This Week in Defence (02/16/26): DIS Update, TKMS Agreements, News From Europe, CMAR Contract, Chunmoo

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Happy Monday Everyone!

Another week, another trip. As a reminder I will be travelling to Hamilton from Tuesday to Thursday for an event. We have the DIS releasing tomorrow! The embargo is planned to end about 10:00AM EST, so look out for our breakdown then. I myself will be on a bus, so I will miss the initial action.

Anyways it's newsletter time!

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News

• Read up on the latest edition of CanadaxEurope!

• Also CanadaxIndo-Pacific, which is a thing! How cool is that!

• The latest edition of Steffan Watkins RCN Media and Public Awareness Update is up!

• Let's Talk with Noah (02/10/26): P8, Leasing Sealift, Canadian-French Fighter?

• Yes, We Are Getting More Than 16 F-35

• Ombudsman Releases Report ​Marking Time: A Decade of Stalled Progress for Ill and Injured Primary Reserve Force Members

• TKMS and Magellan Sign Teaming Agreement to Support Heavyweight Torpedo Production and In-Service Support for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project

• Updating TNSR

• Minister Champagne will travel to Brussels to deepen economic and security ties with European counterparts and private sector partners

• The Kingdom strengthens defense cooperation with Canada

• Minister McGuinty advances Canada’s defence priorities with Allies and partners in Europe

• Canada to release Defence Industrial Strategy on Tuesday (plus the original plans for the week)

• On Another Trip

• SkyAlyne signs multi-year contract with WAMBDI Technologies for corporate IM/IT services

• Message from your new Deputy Minister

• Prime Minister Carney to strengthen Canada’s security and defence partnerships at the Munich Security Conference

• Quebec’s Minister of International Relations visits Hanwha Ocean to explore industrial cooperation opportunities related to the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project

• Bombardier Acquires Velocity Maintenance Solutions and Expands its Top-Ranked Service Network

• Bombardier Announces Major Challenger 3500 Order From Longtime Customer Vista

• Davie Defense Awarded U.S. Coast Guard Contract to Build Five Arctic Security Cutters

• BMO Joins Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) Development Group

• Modest Tree Awarded $32M Contract by Fleetway Inc. for River-Class Destroyer Training

• Canadian Armed Forces training group and Seneca Polytechnic to collaborate on AI initiatives

• OSI Launches Collision Avoidance Decision Aid (CADA)

• Irving Shipbuilding Awards Metals Supply Contract to Russel Metals, Supporting Jobs and Communities in Nova Scotia

• Telesat Government Solutions Awarded Position on Missile Defense Agency SHIELD IDIQ Contract

• Dalhousie signs MOU to join TKMS-led innovation ecosystem focused on Canadian and Arctic sovereignty

• Seaspan’s floating drydock to depart for planned upgrades in 2026

• Japan–Canada Defense Ministerial Meeting

• Minister Anand meets with Germany’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs

• Canada bets on ‘Build at Home’ defence strategy to reclaim sovereignty — and revive readiness

• Are Canada’s Defence Priorities Still on Track?

• From neighbour to nation: why Canada must rethink defence

• Province throws support behind private sector bid to bring NATO bank to Vancouver

• GHD wins 2 Canadian defence contracts worth up to $315 million to support DND

• Mapping the data that quietly threatens Canada’s national security

• Bell AI Fabric and SAP Canada to strengthen Canada’s digital sovereignty

• No, Canada should not try to get the bomb

• Saab steps up Gripen pitch to Canada, sharing detailed data as Ottawa weighs dual fighter fleet

• Quebec political, business leaders backing Montreal’s bid to host NATO defence bank

• New Defence Investment Agency hiring up to 400, may look outside public service

• Canadian navy test fires new anti-submarine torpedo

• Black History Month marked at CFB Halifax, 12 Wing

• Cold-weather operations: What a 1693 raid teaches modern forces

• HOPE: A Compassionate Support Network for the Canadian Armed Forces

• Supporting minds far from home: A Mental Health Nursing Officer’s OUTCAN journey

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Project Updates

• An Advance Procurement Notice has been issues regarding future infrastructure related to the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC) project at the future Western Main Operating Base in Edmonton

• The RFP for Bundle 1 of the Common Heavy Equipment Replacement (CHER) Project has been updated with new Q&A. For reference this bundle includes Armoured Dozers, Graders, Excavators, Compactors, and Loaders. About two weeks left to go here to submit y'all

• The RFSO regarding Medium Over Snow Vehicles has been updated with new documentation

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Lobbying Updates

• Zighra Inc has filed a new record with PAA Advisory looking to engage the Federal Government on it's products and capabilities, specifically in Explainable AI (XAI) for Actionable Intelligence, Multi-Sensor Fusion & Electronic Threat Detection, On-Device AI for Autonomous Defense, and Adaptive Security

• Boeing Canada has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including ITB policy, ongoing trade issues with the United States, future programs, and the companies potential offerings.

• Qikiqtaaluk Arctic Economic Development has filed a new record with Barrack Hill Public Affairs looking for Federal supports regarding the development of the Qikiqtarjuaq Deep Sea Port in Nunavut

• Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems GmbH has fuled a new record with PAA Advisory looking to engage the Federal Government on the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project

• Damera Defence Canada Corporation has filed a new record with CFN Consultants looking to engage the Federal Government on the companies capabilities and offerings.

• NordSpace Corporation has filed a new record with CFN Consultants looking to engage the Federal Government on Domestic Launch policy, ITB policy, and Federal support.

• General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems has filed a new record with Maple Leaf Strategies looking to engage the Federal Government on the Munition Supply Program, future contracts for munitions, and export permits.

• General Dynamics Mission Systems - Canada has filed a new record with Maple Leaf Strategies looking to engage the Federal Government on export opportunities, Canada's plans to reach 2% defence spending, and the Companies products.

• Juno Industries has filed a new record with Barrack Hill Public Affairs looking to engage the Federal Government on it's products and capabilities.

• J.D. Irving has filed a new record with NorthStar Public Affairs looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics.

• Thales Canada has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including defence industrialization in Canada, funding programs, the Strategic Innovation Fund, export permits, future programs, and their offerings in multiple domains. Jesus.

• Babcock Canada has filed new communications detailing meetings with Andrew Green

• Hatch has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Darcy Molstad, Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, Michael Wright, Angus Topshee, Christiane Fox, Matthew Coates, Peter Hammerschmidt, and Steve Boivin.

• Vancouver Shipyards has filed multiple new communications detailing meetings with Robert Gray, Robb Wight, George Al-Aaraj, Stefanie Beck, Jenn Williams, Heather Sheehy, Mario Pelletier

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Rumors & Speculation

• For those who missed it in our post there were plans to officially announce the CMAR contract tomorrow that have now been pushed back. The contract was supposed to be signed in December, woth delivery by the end of the year. We previously reported that, however it seems things got delayed a bit. Delivery is still expected this year to Latvia.

• There is also another space announcement scheduled for this month that was also pushed back by the DIS delay. I can't say what exactly it is though. Working on that.

• There have been some rumblings on Chunmoo again, very minor but enough to get through the grapevine. HIMARS is still a go, but maybe we take a safety option so to speak as a supplement. Rumors are rumors and we will work to get more on this.

• Expect to hear more about a European company jumping on several naval projects, and not one you're thinking.

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