This Week in Defence (06/15/26): TKMS Spotlight, New Navy RFI Again, New CRCN Coming, HDFM/MCAV Update, LUV Update, NtACS Numbers, Zetros In Canada?, Keel Laid On HMCS Fraser, And Lots More

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Happy Monday Everyone!

We have a new format this week! That's right, I gave in and put middle ads. It turns out that soace is very valuable. I hope it isnt too intrusive to all of you, I tried my best to make sure it wasn't.

Loads of new RFI, A Keel Laying, and lots of writing for Noah over the last week! And if rumors are to be believed, this upcoming week will be even more packed. We get a new CRCN, Eurosatory is in full swing, and allegedly a big announcement is coming maybe…

I won't keep you occupied. We got a lot this week, so let's jump into it!

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!

• The Anchor: What TKMS Offers To Canada

• Let's Talk with Noah (06/12/26): Lots of Fighters, Munitions, USV, Confirming KSS-III Size, Volatus, VLS Again

• New RFI for Dive Tenders Released

• Minor Updates To HDFM & MCAV

• Royal Canadian Navy to Welcome New Commander

• Hanwha Ocean and Azure Sustainable Fuels Announce MOU to Explore Investment and Growth Opportunities in Canada's Sustainable Aviation Fuel Sector

• PCL Construction and Hanwha Ocean Advance Partnership to Drive Job Creation and Strengthen Canadian Industry as Part of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project

• The Department of National Defence opens world-class defence research complex in Valcartier

• BDO Canada launches Defence Cyber Readiness Accelerator

• Canada-led NATO Multinational Brigade – Latvia conducts Transfer of Command Authority

• DRDC-Led Maritime Autonomy Trials Advance Canadian Innovation

• NEO Battery to Showcase Drone Battery Portfolio at Baltic SSD Expo 2026 and Partners with Korea Anti-Drone Industry Association

• FRONTIER LITHIUM AND HANWHA SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TO EXPLORE STRATEGIC COOPERATION ACROSS THE LITHIUM VALUE CHAIN.

• Maritime Launch Completes Suborbital Launch from Spaceport Nova Scotia in Partnership with T-Minus Engineering

• TKMS, Heirloom Carbon Technologies and thyssenkrupp Calvion Explore Commercialization of Direct Air Capture in Canada

• Canada advances sovereign Earth observation capabilities with $2.4M investment in next-generation satellite technology

• Minister McEntee holds discussions with Canadian Defence Minister ahead of EU Presidency

• Minister Joly announces a $75 million investment in Canadian Blood Services and Canadian Armed Forces partnership

• Top Aces to Acquire Select Global International, Strengthening Canada’s Sovereign Fighter Pilot Training Capability

• Canada and the Philippines strengthen defence partnership with new arrangement

• Where was Mr. Fuhr Today? (06/12/2026)

• Mayor Announces Defence Construction Panel for Winnipeg Industry

• Keel Laid for first River-Class Destroyer – The Future HMCS Fraser

• Prime Minister Carney deepens partnership with France across trade, defence, and advanced technologies

• 49NORTH RELEASES GLOBAL PROCEDURE DESIGNER, A PROVEN INSTRUMENT FLIGHT PROCEDURE DESIGN SOLUTION REFRESHED FOR COMPLIANCE WITH LATEST REGULATIONS

• Vard Shows Off New Look At The Vigilance 105 Corvette (plus mini-cdc update)

• SAFE: Council concludes agreement with Canada

• Arcanus Aerial Systems Appoints Rahim Rajwani as Interim Chief Executive Officer to Lead Company Through Planned U.S. Public Listing

• 49North Awarded $3.7M Contract from General Atomics to Deliver Coalition Shared Database for Canada's Guardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft System Program

• JPMorganChase Expands Security and Resiliency Initiative to Canada

• Des Nedhe Group Defence and Actagon AB Sign MOU to Advance Canada-Sweden Defence Industrial Collaboration

• Prime Minister Carney meets with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Announces First Canadian Supplier Under SAFE

• CCC Signs MoU to Expand Canadian Defence Trade with the Dominican Republic

• Where was Mr. Fuhr Today? (06/15/2026)

• CADSI hot take - it’s time to make CANSEC 3 days

• Defence minister not ruling out mixed fighter jet fleet as Canada reviews F-35 purchase

• Airbus provides update on the CC330 Husky

• Nova Scotia companies to capitalize as Halifax positioned to be Canada's defence capital

• McGuinty to lead defence trade mission pitching Japan on Canadian military tech

• In Defence of Canada Briefing (Issue 14)

• Inside Canada’s $500 Billion Dollar Defence Spending Gamble

• Canada is falling behind on delivering strategic power for Arctic defence

• Aligning the Stars: How to deepen the Canada-U.S. relationship in four critical sectors

• Former top defence official warns Canadians against booing U.S. anthem

• ‘Valiant ship’ HMCS Sackville receives ceremonial recommissioning

• Sailors help drive food bank expansion in Porters Lake

• HFX Wanderers victorious at DND Appreciation Match

• CCG Academy Graduation: Class of 2026

• Edmonton graduate posted to St. John’s after Canadian Coast Guard Academy graduation

• Local waterways inspire Napanee Amherstview graduate’s path to the Canadian Coast Guard

