Noah's week in defence (1/27/25): Land Cruisers, UAS on the AOPV, and LRPF Rumors
I promised a newsletter, and I shall deliver a newsletter.
As part of my efforts to broaden the horizon, and fill the content schedule, I have finally decided to take the often requested leap of doing a weekly newsletter to cover the variety of news, rumors and project updates that come across my desk.
This is something I've wanted to do for a while. I've had many people tell me that I'm their primary source of news on Canadian defence. I certainly don't know how that happened, but I take that to heart and want to provide something actually useful to people.
The fact is, Twitter is not a good place to do that. It is clustered, limited and often times things get lost in the shuffle. So instead, I'm going to be taking all that info, once a week, and compiling it here for your viewing pleasure.
I'm not set on the format exactly, and I will be more than willing to take some constructive criticism on that subject. Anyways, I won't bore you anymore. You're here for info, and juicy gossip, you little diva you.
News
First off, congratulations to the Canadian Coast Guard on celebrating it's 63rd birthday yesterday! Be sure to send them lots of love!
For those in the community, Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) will be hosting a free webinar on Jan 30th: Dollars and Sense: Mastering Money with Jessica Moorehouse.
Canada and Poland have signed an General Security of Information Agreement (GSI&A) in regards to National Security and Defence. This will help promote greater levels of military cooperation and interoperability, while ensuring that Canada maintains the highest standards of security to protect sensitive Government of Canada information entrusted to contractors and governments across the world.
Landing Zones Canada Unveils World's First Balloon-Launched Eagle Advanced Payload Delivery System. I first saw this one last year, and have been mightily impressed by the work the team at LZC has done in their short time.
The International Test Pilots School (ITPS Canada) unveils new changes in leadership as Dave ‘Loshy’ Lohse, previously the Vice President of Flight Test take over the reins as new Chief Executive Officer.
SkyAlyne & KF Aerospace continue to build up their roster as part of the RCAFs FaCT initiative as they announce two new contracts as part of their inventory buildup. This includes three Dash 8-400 & seven Beechcraft King Air 260 aircraft. This follows up previous orders for nineteen H135 helicopters, twenty-three Grob G 120TP, and nineteen Pilatus PC-21. The 25-year FaCT initiative was awarded to SkyAlyne last year for 11.2 billion dollars.
CAF updates entry medical standards to aid recruitment efforts. A very welcomed change in my opinion, and one that is long coming.
General Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff says the next Prime Minister must prioritize military investment and the nation’s territorial integrity. The General ha been on a media blitz this week, speaking on the border, investment and Canada's 2% commitments.
Minister of Defence Bill Blair has also been in the media this week, speaking about the potential of speeding up Canada's timeline to 2%, now claiming that this could be achieved in as little as two years. This is a radical shift in plans, and highlights just how much the current Trump administration has pressured the government on spending results.
As always I stand that any massive increases need to come with reform, but this talk is very welcomed. We need to make sure that the DND can spend the money it gets efficiently and effectively, and that means massive and difficult reforms.
However there are still places, such as in infurstructure, benefits and mantinence where such extra funding can find a great home as we develop that new procurement system. Time will tell if this appears in this years budget.
Project Updates
A new RFI has dropped! The RCN is looking to acquire four Class-I UAS, with an option for two more, for their fleet of AOPS. These will provide the AOPS with a new ISR capability seperate from the RCNs ISTAR project. These VTOL UAS must have a maximum take-off weight of less than 25kg, have a flight endurance of at least 2.5 hours, and have a range of at least 50km. The RFI closed April 2nd.
Rumors & Speculation
This section will be a bit different. As many know, I am not an insider. I don't like to treat myself as one, but that doesn't mean I don't get info and hear rumors around. As such, and because I'm asked often, I've decided to include this as a section, at least when I deem I have enough sufficient info to warrant it.
As I spoke about back in October, which I will proudly say I was the first here at least, the SPIKE missile delay has been resolved and is now back on schedule. There was great concern here that the delays might see the contract delayed or cancelled, but a solution has been applied, and the PAXM project is expected to continue along its original timeline.
It's been almost two years since LRPF has dropped its RFI, and while it was supposed to drop another late last year, that didn't end up happening. Why? Well the project has seen an overhaul that has delayed the process. The original numbers given, a single battalion (9-12 systems) has now been doubled to two battalions (20-26 systems) and will focus on acquiring a light, single pod system.
This effectively eliminates two of the three major systems expected for the competition, Chunmoo and EUROPULS, essentially making this a HIMARS project. The army hopes to have IOC in 2030, with plans to also acquire PRSM. This isn't set yet, but it seems unlikely there will be a pivot.
Speaking of artillery, IFM has released some new timelines, and the new IOC date is expected to be 2032. The Howitzer UOR, which would have seen ~20 self-propelled howitzers acquired for EFP Latvia remains unfunded and is likely dead.
The Canadian Army has acquired its first Loitering Munitions! Plans are in place, as part of the unannounced LM-UOR, to acquire Switchblade Loitering Munitions for EFP Latvia. I don't have a timeline yet, but it seems a done deal.
Speaking of Loitering Munitions there is now a seperate project for the remainder of the army. I have no timeline here but it's in the early stages.
Chantier Davies is ramping up as part of the Canadian Multi-Mission Corvette project. The shipyard has been in contact with multiple designers in both Europe and Asia about potential designs to pitch as part of the project. While Irving had the combat package for NSS there is an expectation that they won't be able to fulfill this, and another shipyard will have to be chosen.
Zetros fans rejoice! There are rumors that the first deliveries might be well ahead of schedule!
I don't know fully if I like this format. It will yet to be seen. I'm hoping to drop these every Monday, that is my long-term goal. If you enjoy these, please let me know! I want to make these somewhat nice and well looking, so if you have any suggestion there, for my creatively bankrupt brain, I would be more than happy to hear it!
I think that is a pretty good format for providing a weekly update on defence news. Appreciate the effort you put into this endeavour.
Chantier Davies + Damen SIGMA = CMMC ?????
Chantier Davies + Saab Kockums Luleå = CMMC???? (I'd assume it would come flat packed and we assemble ourselves with an Allen Key)