CASR

Defence
Budget & 
Procurement
Practices 


————
DND 
Press
Releases

————

-
Canadian
Defence Policy,
Foreign Policy,
& Canada-US
Relations

-

 

Return to
Documents

2007  -  DND
Documents

 

CASR Home

~   DND / Government  Press  Releases   ~


Search and Rescue  –  SAR Funding  –  GoC News Release  –  April 2012

New Funding for Search-and-Rescue  Prevention and Response
Government  News Releases can be mind-numbing for an average citizen to read, replete as they often are with bureaucratic language and ministerial self- congratulation. This SAR funding press release is no exception. With all the capacities built and  responses strengthened, the absense of content may escape a casual reader.

We are told that $8.1M is to be spent on various and sundry projects under the Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund of the National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS). But  SAR NIF is hardly new.  SAR NIF  has been running since 1988 and awards funds to SAR-related projects annually. SAR NIF's backgrounder tells us that "projects must address at  least  one of  the five  National  SAR Priorities".  These SAR Priorities differ very slightly from the National Search and Rescue Program (NSP) Strategic Directions.

Read CASR commentary on the annual SAR National Initiative Fund and FWSAR

DND Procurement  –  Helicopters and Disposals  –  June 2011

Sea King Disposal: Yet another Danish Example of Procurement
Hopefully non-DND news releases provide contrast with the usual fare of  PAffO-blat. This one is about disposal of  surplus assets  but also 'best practices' for procurement.

How Danish military disposals differ from Canadian is partly procedural but also about attitude. ADM (Mat) loves biz-admin jargon about Life Cycle Management but part of a life cycle is death and decay. For any CF replacement project, DND will first announce the lack of any remaining value in the old equipment due to be replaced.  Try selling a used car with that approach!

Read CASR commentary on S-61 Disposal and Danish procurement practices

Defence Budgets  –  Defence Cuts Example  –  April 2011

$1.3 B Cut from Defence  —  Bleak Future Plans from the Dutch
Another non-DND news release but one that should give pause to Canadians with an interest in military affairs. Canadians are in the habit of measuring economic prospects via GDP and public deficits. Staying to that comfortable path will result in a rosy inner glow when comparing our situation to that of the Dutch. Compare instead public debts or worse, the Dutch trade surplus versus our trade deficit may be cause for dyspepsia.

The 'wind down' of  the Canadian Forces'  combat mission  in Afghanistan brought out odd reactions from NDHQ planners. Some seemed to regard this war as an unwelcome interruption to their planning schedule. With combat coming to an end for CF troops, Ottawa planners could get back to the real job, that of preparing for less messy, largely hypothetical threat scenarios of  the future. The DND budget – which would no longer need to be squandered on actual fighting – had been increased and regular future rises in that budget were all  but guaranteed.  Happy days!  But now flies keep appearing in the ointment. The experience of the Dutch Ministerie van Defensie may be instructive.

Read CASR commentary on cuts to the Dutch Ministerie van Defensie budget

CF Armoured Vehicles  –  DND/CF 'Army News'  –  February 2011

Army Announces the Delivery of Upgraded Leopard 2A4M CANs
The Leopard 2A4M CANs represent a substantial improvement to used 'base' Leo 2A4s bought from the Netherlands for the Tank Replacement Project. This tank is a rebuild and a rather clever one at that. If anything, the Leopard 2A4M CAN better suits CF needs than original plans.

Where the Leopard 2A6M's turret add-on armour was designed specifically to counter Cold War tank fire threats, the Leopard 2A4M CAN's turret add-on armour is meant to thwart IED blasts.  Hull 'add-on' composite armour remains essentially the same as the Leopard 2A6M CAN. The obvious difference is in the reduced amount of slat armour.

Read CASR commentary on the Leopard 2A4M CAN and the Army News article

Small Arm Weapons  –  C8 IURs as the Danish Army's new M/10  –  May 2010

New Canadian-Made Rifles for the Danish Army – C8 IUR M/10
Another non-DND news release but with a Canadian connection. Denmark announced that it has bought 5,000 new rifles for its military. The Colt Canada C8 IUR rifle is a new variant of the Canadian Forces' C7/C8 family. In Danish service, it will be the M/10 rifle.

