This Week in Defence (05/04/26): CMAR Updates, New Defence Policy? ALAV, New Satellite RFI, New UGV Requests, Lots of Hanwha

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Happy Monday Everyone!

It is a rumor-filed week on This Week in Defence! With projects getting rushed out for CANSEC, and plans starting to come together, the table is set for a busy few weeks here! On top of that, we have a new Defence Policy reportedly in the works…

In a side note… how do you guys like the later released? I feel 9:30 is a good time. A lot of you messaged me saying you liked having a bedtime read to go with! I like late releases because it gives more time to get things in, and for people to submit.

Remember that you can always submit your media and press releases to us at media@truenorthstrategicreview.ca!

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• 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 (04/29/26): Sensors, Naming Vessels, River-class, HUSAR, MK38

• TNSR launches it's CANSEC 2026 campaign, announces guidelines for CANSEC coverage.

• CCGS Donjek Launched

• What You Need To Know About The Spring Economic Update And Defence

• From Weapons to Sustainment: Canada’s Undersea Capability Takes Shape Through New LIG-Magellan-Hanwha Partnership

• Advancing Sovereign Capability Through Clean Energy: Canada–Korea Partnership Targets Defence and Arctic Needs

• Hanwha’s Montreal Partnerships Advance Canada’s Submarine Capability at Home

• Canadian Coast Guard Launches its first of two Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships, CCGS Donjek

• Canada’s Automotive Parts Manufacturers’​ Association (APMA) and Hanwha Corporation announce landmark joint venture to establish a new Canadian entity that will produce military and industrial vehicle

• Government of Canada Commits to New Strategy for Nuclear Energy

• Lockheed Martin Awarded New Production Contract For HIMARS, Canada Included.

• Canada welcomes progress towards the establishment of the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank and hosting its headquarters

• AVSS collaborates with the Government of Canada through Innovative Solutions Canada to perform avalanche control work with drones.

• Patriot Forge Corporation at CANSEC 2026: Delivering Canadian Industrial Readiness

• KF Aerospace Expands National Footprint with New Ottawa Office, Strengthening Partnership with Manitoba Métis Federation

• Update on Magellan, Hanwha, Missiles and Manufacturing Stuff

• Royal Canadian Navy commemorates 81st Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic

• Meeting with the Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) and ADM Tawara Tateki, Commander, Japan Self-Defense Forces Joint Operations Command (JJOC)

• Happy 116th Birthday to the Royal Canadian Navy!

• INNOSPACE and RSAT Space Inc. Sign Strategic MOU for Satellite Launch Services and Space Systems Cooperation

• Calian Signs Over $200M in Q2 Canadian Defence Contracts

• Canadian Strategic Missions Corporation awarded $5 million by Alberta Government to advance made-in-Canada nuclear solutions

• DEFSEC Ships New BLISS ("Battlespace Laser Identification Sensor System") To U.S. Army Yuma Test Center

• Arcanus Aerial Systems Secures Canadian Production with Beyond Vision -- One of Europe's Most Awarded and Fastest-Growing Defence-Drone Companies

• Toronto Global Welcomes Canada's Selection as Host Country for the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, Calls for a Transparent Host City Process

• Juno Industries Closes $12 MN Oversubscribed Financing to Build Canada’s Modern Defence Prime

• L3Harris Technologies Reports Strong First Quarter 2026 Results

• Bombardier Raises Free Cash Flow Guidance on Sharp Q1 2026 Increase, Records Strong Backlog Growth in Exceptional Quarter

• Airbus reports First Quarter (Q1) 2026 results

• Saab Q1 results 2026 - A strong start to the year

• Seaspan, Coast Salish Employment and Training Society to create new trades training programs for Indigenous youth

• Joint statement from Ministers of National Defence and Veterans Affairs in commemoration of the Battle of the Atlantic

• Prime Minister Carney meets with Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk

• Prime Minister Carney meets with President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola

• Prime Minister Carney meets with European leaders and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy

• Prime Minister Carney meets with President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen

• Prime Minister Carney meets with President of France Emmanuel Macron

• Prime Minister Carney strengthens trade and security partnerships with European nations

• Government of Canada breaks ground on National Monument to Canada's Mission in Afghanistan

• Defence chief set to pitch ‘options’ for massive troop surge as military strains under its own limits

• Carney’s Canada: A New Defence and Security Posture, Yet to be Tested

• Helmets and hard hats: A look at Canada's plan to boost the military with skills training

• Leaked report shows basic training pass rate fell after military recruitment changes

• NATO looking at Canadian aircraft for its new airborne warning fleet

• The defence-tech gold rush is testing the limits of venture capital

• Canada’s top general says military won't renew program to prevent avalanches on Trans-Canada Highway

• Defence Investment Agency will get ‘new minister’ and more independence

• Morning Update: On the ground in Canada’s Arctic

• Canada needs new friends—here’s why Asia’s middle powers are a great place to start

• HMCS Charlottetown joins multinational exercise hosted by Australia

• Teal Up for Military Children: Thank You, CFB Halifax & 12 Wing

• Staying safe online during heightened global cyber activity

• Building readiness through social connection | A message from your Mental Health Champions

• Canadian Forces Military Police anonymous Drug Tip line

• Overcoming loneliness and building connection in the CAF and Defence community

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

• The Vessel Life Extension (VLE) dry-docking, inspection, repair, maintenance and alterations of the CCGS Sir William Alexander has been updated with new documentation

• The SoO for Mini Uncrewed Ground Vehicle Systems (MUGVS) for explosive threats and assist with explosive ordnance disposal has been updated with new documentation

• The RFI to engage on In-Service Support for the River-class Destroyer has been updated with new documentation.

