This Week in Defence (03/09/26): Sub Fleet Split, CPSP Sustainment, New Partnerships, Old Partnerships, IFM Numbers

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Happy Monday Everyone!

We're back to our regular schedule, for the most part. I've come to realize I like the newsletter being in the evening. Technically, we never had a time but I always tried to do early afternoon. I don't really like that anymore. It feels a bit eqrly and such… especially if Monday gas late news.

I don't wanna distract. Its a shorter newsletter, but this week we get a few project updates at least!

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!

• Minister Joly, Minister McGuinty and Secretary of State Fuhr announce over $900 million to boost defence innovation

• On Spliting the Submarine Fleet

• Defence Investment Agency seeks input from Canadian industry on future submarine fleet sustainment

• Bombardier Global 6500 Aircraft Acquired by the National Research Council of Canada to Conduct Critical Research and Development Activities

• Ontario Appoints Province’s First Military Defence Representative

• Dominion Dynamics makes initial $50-million investment to build a sovereign autonomous wingman

• Canadian Companies and Universities Join Hanwha Ocean’s Global Submarine Supply Chain Through New Partnerships

• Port of Churchill and Port of Antwerp-Bruges International Sign New Agreement to Build A Stronger North Atlantic Trade Corridor

• Kraken Robotics Announces Signing of Strategic Acquisition to Expand Global Maritime Capabilities

• Government of Canada launches calls for proposals for the $5 billion Trade Diversification Corridors Fund and the $1 billion Arctic Infrastructure Fund

• Volatus Aerospace to Achieve Full Ownership of Synergy Aviation and Consolidate Commercial Aircraft Operations

• TKMS and CAE Sign Teaming Agreement to Support Canada’s Submarine Program

• MDA: Manufacturing Now Underway at New High-Volume Satellite Facility

• Prime Minister Carney announces changes in the senior ranks of the public service

• Galvion receives Batlskin Caiman order for another 29,000 helmets, from the Canadian DND, through NSPA

• Aecon partnership executes agreement to deliver the Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar Program Stage 1 project in Ontario

• Stantec selected to deliver multidisciplinary engineering and design services for Canada’s Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar project

• Pomerleau selected for Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar Project 

• Minister McGuinty met with Australian Minister of Defence

• Prime Minister Carney forges new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Japan across defence, energy, trade, and technology

• Helping military families connect to work sooner

• Strengthening industry and sovereignty partnerships

• Naval Reserve explores future presence in Whitehorse

• Plan Qulliq’s first Innovation Lab takes flight

• Statement by the Minister of National Defence

• Minister Sidhu welcomes $39 million General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada (GDMS- Canada) contract with Portuguese Air Force to modernize P-3C fleet

• CAE announces executive changes to support Defense & Security transformation and accelerate growth

• Indigenous Communities in the North Central to Canada’s New Defence Industrial Strategy

• Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy: Legal Considerations for Businesses

• Canada-India Defence Co-operation: From Freeze to Forward Motion

• Business Brief: Canadian defence takes off

• Canada could be called on to help defend Gulf states, says top military commander

• Defence Chief General Jennie Carignan on the state of Canada’s military

• Canada not looking to split submarine contract between Germans, Koreans: secretary of state

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

• Q&A: Stephen Fuhr on Canada’s new defence and industrial strategies, streamlined procurement plan

• Canada Once Had Nukes. We Might Need to Bring Them Back

• Canadian military personnel identified on white supremacist dating site

• Site preparation activities to begin at CFB Halifax Stadacona (Porteous Field) for Combatant Training and Integration Centre Atlantic (CTIC-A)

• Greenwood takes gold as Shearwater hosts senior men’s hockey

• Recollections on Canadian Ranger indoctrination from an old hand

• Canadian soldiers tackle Japanese winter on Ex NORTH WIND 26

• DM-CDS Message: Changes to Defence Team senior leadership

• Become the capability: Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit

• Partnership in practice: Canada and UK strengthen ties through winter training

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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.

• A new RFI has been released to engage industry on the sustainment of the future Canadian Patrol Submarine.

• The CAF has a new RFP out for the Acquisition of 200 Rucksacks and Small Packs for those of you interested.

• The RFP for the Common Heavy Equipment Replacement (CHER) Project Bundle 6 (Forklifts) has been updated with new documentation.

• The RFP for the Common Heavy Equipment Replacement (CHER) Project Bundle 1 (Armoured Dozers, Graders, Excavators, Compactors, and Loaders) 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

• A new RFP has been dropped by the DND looking to acquire up to 31 Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Domestic Response Vehicles for the various Canadian Forces Bases in Canada.

• The Modified Design Build (MDB) contract for the River-class Combatant Training and Integration Centre (CTIC) in Esquimalt has been updated with new documentation.

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Lobbying Updates

• Top Aces has filed a new record with Crestview Strategy looking to engage the Federal Government on air training services, the company, ongoing labour shortages, Future fighter lead-in training (FFLIT) and the Contracted Airborne Training Services (CATS) program

• Ontario Shipyards has filed a new record with Rubicon Strategy looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Comoanies capacity, future projects, ongoing contracts and Team Vigilance.

• 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

• Lockheed Martin Canada has filed a new record with McMillan Vantage Policy Group to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including the Canadian Surface Combatant Program, Future Fighter Capability Project, modernization of NORAD, and Investmwnt programs.

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

• Reaction Dynamics has filed a new record with MERCURE looking to engage the Federal Government on the companies capabilities and offerings.

• Bell Textron has filed a new record with Micheal Oates looking to engage the Federal Government on nTACS

• Ocean Group has filed a new record with PAA Advisory looking to engage the Federal Government on the National Shipbuilding Strategy and programs aimed at supporting shipyards

• Wuxly has filed a new record with Crestview Strategy looking to engage the Federal Government on Canadian-made smart textiles and to support policies that strengthen domestic supply chains, manufacturing capacity, defence readiness and capabilities.

• Strix Aero has filed a new record with TACT looking to engage the Federal Government on future funding opportunities and contract opportunities

• Magna International has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Renee Filiatrault, Hilary Hendriks, and Conor Lewis

• Ocean Group has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Nicholas Vigault and Darren Smith

• Arctic Gateway Group has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Diane Gauthier and Christopher Millar

• Inuit Development Corporation Association (IDCA) met with everyone. Yes, everyone. This includes Jaspinder Komal, Judith Bennett, Genevieve Binet, Wendy Hadwen, Jean Francois Morel, Renee de Bellefeuille, Martin Gravel, Marc Mes, Jonathan Moor, Taylor Paxton, Stephen Kelsey, Peter Hammerschmidt, Scott Millar, Natasha Kim, David Parker, and Ian Huddleston

• IMT Group has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Hilary Hendriks, Andrew Green, and Matthew Hall

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Rumors & Speculation

• There are rumors that the numbers proposed for IFM have increased, but I don't know how much. In told it isnt a massive increase to the topline, but a decent one none the less.

• There is some expectation for a ATGM RFI soon. Although I've heard people hype that before just for it to get pushed to the side and delayed, so we'll see.

• For those of you in Industry, the Navies proposed new Fleet Mix study has been delayed apparently, at least by a few months it seems.

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