighting systems, communications and security systems, grounding systems, and alternative energy structures. These six contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contracts. No task orders are being issued at this time. All work on these contracts will be performed at various government installations within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest area of responsibility including, but not limited to, California (90 percent); Arizona (6 percent); Nevada (1 percent); Utah (1 percent); Colorado (1 percent), and New Mexico (1 percent). The terms of the contracts are not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of January 2024. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $35,000 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by military construction (Navy); operations and maintenance (Navy and Marine Corps); and Navy working capital funds. This contract was competitively procured as a small business set-aside procurement via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 14 proposals received. Naval Facilities Engineering CommandSouthwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Manassas, Virginia, was awarded a $77,758,481 cost-plus-incentive-fee, fixed-price-incentive, cost-only modification to previously awarded contract N00024-13-C-5225 for production of the Navy's AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 Surface Ship Undersea Warfare System (UWS). The AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 is the Surface Ship Undersea Warfare combat system with the capabilities to search, detect, classify, localize and track undersea contacts, and to engage and evade submarines, mine-like small objects and torpedo threats. The contract is for development, integration and production of future advanced capability build and technical insertion baselines of the AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 USW systems. Work will be performed in Lemont Furnace, Pennsylvania (54 percent); Clearwater, Florida (22 percent); Syracuse, New York (7 percent); Manassas, Virginia (6 percent); Hauppauge, New York (5 percent); Owego, New York (5 percent); Tewksbury, Massachusetts (1 percent), and is expected to be completed by May 2021. Fiscal 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy); fiscal 2019 other procurement (Navy); fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation; and Foreign Military Sales funding in the amount $77,187,872 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Jan. 16, 2019) DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY Oshkosh Defense LLC, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, has been awarded a maximum $37,659,687 modification (P00026) to a three-year base contract (SPE7LX-17-D-0077) with two one-year option periods adding eleven spare parts within the scope of the original contract. This modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $63,767,640. This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Location of performance is Wisconsin, with an Aug. 15, 2022, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2022 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio. Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC, West Hartford, Connecticut, has been awarded a maximum $7,953,750 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for bolt breech's. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Connecticut, with a Jan. 17, 2024, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2019 through 2024 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Warren, Michigan (SPRDL1-19-D-0001). AIR FORCE General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, California, has been awarded a $37,100,316 firm-fixed-price modification (P00001) to contract FA8620-18-F-2303 for fiscal 2017 aircraft production. The contract modification provides for the cut-in of force and vortex capabilities onto the existing FY17 aircraft production configuration. Work will be performed in Poway, California, and is expected to be completed by July 31, 2021. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal year 2017 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $37,100,316 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Jan. 16, 2019) Siemens Government Technologies, Arlington, Virginia, has been awarded a $24,586,803 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the reactivation and maintenance of Teamcenter software. This contract provides for the reactivation and maintenance of the Teamcenter software, as well as original equipment manufacturer support for the Air Force. Work will be performed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 17, 2024. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Funding will be obligated on the initial order of the IDIQ contract. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8770-19-D-0517). *Small Business https://dod.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1734769/source/GovDelivery/