• A new RFI for the Worldwide Satellite Communications - Protected MILSATCOM Tactical (WSC-PMT) project has been released!

• The RFI for the Tactical Communications Modernization Project has been updated with new documentation

• A new APN related to the Combined Joint Intelligence Modernization (CJIM) Joint Intelligence Training Centre (JITC) has been released

• Another new UGV request! I think the fourth this year? DND is looking to acquire two Quadruped Uncrewed Ground Vehicles (Q-UGV) this year. Act fast though, not much time on this one!

• The RFP for Line of Communication Bridge Systems has been updated with new documentation

• A new Request for Expression of Interest (RFEOI) has been released looking for team capable of designing the future Centre for Autonomous Flight Systems (CAFS) on the NRC Uplands Campus in Ottawa

• Telesat Canada has received a new $3,432, 650.72 seed contract related to the Enhanced Satellite Communication Project – Polar (ESCP-P)

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• Colt Canada has filed a new record with Summa Strategies looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including expansion of eligibility under Vote 10 and how the company can assist in federal small arms procurement.

• Metro Supply Chain has filed a new record with Global Public Affairs looking to engage the Federal Government on the companies capabilities and offerings

• Vard Marine has filed a new record with Rubicon Strategy looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including the Defence Industrial Strategy, Shipyard Capacity, and the companies capabilities and offerings

• Aecon Group has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on topics of potential projects of interest

• Hanwha Defence Canada has filed a new record with Prospectus Associates looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project and future Land Vehicle projects

• DEW Engineering and Development has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on the Defence Industrial Strategy and potential procurement opportunities

• Fireweed Metals has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including the North Canol Infrastructure Improvement Project and Mactung and Macpass projects

• Stelumar Advanced Manufacturing has filed a new record with McMillan Vantage looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including the National Building Code of Canada, housing affordability and the supply shortage, and advanced manufacturing and clean technology tax credits

• Top Aces has filed a new record with Navigator looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including training, Future Fighter Lead-in Training (FFLIT), Contracted Airborne Training Services (CATS) program, and Operational Training Infrastructure Enterprise Modernization (OTIEM).

• Lockheed Martin Canada has filed a new record with McMillan Vantage looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including the Defence Industrial Strategy, River-class Destroyer, the F-35, and more.

• AtkinsRéalis has filed a new record with Teneo looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including the Defence Industrial Strategy, defence-related infrastructure projects and other government priorities related to defence and security

• Marshall Canada Holdings has filed a new record with Barrack Hill Public Affairs looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including Defence Policy and the companies capabilities and offerings

• MHI RJ Aviation has filed a new record with Crestview Strategy looking to engage the Federal Government on procurement opportunities, R&D support and policy, the companies capabilities and offerings, and policy for supporting regional manufacturing

• Trigon Pacific Terminals Limited has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on the companies capabilities and offerings

• CAE has filed a new record with Prospectus Associates and all they put was “Operational training support project” so like, yeah. That. I guess.

• The Nukik Corporation has filed new communications detailing meetings with Peter Hammerschmidt and Gwendolyn Culver

• General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems - Canada has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Mark Mckiel

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• There is almost garunteed to be an early Defence Policy Update by the end of next year. There are some talks it may be announced at CANSEC, I dont know about that one, everyone's gonna say things will be announced at CANSEC. I do make note though that it is in the works.

• To do some followup, there were a bunch of things that weren't necessarily announced that are part of the CMAR project. About 3000 Eagle 40mm launchers, PMAGs from Magpul, and optics were all in the contract.

• To throw some followup out there, there is credible debate on the future armament of ALAV. 30MM, 35MM, and again a .50/ATGM config are all on the table at present. Rumors saying that we have settled on what it will be are false. Especially if they say LAV 6.0 MKII…

• To also followup, there is no update on a ‘Reserve APC’ at present. While the term has been floating around, there is yet to be a credible followup to what it is. I would say this one is in the bin until further notice.

• More Cambli Blackwolf are rumored to be coming to Latvia though! While not confirmed, it's rumored that the company will be providing additional Blackwolf as the base for CACIs CUAS Phase II UOR solution, whoch they've subcontracted to DEW.

• We will hopefully have more next week, but the mobilization plan that has been being worked on will be presented this week. Some rumors are leaking out (Growing each ARes Brigade to 9k, fluctuations on AuxRes numbers) but I can't confirm anything. Hopefully more details will come.

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