This Week in Defence (03/03/26): Happy Belated CPSP RFP Day!, Quarterly Financial Reports Released, New Tugs, LIG NEX1 Enters the Fight, River-Class Changes, Potential Fighter Review Update

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Happy Tuesday Everyone!

We're a day late. I again would like to apologize for this delay. However, it did give some time for some more interesting news to drop! We have a lot this week between Submarine, a new Quarterly Financial Report dropping, and LIG NEX1 making a surprise apperence.

We also got some significant rumors this week… exciting aint it?

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 (02/24/26): Everyone Loves nTACS, CDC, Bombardier, DIS Fallout

• Let's Talk with Noah (03/02/26): Coastal Defence, Armoured Vehicle Roundup, Infrastructure Roundup, Golden Dome, LRSS

• Happy CPSP RFP Day! Everything You Need To Know About The RFP, What's Currently On The Table, and Answering Some Questions

• Will the UK pick a side in CPSP?

• Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 released

• Advancing the Royal Canadian Navy’s Future Fleet with New Naval Large Tugs

• Let's gossip about Canada's donation of 400+ armoured vehicles to Ukraine

• Future naval occupations determined to ensure readiness: Setting the Conditions for the Future Fleet

• Department of National Defence to accept Naval Large Tug, Canso

• Canada and Korea host 2+2 Minsiters meeting, sign new Information Sharing agreement

• Newfoundland and Labrador is Ready to Support Canada’s New Defence Industrial Strategy

• The Government of Canada and the Council of Yukon First Nations announce a federal investment to support Yukon First Nations work in Arctic security

• Alliance of Canadian Defence Companies (ACDC) Launches

• Government of Canada reaffirms unwavering support for Ukraine four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion

• Canada and Germany to work together in key industrial sectors

• Defense Metals Showcases Rare Earth Leadership in European Trade Mission Led by Canadian Government

• Galaxia Secures Federal Support to Accelerate Canada’s Sovereign Space and Defence Capabilities

• CRC: Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy is Here: What's in it for Robotics?

• Calian and ADGA Group Sign Collaboration Agreement to Advance Next-Generation Land Training and Simulation for the Canadian Army

• Volatus Aerospace Receives Conditional Approval to Graduate to the Toronto Stock Exchange

• NordSpace Launches NordSpace Ventures, Strategic Investment in Wyvern to Accelerate Canadian Sovereign Space Capability

• Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy to strengthen security, create prosperity, and reinforce strategic autonomy

• Canada awards new contract to Safran as part of Victoria-class Modernization

• CCC, Curtiss-Wright win 4-year contract to supply helicopter landing system to U.S. Navy

• REDspace signed to modernize aircrew training with a unified digital portal for SkyAlyne

• Bell invests $1 million in McKenna Institute to strengthen Canada's cybersecurity talent pipeline

• Groupe Océan contracted to deliver two more tugs to the Royal Canadian Navy

• TKMS Signs Two Agreements with Indigenous Partners to Support the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project

• First production test flight of a RCAF CT-157 Siskin II (Pilatus PC-21) for FAcT program

• Taiwan: MOFA thanks Canada, South Korea, France for supporting cross-strait peace

• Government of Canada announces support to help Alberta business enhance artificial intelligence technologies and compete in global markets

• INNOSPACE Signs Letter of Intent with Maritime Launch to Explore Launch Operations at Spaceport Nova Scotia

• Commandant of Canadian Army staff college removed from his position

• Canadian military personnel in Middle East out of harm's way: McGuinty

• Could Montreal become Canada's new defence industry hub?

• Torys on defence: securing Canada’s critical minerals supply chain

• Applications to Canada's armed forces surged 12.9% in the past eight months, says national defence minister

• DND holds meeting as it starts to ‘figure out tangibles’ for North

• Former chief of defence staff says Canada should be ‘supportive’ of U.S. action in Iran

• Champions Forged - Exercise RELENTLESS WARRIOR 2026

• HMCS William Hall welcomes new CO in unique setting

• Stad Band member on exchange helps mark Waitangi Day

• S3 Marco Petrucci: “There has to be trust at every level”

• A historic moment for the Profession of Arms: Launch of the Non-Commissioned Member Leadership College (NCMLC)

