This Week in Defence (02/23/26): nTACS update, Chunmoo Clarification, new Rocket Company, Defence Industrial Strategy fallout

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Happy Monday Everyone!

Back home again. I am getting very tired of travelling between you and me. I am always happy to attend events, and this one was fun, but it always drains me for a few days after. So sadly we have a later newsletter today.

Anywho, we got a lot of nTACS. I know a lot of you are on a helicopter binge so I'm trying to be hard on it. We also got a lot of DIS fallout coming out of last week.

Anyways!

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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 (02/16/26): Chinook, River-class, Munitions, France

• Let's Talk about the Defence Industrial Strategy

• Inocea Group to Acquire UK's Wave Class Fast Naval Replenishment Fleet to Return Proven NATO Capability to Active Service

• Hanwha Ocean Signs Landmark Agreements to Strengthen Canada’s Sovereign Defence Industrial Capacity, Expand Domestic Shipbuilding Workforce, and Accelerate Large-Scale Shipbuilding in Ontario

• Government of Canada launches Call for Proposals to establish Defence Innovations Secure Hubs for quantum and uncrewed system technologies

• MDA Space Launches 49North, a Canadian defence business delivering multi-domain and mission-critical capabilities Appoints Joe Armstrong as President

• DND provides update in the CP-8A

• Korea: The government signed a letter of commitment to support the Canadian submarine project, supporting the project's success.

• Cellula Robotics Selected for Canadian Technology Accelerators UK Maritime Defence and Security Program

• GA-ASI Develops Long-Range Weapons Capabilities for MQ-9B

• EKOS: From Afterthought to Imperative: Support for Defence Spending Has Reached Historic Highs.

• Minister Champagne concludes visit to Brussels to deepen economic and security partnerships

• Minister Anand meets with Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs

• Statement from Dennis Darby, President & CEO, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters on the Defence Industrial Strategy

• Airbus Granted Transport Canada Type Certification for the H175

• Minister McGuinty congratulates innovators, announces $1.75M prize winners of urban drone detection trials in Ottawa

• Government of Canada invests over $33M to strengthen Quebec’s defence sector

• Strengthening Atlantic Canada’s defence capabilities in Nova Scotia

• Enhanced Canadian Armed Forces Arctic operations reinforce sovereignty throughout 2026

• New Western strategic defence alliance created to anchor Canadian security

• CME Launches CME Defence to Help Power Canada’s Next Generation of Defence Manufacturing

• Government of Canada investing in aviation in Northern Ontario to strengthen regional defence sector

• PacifiCan invests in defence innovation and capacity building in B.C. to strengthen Canada’s security

• Minister Anand and Minister McGuinty to meet with their counterparts from the Republic of Korea

• TKMS and University of British Columbia: A Strategic Alliance for Canadian Innovation

• Procurement Ombud Leads Discussion on the Creation of a Federal Vendor Performance Management System

• What’s a Canadian firm under defence industrial strategy? It’s complicated

• Why Canadian Critical Minerals are More Critical Than Ever

• Immigration Department helping Canadian military recruit foreign military members

• For Canada’s military, readiness is the problem – but is it also the solution?: Christopher Coates for Inside Policy

• Four years after full-scale Ukraine invasion, Canada faces tough choices on defence

• ‘I understand the impatience’: Joly pledges fast action on defence plan with few details

• Dominion Dynamics Launches AURION, an Open-Source Procurement Intelligence Platform for Canada's Defence Industry

• BBE Strengthens Canada's Defence and Arctic Supply Chains with Launch of Licensed Customs Brokerage

• A Letter from the Base Commander of CFB Esquimalt

• A warm farewell to the holidays at 12 Wing

• Op NA-NU 26 puts focus on Canada’s Arctic sovereignty

• MND Message: Canada launches its first Defence Industrial Strategy

• DM/CDS Message: Canada Launches Defence Industrial Strategy

• CAF Compensation Phase Three: Key information for members

• Canada’s New Defence Industrial Strategy: What it means for Defence Team members

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

• Join Women in STEM across the Defence Team at a Speed Networking Event

• Did you know fraud can hide in plain sight? Here’s how to spot it

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Project Updates

• A new RFP has been released for the procurement of 37 Light Multipurpose Utility Vehicle with an option for up to 15 more.

• The RFP for Bundle 1 of the Common Heavy Equipment Replacement (CHER) Project has been updated with a new closing date. You now have another 22 days to submit. For reference this bundle includes Armoured Dozers, Graders, Excavators, Compactors, and Loaders.

• Bundle 6, which is for Forklifts, has also been updated with new documentation

• A new Request for Expression of Interest (RFEOI) has been issued looking for interest in a PDB for a new Centre for Drone Innovation (CDI) in Mirabel. This new facility was the one referenced in the Defence Industrial Strategy.

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Lobbying Updates

• Bombardier has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics

• Ontario Shipyards has filed a new record with CFN Consultants looking to engage the Federal Government on potential contract opportunities in the areas of ship building, ship repair and marine repair and overhaul.