Such sales are good news for Colt Canada but we are more interested in how this news  was handled  by Danish military authorities. Danish defence planning and acquisitions are done in the open. That's a lesson for DND's Director General ADM (Public Affairs).

Read CASR commentary on the C8 IUR and the text of the M/10 press release

Armoured Vehicles  –  Danish CV9035s for Afghanistan  –  February 2010

Heavier Armour for Helmand: Danish Army Heat-Trials its CV90
Not a DND news release but its Danish equivalent, this item is included to contrast the openess of difficulties encountered and problems addressed.  Also noteable is the use of economic and political allies to the country's best advantage. Does Canada do that?

The Danish military's Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization has made arrangements to test the Danish Army's new CV9035 DK IFV under simulated Afghan conditions. By doing their klimatest in South Africa, the Danes took advantage of  the summer heat in the Southern Hemisphere while deploying  their  operational CV9035s into Helmand Province during winter.

Read CASR commentary and the text of the Danish HOK press release

New Surveillance Aircraft – Canada in Afghanistan – December 2009

Intelligence, Surveillance, & Reconnaissance:  New ISR Aircraft
 The US DoD has announced a contract through the US Army  for two  Canadian-supplied  King Air 300s to be modified as ISR aircraft for use in Afghanistan. With no other information released,  questions arise: Are these to be Canadian Forces aircraft?  If so, why deploy as the CF combat duties end?  Or will 'ownership' of new ISR assets be murkier?

Read CASR commentary and the text of the DoD contract press release

Arctic Rescue – Aerial Search and Rescue – FWSAR – November 2009

SAR Techs Shine in Ice Floe Rescue  but  Questions also Raised
The dramatic rescue of  17 year old  Inuit hunter, Jupi Angootealuk, has drawn public attention to the aerial search and rescue capabilities of the Canadian Forces once again. The press release from 17 Wing Winnipeg rightly celebrates the achievement of  its SAR Techs. No one questions the skill or bravery of people willing to parachute onto ice floes to effect a rescue. But there are still questions. A leased civil aircraft was the first on the scene.  So why does DND insist on southern bases for FWSAR?

Read CASR commentary and the text of a 17 Wing press release

DND Vehicle Procurement Projects – Auditor General's Report – November 2009

Acquiring Military Vehicles for Use in Afghanistan – Leopard 2s

DND's Tank Replacement Project is now running 2 years behind schedule. No ex- Dutch Leopards upgraded to full 2A6M standard is likely to see Afghan service. Those tanks will  now be refurbished  in Germany, brought up to full Leo 2A6M standards, and  transferred to the Bundeswehr.

Read CASR commentary and a summary of the OAG report on tanks

CCV Armoured Vehicles  –  Tactical Requirements  –  October 2009

CCV:  Close Combat Vehicle — Details of Tactical Requirements

David Pugliese published requirements for the Close Combat Vehicle project. It begins by describing current LAV's "deficiencies", then describes a 24-hour tactical mission as planned for CCVs. Why an official  briefing denigrates another  DND project  to justify the CCV is unknown. Is it PMO squabbling at NDHQ? Or is there a doctrinal war brewing at the Directorate of Land Requirements?

Read CASR commentary on Tactical Requirements for the CCV

Coastal Patrol – Canadian Coast Guard – CCG Procurement – 03 September 2009

Contract for  Canadian Coast Guard   Mid-Shore Patrol Vessels

DFO has announced the decision on their much-delayed  Mid-Shore Patrol Vessel project. The contract has been awarded to Irving Shipbuilding Inc of Halifax in the amount of  $194M.  Nine MSVPs  are  to  be delivered  between 2011 and 2013 – compared with the 12 MSPVs originally announced.   Irving will  build all  nine of  the new MSPVs in Atlantic Canada  ( likely in Halifax ).

Read CASR commentary on the MSPV and the DFO press release

CCV Armoured Vehicles  –  DND/CF Backgrounder  –  July 2009

CCV  —  Future Land Combat Systems'  Close Combat Vehicle

This DND Backgrounder outline the CCV, a planned infantry fighting vehicle. The CF already has IFVs (the LAV IIIs) but the CCVs are to be "medium-weight" vehicles with more armour protection (ie: larger & heavier) and tactical mobility (ie: tracked vehicles).

