The RCAF has a clear preference for the Boeing P-8A Poseidon as a replacement for its legacy Lockheed Martin CP-140 Aurora surveillance fleet but Montreal-based Bombardier Aviation was a “fair competition” for the as yet-unfunded program. “They claim they have the best aircraft, so I’m sure they're not afraid to go into competition,” says Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Bombardier's executive VP for aircraft sales and defence. [node:read-more:link]
Today Seaspan Shipyards announced it has cut steel to build a ‘Prototype Block’ and marking a critical step in its Polar Icebreaker Program. Seaspan is designing and building the first heavy Polar Icebreaker in Canada in more than 60 years. Lessons learned from building the Prototype Block will help improve the quality and efficiency of the process when production of the vessel begins in late 2024. [node:read-more:link]
Using both indoor and outdoor booths at CANSEC, Rheinmetall is showcasing its latest and most innovative advancements including water treatment, new fabrics, satellite communications. land Vehicle crew training, strategic fires and effects information, night vision system modernization and heavy equipment replacement. [node:read-more:link]
Thales Canada joins partner companies Vard Marine, Heddle Shipyards, SH Defense, and Fincantieri S.p.A in launching the Vigilance Class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV). [node:read-more:link]
CAE Defense & Security has been awarded a contract from General Dynamics Information Technology to support Flight School Training Support Services at Fort Novosel, Alabama. [node:read-more:link]
Eighteen Leopard 2A6s donated to Ukraine by Germany are to be replaced with new 2A8 models, in a €525-million contract with Krauss-Maffei Wegmann. There also is an option for 105 more which would push the total cost to some €2.9 statement. Germany currently has 321 Leopards in service as well as others in storage. [node:read-more:link]
The Government Accountability has highlighted more issues with the U.S. Air Force’s planned procurement of new T-7A Red Hawk advanced jet trainers being developed by Boeing and Saab. It cites safety issues, scheduling and testing delays and the potential for further slippage in a program already a decade later than the USAF had expected. [node:read-more:link]
In what it says is an attempt to avoid mistakes in programs such as the Lockheed Martin F-35, the U.S. Air Force plans to ensure it has access to all the follow-on data it needs from contractors as it works on its Next Generation Air Dominance platform. Otherwise, says Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, “what that basically does is create a perpetual monopoly […] so we’re not going to do that with NGAD.” [node:read-more:link]
A 33-tonne propellor shaft misaligned by no more than a millimetre took Britain’s newest aircraft carrier, the £3-billion HMS Prince of Wales, out of service after only one day in August 2022. Now the Royal Navy is trying to figure out liability for the massive repair bill, an exercise complicated by the fact that the ship was built by a now defunct consortium [node:read-more:link]
Australia’s national auditor has delivered a highly critical report on the selection of the country’s newest warship, the Type 26 Global Combat Ship. It says “management of this procurement and related advisory processes […] lacked a value for money focus” and transparency in choosing the BAE Systems design over two competitors. [node:read-more:link]
The current National Shipbuilding Strategy is not sustainable. Money is being pumped in, but how much is coming out? There does not appear to be a 'Plan B' to mitigate the risk to the Navy’s basic viability. [node:read-more:link]
The RCAF says delivery of two Airbus A-330 transports, purchased for US$102 million from Kuwait Airways, has been delayed. They were expected last winter but one recently was still operating from Kuwait. The delay is likely due to supply chain issues such as repainting the aircraft, which will be done in France. [node:read-more:link]
As Turkey prepares for presidential and parliamentary elections May 14, the NATO member’s indigenous defence industry has taken centre stage in a polarized campaign. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the islamist incumbent, hoping to capitalize on the industry’s impact on a fragile economy, has accused opponents of planning to undo two decades of nationalization. [node:read-more:link]
The CEO of Turkish Aerospace Industries expects the unit cost of the country’s homegrown TF-X Kaan (Ruler) fighter “could be a little bit higher” than the $US100 million he estimated a year ago. Temel Kotin offered no explanation for the change. The aircraft’s maiden flight is currently scheduled for 2026. [node:read-more:link]
The United Arab Emirates has cancelled a nearly €800-million contract to buy 12 Airbus H225 Caracal multirole helicopters. “The company lacked the serious motivation to respond to our demands in order to meet the pressing requirements of the government,” a UAE official explained. “Failure to achieve in-country value goals was another factor.” [node:read-more:link]