• 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

• Qikiqtaaluk Horizon Arctic Services Limited Partnership has filed a new record with Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP looking to engage the Federal Government on their longstanding plan to acquire Icebreakers and develop their private Icebreaker ecosystem in St. John.

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

• General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has filed a new record with Summa Strategies Canada looking to engage the Federal Government on potential opportunities regarding Remotely Piloted Aircraft

• Northstar Earth & Space has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on potential contract opportunities and support for their satellite information services business

• SkyAlyne has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on its capabilities, future Pilot Training opportunities, and thr ITB policy

• Arctic Gateway Group has filed a new record with Wellington Dupont looking to engage the Federal Government on support for the Port of Churchill and Hudson Bay Railway, which they are currently planning under the Port of Churchill + Initative.

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

• Irving Shipbuilding has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on the River-class Destroyer project, in-service support for Halifax-class Frigates, and about future opportunities

• 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.

• OVA has filed a new record with CFN Consultants looking to engage the Federal Government on the companies capabilities in Augmented Reality Simulation and Training

• Terrestar Solutions has filed a new record with Compass Rose Group looking to engage the Federal Government on hownthey can work together to replace the need for foreign satellite technology and spectrum allocation (and sell their stuff)

• Navantia has filed a new record with TACTIX Government Relations & Public Affairs looking to engage the Federal Government on future Navy opportunities and the companies offerings.

• Canada Rocket Company has filed a new record with Sandstone Group looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including launch licences and export controls, Talent Retention and Acquisition, and potential Federal investment

• LUNR Aerospace Corporation has filed a new record with Navigator Ltd looking to engage the Federal Government on Talent Retention and Acquisition and potential support for a Domestic Launch operation. No idea who these are? No info really either.

• Magellan Aerospace Corporation has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics, like a lot. Jeez…

• Raytheon Company has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics, mostly every program you can think of including NSS, MRR, AOPS, etc. Usually I don't like to use this section to put people on stage, but holy if you are still talking about JUSTAS? My brother's in Christ uodate your terminology. I haven't seen JUSTAS since I was like 12.

• Jaunt Air Mobility Aircraft Canada has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Ezechiel Nana

• Bombardier has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Jeff Smyth

• EllisDon Construction Services has filed multiple new communications detailing meetings with Darcy Molstad, Sandra Rezansoff, Paola Zurro, Peter Hammerschmidt, Andrew Green, Michael Wright, Hilary Hendriks, and Matthew Hall

• IMT Precision has filed multiple new communications detailing meetings with Angus Topshee, Andrew Green, Hilary Hendriks, Michael Wright, and Darcy Molstad

• Clairvest has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Doug Guzman

• Maritime Launch Service has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Quinn Rinke, Renee Filiatrault, and Conor Lewis

• Raytheon Company has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Jeff Smyth

• Boeing Canada has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Darryl Taylor, Heather Sheehy, and Kevin Fitzpatrick

• Qikiqtaaluk Arctic Economic Development has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Gwendolyn Culver (who still has one of my favorite names)

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Rumors & Speculation

• Another newsletter means another nTACS update. Of course I was kinda happy to report on the Fort Erie stuff but sadly Airbus decided to mention it to local media before today. I guess I can't be upset. Their company, their news and all.

But yes, Airbus is preparing for a major expansion in Canada if they win anything out of nTACS. That includes final assembly at the plant in Fort Erie (at minimum) as well as additional investments in areas such as sustainable fuel and components manufacturing. They've already engaged in B.C, Alberta, and Quebec trying to build up a proper team it seems.

Leonardo has also been shopping around themsleves. I guess everyone understands that domestic manufacturing is likely to be a major demand of nTACS, at least on the Federal side. Leonardo already maintains a relationship with IMP so I expect they'll double down there.

The plan is still to acquire a fleet of Blackhawks (UH-60M apparently) for CANSOFCOM. That hasn't changed. I hate that it's lumped into nTACS, but it is. Makes the discussion confusing for some. Lockorsky is still dangling the UH-60 for nTACS proper. Airbus is throwing out the H-175M and Leonardo the AW149 at least for now.

Bell is obviously dangling the MV-75. There is talks of producing in Canada and I have heard that is the plan but they got a lot to prove with it…

As for the fabled Attack Helicopter the options are really only the AH-64 and AW-249. Those are the two that are really left. We don't exactly have a glutton of options in this category. Tiger is dead, Viper is basically dead and we want a proper ‘Attack Helicopter’

Anywho, that is my little nTACS update. We should be seeing an RFI soon, hopefully in the next few weeks. That should give us some more clarity of what exactly is desired.

• The news Carl Gs are expected to be delivered soon. So that's cool.

• To clarify from the other week HIMARS is still the plan. However there has been some discussions of Chunmoo as a complement. It is not an overly serious discussion, and is likely more pushed as an industrial question

• There has been some dicussions of sole-sourcing AEWC on the Federal side. I don't think I need to spell this out.

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