• Military Dilemmas App: New packs and updates

• Combat Training Centre seeking Reservists to support Army training growth

• Meet Bhillie: A new face for financial readiness

• Strong smiles support strong missions: How CAF Dental Technicians help keep NATO troops mission-ready

• PO1 Evans: Finding purpose beneath the surface

• Social Work Month in the CAF – Supporting members when it matters most

• Strengthening the Forces: Nourish to Flourish Nutrition Month 2026

• Our strength is our people…literally

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Project Updates

This Week in Defence Project and Lobbying updates are supported by Dominion Dynamics Aurion. Aurion is an open data platform designed to increase transparency across Canada's defence procurement ecosystem.

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

• The RFP for the dry docking and refit of CCGS John P Tully has been updated with new documentation

• The RFP for the dry docking and refit of CCGS Henry Larsen has been updated with new documentation

• The RFP for ship repair work, including dry docking, on CCGS Pierre Radisson has been updated with new documentation.

• The Request for Expression of Interest (RFEOI) for a new Centre for Drone Innovation (CDI) in Mirabel has been updated with new documentation

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Lobbying Updates

• Defense Metals Corp has filed a new record with Temple Scott Associates looking to engage the Federal Government on it's ongoing fundignnspree of Critical Minerals projects and to promote the Wicheeda Rare Earth Elements Project in British Columbia

• LIG Nex1 has entered the battle! For the first time the Korean company has filed a new record, this time with Samuel Associates looking to engage not just on CPSP but also on Arctic surveillance, radar renewal, and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance capabilities.

• Seaspan Shipyards has filed a new record with Bluesky Strategy Group looking to engage the Federal Government on the National Shipbuilding Strategy and Biometric collection stuff

• Telesat has filed a new record with MERCURY Consulting Group looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including regulatory fees, spectrum allocation, the Strategic Innovation Fund, procurement opportunities, and the creation of a National Space Council

• ITPS has filed a new record with Edelman looking to engage the Federal Government on Pilor Training and how ITPS can support that.

• Heli-One Canada has filed a new record with Tactix Government Relations and Public Affairs looking to engage the Federal Government on the companies capabilities in the rotory-wing maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) domain

• Propulsion Quebec has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics.

• Torngat Metals has filed a new record with Earnscliffe Strategies looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including the Critical Minerals strategy, Impact Assessments, potential funding, and the companies Strange Lake Rare Earths project

• Nokia Canada has filed a new record with StrategyCorp looking to engage the Federal Government on the companies capabilities in secure Communications Networks, Data Centers, Cloud, and Wireless Networks

• General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada has filed a new record with Maple Leaf Strategies looking to engage the Federal Government on it's ongoing procurements and export permits

• Calian Group has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including Our North: Strong and Free, Ongoing funding increases for National Defence, and cross-cutting issues

• Saab Canada has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Heather Sheehy, Christiane Fox, Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, and Jeffery Smyth

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Rumors & Speculation

• The Leonardo guns are officially off the River-class. We reported this a few weeks ago, but it now seems set. Both the Vulcano and Lionfish have seemingly been dropped. They will be replaced by the BAE 5-Inch Mk.45 and likely the MK.38 Mod 4. The 38 is entirely speculation on my part, however it seems likely. Reportedly the change was for a few reasons, none I can yet fully say for certain but Integration issues, cost, and the desire to save space and weight caused by the larger Vulcano have all been told to me.

• I am a sad boy because of this.

• The expectation is that we should see somw CHER orders this summer. For those of you that like CHER.

• A choice on the Fighter Review has apparently been made internally. Usually I won't report this rumor, but this time seems like there is enough renewed interest. Rumor is that CUSMA negotiations could still change it, but there seems to be a lot of lock on a dual fleet. Take with a grain of salt.

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This Week in Defence is proudly supported by

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Dominion Dynamics is developing Canada's next-generation Arctic command layer, unifying sensors, autonomous systems, and operators across all domains into a single real-time operating picture. Their energy- efficient, low-latency C2 architecture is purpose-built for extreme northern conditions and fully interoperable with both legacy and future systems, strengthening sovereign capabilities, improving joint decision-making, and enabling adaptable, integrated defence and security operations across Canada's Arctic.