Noah's Week in Defence (2/17/25): Switchblades to Latvia, IFM RFI and a new Cyber Security Strategy

Plus some new photos of Margaret Brooke in South America!

Happy Monday everyone! Apologies for the lack of newsletter last week. It was a very slow week, with little happening and also super busy for me, so I decided to skip, but we’re back this week!

Take a break from life and look at all the news we have this week!

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News

• Following up from a few weeks ago. Minister Bill Blair officially confirmed yesterday that Canada would acquire Switchblade 300 & 600 Loitering Munitions to help bolster EFP Latvia. This follows up my previous reporting that this purchase had been made.

• Speaking of news, CAE has been officially named as the Strategic Partner for the FFLIT program! FFLIT will provide the RCAF a modern, advanced training capability, including new jet trainers. This follows up CAEs awarding of FaCT, under the Skyalyne banner, cementing them as Canada's exclusive air force trainer. We now enter the Co-Developement phase, where CAE and the RCAF will develop the future advanced training program

• At the same time, CAE has also announced changes to their board

• The Commanding Officer of His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Ottawa has been relieved of his duties due to a loss of confidence, according to the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN).

• The Chief of the Defence Staff, Jennie Carignan recently revealed more General/Flag Officer promotions, appointments and releases coming off of 2024!

• CTV is reporting that Canada and the Philippines are in the final stages of negotiating a key defence pact

• Canada's National Cyber Security Strategy has been released! This long-awaited strategy has been in the works forever, so I'm happy to see it out finally.

• Seaspan is proud to announce a $2.5 million investment to create new skills training and apprenticeship opportunities for Indigenous People in Greater Vancouver who want to pursue a career in the marine industry.

• The Honourable Terry Duguid, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), announced federal investments totaling $180 million for the Calgary Airport Authority to construct, fit out and equip a new 150,000 square foot aircraft engine maintenance and test facility at the Calgary International Airport (YYC).

• From February 17 to 28, 40 members of the Canadian Army’s 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (2 CMBG) will join 850 Finnish and United States (US) military personnel on Exercise ARCTIC FORGE 25 in Sodankylä, Finland to further strengthen our ability to operate with our Arctic allies.

• Tjorven Bellmann, the German ambassador to Canada has confirmed to Globe & Mail that Germany and Norway are willing to offer slots for Canada to receive submarines earlier if we pursue the Type-212CD. This follows my earlier reporting of the possibility, though honestly is it a surprise. There is also some good words from Topshee here that you should listen to.

• On February 5, 2025, Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt advanced its naval infrastructure modernization with the official inauguration of the new B Jetty. The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness, presided over the ceremony, representing the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, and Quebec Lieutenant.

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Project Updates

• A new RFI for the Indirect Fires Modernization project has been released! I wasn't expecting this for a while. This new RFI lays out Canada's future artillery requirements, including a mix fleet of Self-Propelled 155mm howitzers, LAV-mlunted 120mm Mortars and mounted 82mm Mortars.

• Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) has released a new Solicitation of Offers to obtain support in the design, development, implementation and testing of augmented reality (AR) technologies for soldier systems

• The Department of Department Of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has released a new NPP for the procurement of five Hydrographic Survey Vessels.

• Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) is issuing this Call for Proposals (CFP) on behalf of the Department of National Defence’s (DND) Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program, seeking innovative science and technology (S&T) solutions for their Stay connected - Seamless transitions between mobile broadband networks competition

• They're also looking for solutions for their Extended communication coverage - Exploiting connections of earth and space systems competition!

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Rumors & Speculation

There isn't much for this section this week, honestly. I have a few things I wanted but I'm waiting for people to get back to me, sorry! Instead, here's some new photos of HMCS Margaret Brooke as she continues her journey to Antarctica! She recently made port calls in Brazil and Argentina. You can really get a scale for her size when she's with the MEKO 360 based ARA Almirante Brown!