We have covered major CCV candidates mentioned  publicly elsewhere. The only details here are: 108 of the 25 to 45-tonne CCVs (with options on 30 more) are to be bought. The timeline is: a contract award mid-2011, IOC July 2012, fully operational by July 2015, with a  lifetime ISS contract.

Read CASR commentary on the CCV Close Combat Vehicle Project

FME: Leopard 2 AEV & ARV  –  DND/CF Backgrounder  –  July 2009

Force Mobility Enhancement Project  –  Leopard 2 AEV and ARV

This Backgrounder outlines the Force Mobility Enhancement Project for CF Leopard 2 vehicles. The FME covers engineering attachments for the tanks themselves  –  mine ploughs and rollers, and bulldozer blades  –  plus new engineering / support vehicles.

An FME order would include 13 Armoured Engineering Vehicles (replacements for the Badger), two Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARVs) to replace the Taurus , plus 29 sets of new mine ploughs, rollers, and bulldozer blades for the Leopard 2s. The FME would also hold options on another 5 AEVs (18 in total ), 2 ARVs (6 in total including existing 2), and 30 more implement sets (59 in total).

Read CASR commentary on the Force Mobility Enhancement Project

TAPV Armoured Vehicles  –  DND/CF Backgrounder  –  July 2009

TAPV  –  Future Land Combat  Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle

This Backgrounder details the LAV III upgrade. This will not be the expected  LAV-H purchase. Instead, it will be a straightforward  upgrade for some of  the surviving LAV IIIs.  The upgraded LAV III may incorporate features of  the LAV-H prototype though.

This Backgrounder covers the new TAPV  'family' of vehicles. Based on a common chassis, TAPV is still a confusing category. Most available vehicles would seem either ill-suited  to the reconnaissance role or too cramped for the more numerous general utility role. All that is known for sure is that TAPV would replace both the Coyotes and  RG-31 APVs.

Read CASR commentary on the planned TAPV recce/utility purchase

LAV III Armoured Vehicles  –  DND/CF Backgrounder  –  July 2009

LAV 'Re-Set'  –  The Light Armoured Vehicle III Upgrade Project

This Backgrounder details the LAV III upgrade. This will not be the expected  LAV-H purchase. Instead, it will be a straightforward  upgrade for some of  the surviving LAV IIIs.  The upgraded LAV III may incorporate features of  the LAV-H prototype though.

So what are those likely upgrade features going to look like?  It is possible that weapons upgrades will make a dramatic difference in appearance, with RWS-mounted weapon size determined by roles. Mission-adaptive compartments may speed LAV III role changes.

Read CASR commentary on the planned LAV III Upgrade Project

MEUF  –  Leased Aircraft  –  MERX NPP / Contract Award  –  June 2009

Ministerial Announcement of a "New" Multi-Engine Utility Flight

This is a simple press release issued by 8 Wing, CFB Trenton  to announce the existence of a new Multi-Engine Utility Flight (MEUF). This MEUF has already formed and consists of two contractor- owned King Air B200  light transports.

The name Multi-Engine Utility Flight works against the actual mission of  these leased aircraft. No doubt, the occassional Air Force member will catch a ride from one base to another. Ditto for the odd spare part. The rest of the time, as the MND makes clear, the MEUF will be used to practice  IFR flying without the expense of  using the Air Force's actual fleet. Why weren't Canada's citizenry just told this in a straightforward manner ?

Read CASR commentary on 8 Wing, CFB Trenton's MEUF News Release

Small UAV for Afghanistan  –  Government News Release  –  April 2009

Small UAV System —  'Turnkey' Lease Contract and Background

As expected the NPP/RFP for SUAV (Small UAV) services in Afghanistan has resulted in a lease of Boeing-Insitu ScanEagles –  the 'air vehicle' type already  in theatre as  interim SUAVs. Neither the Government Backgrounder on the SUAV service contract or the  News Release  give details on the ScanEagle system. The Insitu approach  to UAV operation is highly creative. That is of no interest to our Federal Ministers, however ...