By PAUL MCLEARY WASHINGTON The Marine Corps has kicked off a rapid development program to begin firing long-range anti-ship missiles from shore-based ground vehicles in an effort to add more punch to the Navy's growing anti-ship capabilities, which are aimed squarely at Chinese and Russian advances. Dubbed the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System — that's NEMSIS to you — the program has completed its design phase. For the missile itself, Marines are looking at Lockheed Martin's new Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), with stealthy features to penetrate enemy missile defenses, a 1,000-pound warhead, and a range disclosed only as “over 200 miles”; Raytheon's Naval Strike Missile (NSM) already chosen as an upgrade for Navy Littoral Combat Ships, with a 264-lb warhead and a 115-mile range; and Boeing's venerable Harpoon, whose variants have a 500-lb warhead and ranges between 70 and 150 miles. The program kicked off last year with a request for information (RFI), after which companies signed OTA agreements with the service in September. Final proposals were submitted in December. Full article: https://breakingdefense.com/2019/01/marines-want-missiles-to-sink-ships-from-shores-and-they-want-them-fast/

Le 16 janvier 2019 – Saint-Hubert (Québec) – Défense nationale/Forces armées canadiennes Comme le prévoit la politique de défense du Canada Protection, Sécurité, Engagement, le gouvernement investit dans l'infrastructure de la Défense afin de fournir à notre personnel militaire des installations modernes, fonctionnelles et écologiques dans lesquelles travailler et s'entraîner. Aujourd'hui, le ministre de la Défense Harjit S. Sajjan et le secrétaire parlementaire du ministre de la Défense Serge Cormier ont participé à la cérémonie d'inauguration du nouveau manège militaire à la garnison de Saint-Hubert. Ce projet, qui représente un investissement de 50 millions de dollars dans les infrastructures de la Force de réserve, a procuré des avantages économiques à la communauté locale et a permis la création de 230 emplois pendant la phase des travaux. L'installation centralisée d'une superficie de 8 824 m2 hébergera de multiples unités de la Réserve et sera aménagée de façon à fournir à notre personnel des locaux administratifs modernes, des salles de formation, un simulateur de tir, des aires d'entreposage pour les véhicules et l'équipement, des installations de mess communes et un gymnase. La rénovation d'un b'timent existant ainsi que la démolition d'un hangar désuet et vieillissant sont toujours en cours Citations « Dans le cadre de la politique Protection, Sécurité, Engagement, notre gouvernement augmente l'effectif de notre Force de réserve, modernise l'infrastructure de la Défense et soutient les futurs besoins opérationnels et d'instruction de notre personnel. Je suis fier de la construction du nouveau manège militaire à Saint Hubert, une installation moderne et écologique qui appuiera les futures réussites de la Force de réserve du Canada dans la région de la Rive Sud de Montréal. » Harjit S. Sajjan, ministre de la Défense « Cette nouvelle installation est un excellent exemple des investissements de la Défense nationale en matière d'infrastructure écologique dans l'ensemble du Canada. L'écologisation des infrastructures de la Défense nous aidera à consommer moins d'énergie et à réduire nos émissions de gaz à effet de serre et contribuera à créer un avenir plus propre, plus sain et plus abordable que nous serons fiers de laisser à nos enfants. » Serge Cormier, secrétaire parlementaire du ministre de la Défense nationale « La garnison Saint-Hubert fait partie intégrante de la communauté de la Rive‑Sud de Montréal. Ce type d'investissement dans l'infrastructure de la Défense offre des possibilités économiques pour la région et soutient nos réservistes en leur fournissant de nouvelles installations dans leurs communautés. » Sherry Romanado, Secrétaire parlementaire de la ministre des Aînés Faits en bref Les installations nouvelles et rénovées seront utilisées par un certain nombre d'unités de la Force de réserve, y compris Le Régiment de Maisonneuve, le 34e Bataillon des services, le 41e Peloton de police militaire et le Quartier général du 34e Groupe-brigade du Canada dans la grande région de Montréal. Un contrat de 25 millions de dollars a été attribué au Groupe Geyser Inc., basé à Laval, pour ce projet de construction. Le contrat de conception de 2,6 millions de dollars a été attribué à Birtz Bastien Beaudoin Laforest Architectes et Stantec. Le projet total d'une valeur de 50 millions de dollars comprend la construction, les frais de conception, la gestion des contrats, les communications, l'ameublement et l'aménagement paysager. Le nouveau manège militaire, dont les travaux de construction se sont achevés en décembre 2018, a été conçu en respectant les critères de la certification LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) de niveau « Argent ». Ce projet permettra à la Défense de réduire les émissions de gaz à effet de serre provenant de ses b'timents et de ses véhicules non militaires de 40 p. 100 (par rapport aux niveaux établis en 2005) d'ici 2030, et appuie le nouvel objectif fédéral de réduction des émissions de 80 p. 100 d'ici 2050. Liens connexes 2e Division du Canada - Québec 34e Groupe-brigade du Canada Stratégie énergétique et environnementale de la Défense https://www.canada.ca/fr/ministere-defense-nationale/nouvelles/2019/01/le-gouvernement-termine-la-construction-du-nouveau-manege-militaire-a-la-garnison-de-sainthubert.html