A major maritime patrol requirement was slowly progressing through the Definition phase, potentially heading toward Implementation, and most insiders believed there was only one real contender to replace the 40-year-old Aurora aircraft. Could Canada's Bombardier muscle in on a major defence procurement without a working prototype? Why not? It's been tried before, but with decidedly limited success.
Nov 08
(TIM DUNNE)
In 2019, Bill C-77 received Royal Assent to remove detention from the list of punishments that can be awarded in the Canadian military, but the practice continues due in part to JAG delay, forcing the Canadian Forces Detention Barracks and Service Prison to continue to be staffed – at a cost to the Canadian taxpayer of $2.2 million each year.
Oct 13
(CBC)
Major-General Dany Fortin has reached an undisclosed settlement in his $6-million lawsuit against the government and the Chief of the Defence Staff over his abrupt dismissal from running the government’s coronavirus vaccination program in May 2021.Under investigation at the time for an alleged assault while a student in 1988, he was acquitted last December.
Sep 14
(ALAN WILLIAMS)
Former ADM (materiel), Alan Williams, takes a critical look at the Canadian Surface Combatant procurement from the taxpayer's perspective. Comparing costs and quotes on similar projects from other countries, he finds that Canadian taxpayers are paying 2-3 times more for the CSC ships under the project management of Irving Shipbuilding.
Nov 30
(Ken Pole)
The federal government confirmed today that it has arranged to procure at least 14 Boeing P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft through an arrangement with the U.S. government
Nov 30
(CP)
The federal government confirmed today that it plans to procure at least 14 Boeing P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft to replace its Lockheed CP140s through a government-to-government agreement with the U.S. The CP-140s are a 1950s design which entered service with the RCAF in 1982 and is now scheduled for retirement in 2030. The RCAF has consistently defended the Boeing platform as the only currently available option with delivery expected to start in 2026.
Nov 29
(Ken Pole)
The House of Commons defence committee has called on the government to pretty well overhaul military health services in their entirety, including a core recommendation that the Canadian Forces Health Services funding model be updated to address surging demand against a backdrop of flagging recruitment
Nov 27
(Ken Pole)
Echoing a call by a former Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, the House of Commons defence committee has recommended that the government revisit a plan to sole-source new surveillance aircraft.
 Babcock Canada Inc |
 Collins Aerospace |
 Beretta Defense Technologies / Stoeger Canada |
22 November 2023 –
A major maritime patrol requirement was slowly progressing through the Definition phase, potentially heading toward Implementation, and most insiders believed there was only one real contender to replace the 40-year-old Aurora aircraft. Could Canada's Bombardier muscle in on a major defence procurement without a working prototype? Why not? It's been tried before, but with decidedly limited success.
8 November 2023 –
In 2019, Bill C-77 received Royal Assent to remove detention from the list of punishments that can be awarded in the Canadian military, but the practice continues due in part to JAG delay, forcing the Canadian Forces Detention Barracks and Service Prison to continue to be staffed – at a cost to the Canadian taxpayer of $2.2 million each year.
18 June 2023 –
Politicians, scholars and commentators have sought to explain or justify the apparent delinquency in Canada’s defence effort over the years. It remains unclear whether or how much the promised new defence policy update will address the matter of NATO's 2% minimum defence spending commitment.
18 June 2023 –
Former head of defence procurement at Canada's Department of National Defence, made the following remarks at the Standing Committee of National Defence hearing on 16 June 2023. He says the capital costs of Canada’s new fighter jets and surface combatant ships will exceed $100 billion dollars over a 10-year period, and could effectively bankrupt the Canadian Armed Forces unless new monies are injected.
30 November 2023
(CP)
The federal government confirmed today that it plans to procure at least 14 Boeing P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft to replace its Lockheed CP140s through a government-to-government agreement with the U.S. The CP-140s are a 1950s design which entered service with the RCAF in 1982 and is now scheduled for retirement in 2030. The RCAF has consistently defended the Boeing platform as the only currently available option with delivery expected to start in 2026.
29 November 2023
(Roll Call)
A U.S. commission created in October 2000 to scrutinize economic and security relations with China is urging a more cohesive approach to curbing the outflow of dual-use technology that can be readily transferred by commercial importers to the military.
29 November 2023
(Politico)
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström said today that Turkey has promised to ratify his country’s bid to join NATO “within weeks.” He said his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, had told him of the forthcoming support, which would leave only Hungary as the sole NATO member blocking unanimous approval by the alliance.
29 November 2023
(Reuters)
Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, the Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, says understaffing and stretched resources have left the RCN in “a critical state” which could compromise operations. “The situation is serious,” he says in a social media message to personnel. “But our problems are not unique and I know that the air force and army are facing similar challenges.”
29 November 2023
(Al Jazeera)
NATO states showing some reluctance to continue backing Ukraine’s battle against Russia are being urged by Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to stand firm. “This is also about our security interests,” he pointed out during a meeting of alliance foreign November 29.
28 November 2023
(Defence News)
Florida-based L3Harris Technologies, which has a long-standing relationship supplying surveillance technology to the Canadian military, announced November 27 that it will sell its commercial aviation business to a New York private-equity firm. Contingent on regulatory approval, it would enable the company to focus more on national security and technology while paying down debt.
28 November 2023
(Defense One)
A year into efforts to boost production of 155mm artillery rounds for Ukraine, the U.S. and EU states are seeing radically different results. U.S. output has increased faster than forecast while European output has been slowed by the consensus-focused nature of NATO and the EU.
28 November 2023
(Reuters)
Iran’s deputy defence minister, Mehdi Farahi, said today that his country has finalised negotiations for delivery of Russian Su-35 fighters, Yak-130 jet trainers and Mi-28 attack helicopters.
27 November 2023
(Defense News)
A planned $5-billion RCAF procurement of General Atomics MQ-9B Reaper armed drones for Arctic deployment has been delayed until at least 2028. DND cites a need for “significant development work” on links to aerial and orbital communications as well as training
26 November 2023
(CP)
A coronavirus outbreak aboard HMCS Harry DeWolf has forced the Navy to cut short its publicity tour of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway and return it to its Halifax homeport.