Read CASR commentary on SUAV, Government News Release and Background

Coastal Patrol – Canadian Coast Guard – CCG Procurement – February 2009

The CCG's On-Again, Off-Again MSPV Mid-Shore Patrol Vessels

The MSPV is back. To fit the budget, performance is down and companion  Off-Shore Fisheries Research Vessels nowhere to be found. Neither PWGSC press release nor NPP make any mention of the actual cost of  MSPVs.  PWGSC does make much of  IRBs while the NPP invokes a National Security Exception. Odd emphases for ships that were to be made-in-Canada.

Read CASR commentary on the MSPV and PWGSC press release and MSPV NPP

Senior CF Promotions & Appointments  –  DND Press Release  –  January 2009

Canadian Forces Senior Promotions and Appointments

The release of  DND press releases often seem timed  to be out of sync with the news cycle, ie: when they are least likely to be noticed. The technique is common enough when a government department has to dish out contentious material.  However, the Minister of  National  Defence announcing the promotions and appointments for senior  Canadian Forces  officers at  the same time as a Federal Budget verges on the bizarre.  Does the MND regard some or all of  the appointments as being controversial? On the surface, there doesn't appear to be anything alarming or embarassing.  So why the peculiar timing of  this press release?

Read CASR commentary on CF appointments and an MND / DND press release

Canadian Forces Maritime Helicopter Project  – News Release  – December 2008

Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone — Delays and Contract Adjustments

Canadian Press is reporting that CH-148 Cyclone which were to enter service in November 2008, are now  likely  to arrive two years later. Negotiations with the major contractor,  Sikorsky, are complete. The   Government of  Canada  has agreed  to  pay an additional $117M. The first new helicopter will be delivered to Shearwater for familiarization and flight training.  But the CF CH-148 Cyclone fleet will not be fully operational until 2013.

Read CASR commentary on Cyclone delays and a PWGSC/DND press release

Canadian Forces Afghanistan  –  CH-146 Griffon  –  21 December 2008

CH-146 Griffons Heading to Kandahar – DND/CF News Release

The Department of National Defence has issued a brief statement announcing that  the first  two (at least) CF  CH-146 Griffon  utility  helicopters meant for Afghanistan will soon  be on the way to Kandahar.  Griffons, from 438  THS ( Tactical Helicopter Squadron) St-Hubert, Quebec began arriving at  Montréal-Mirabel Airport on 13 Dec 2008. Upon arrival, Air Force  Aviation Systems Technicians began stripping main  rotor blades.

Read CASR commentary on CH-146 Griffon to Kandahar and DND press release

Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans  –  June/August 2008

Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans Report on
the Canadian Coast Guard, Icebreakers, and Arctic Sovereignty

In June 2008, the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and  Oceans issued its Fourth Report on the current state of  the Canadian Coast Guard and  its readiness to ensure Canada's Arctic sovereignty. This interim report has been summarized in a news release  (below). Recommendations include:  affirming  the Northwest Passage as a  Canadian internal waterway (with a stronger, year-round presence), develop a strategic vision for the CCG – including recruit- ing Inuit,  building  new  polar class icebreakers, having a common standard for all vessels using Arctic waters, and completing needed harbour facilities in Nunavut (seven port locations were identified).

Read CASR commentary on Report, Senate news release, and PM Backgrounder

Canada First  Defence Strategy – Government/DND Document – 18 June 2008

News Release  –  CANADA   FIRST   DEFENCE   STRATEGY
Read html format (pdf original) Canada First Defence Strategy press release

C-130J Hercules Purchase  –  Government News Release  –  January 2008

C-130J Hercules Purchase: News Release/ACP-T Backgrounder
On  16 January 2008,  the  Government of  Canada announced an order for 17 C-130J Hercules aircraft  to satisfy the drawn-out  Airlift Capability Project - Tactical project. Lockheed Martin  will receive about $1.44 Billion for  this purchase of  new 'J- model Hercules tactical transport aircraft.  It was later revealed that almost all benefits from the separate  in-service support contract would go to LM and its US-based suppliers.

Read CASR commentary, GoC press releases, and PWGSC Backgrounder

  Advertise  on  CASR  
 Contact: CASR   Promotions