• From the rink to the open ocean: Squamish’s Ryelin McCarten graduates from the Canadian Coast Guard Academy

• Lead the way in Special Operations aviation

• Be where the patients are: One member's journey from Medical Tech to Submarine Medicine

• CAF examines operational support during Exercise MAPLE LEAF PAJUK 26

• Bringing advanced trauma care to the north: NOREX Guerrier Nordique 2026

• From Frontenac farmland to the Great Lakes: Benjamin Tucker graduates from Canadian Coast Guard Academy

• From family sailing to the Canadian Coast Guard: A calling that takes him to sea

• From Sea Cadets to the helm: Bailee David graduates from Canadian Coast Guard Academy

• Minister of National Defence celebrates public servants during National Public Service Week

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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 RFP for the Uplift UOR has been updated with new documentation

• The RFI for the Bridge and Gap Crossing Modernization Project has been updated with new documentation

• We have a new RFP for the drydocking and refit of the Canadian Coast Guard Ship CCGS Franklin

• The RFP for the Dry Docking and Ship Repair work for the CCGS Ann Harvey has been updated with new documentation

• The RFI for Small and Medium Uncrewed Ground Vehicles (UGVs) has had a last minute update

• The RFP looking for two new Fixed-Wing Platforms, including a King Air to support training and testing, has been updated with new documentation

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• Drakkar has filed a new record with Sandstone Group looking to engage the Federal Government on the companies capabilities and offerings

• True North Nuclear has filed a new record with Sandstone Group looking to engage the Federal Government on the companies capabilities and offerings, as well as to try and secure a nuclear demonstration site in Canada

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

• General Motors of Canada has filed a new record with CFN Consultants looking to engage the Federal Government on both the Light Utility Vehicle and Light Force Enhancement projects.

• Cenmax Group has filed a new record with Northern Arc Public Affairs looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including Buy Canadian Policy, Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, NORAD modernization, the IDEaS program, and the BDC Defence Platform financing program

• Global Relay Communications has filed a new record with GT & Company looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including AI infrastructure and security solutions, policies regarding digital sovereignty and to discuss options for data security.

• Dominion Dynamics has filed a new record with GT & Company looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including Economic development of the Arctic region with respect to transportation and dual-use infrastructure, Potential contributions of Canadian-controlled defense companies to Canadian sovereignty and economic prosperity, the Defense Industrial Strategy and the companies capabilities and offerings

• Canada Rocket Company has filed a new record with Sandstone Group looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including Talent Retention and Acquisition, launch licences and export controls, future dual use technologies, and how Canada can contribute to global responsive sovereign missions and open new commercial markets for Canadian tech companies

• Iristel has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on telecommunications regulations and standards, including the role of innovative or disruptive technologies

• CADEX Defence has filed a new record with Northern Arc Public Affairs looking to engage the Federal Government on export controls and the Firearm Country Control List, as well as the Munition Supply Program

• 49North has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including the companies capabilities and offerings, Government policy in procurements, and future programs related to multi-domain C4ISR integration, advanced sensing and radar technologies, autonomous systems, secure digital mission systems, defence-qualified electronics, and long-term in-service support

• Ammolux has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on the possible construction of a small calibre ammunition facility in Canada to cover all military grade ammunition needs currently in use with the Canadian Armed Forces (9mm - 12.7mm)

• Iron Will Innovations has filed a new record with Northern Arc Public Affairs looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including IdEAS, IRAP Defence Industry Assist, the Regional Defence Investment Initiative, Defence Industrial Strategy, the modernization of Canadian Armed Forces training through virtual reality and simulation technology, and federal procurement modernization. I would put it all, but these guys really didnt miss anything. If you ever need a list made, call Kent Hehr because he doesnt miss anything

• Phantom Photonics has filed a new record with StrategyCorp looking to engage the Federal Government on procurement through the Defence Procurement Agency and new procurement vehicles as a result of the new federal government’s procurement reform policies, as well as funding for development and deployment of quantum technologies to contribute to sovereign quantum innovation capacity and to provide solutions for Arctic defence and security

• Kelowna Flightcraft has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on the ISS of multiple projects including Airborne Early Warning & Control, Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft, Future Aircrew Training Program, and Future Fighter Lead-In Training. They also wanna engage on government Tax Credit legislation for Aircraft Maintenance Engineers

• J-Squared Technologies has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Vincent Dumontier-Houle and Nicholas Marum

• Vancouver Shipyards has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Christiane Fox

• CAE has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Joël Lightbound, David McGuinty, Arianne Reza, and Vincent Robitaille

• SkyCan Systems has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Christiane Fox, Spencer Page, Wendy Hadwen, Carolyn Dittburner, and Theodros Zeamanuel

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• The official designation for the Colt Eagle 40mm Launcher is the C27

• At least one other company has repprtedly been added to the LUV Phase II qualified Suppliers List

• The numbers coming from sources for nTACS are 36 Attack Helicopters and 42+ Medium-Lift Helicopters, and as we have reported likely a doubling of the Chinook fleet

• I guess Roshel and Daimler announced today, but no press release so I'll throw this here until they prove me wrong. There is renewed talk about Zetros being produced locally. Funny enough, Hanwha apparently also showed off a Daimler-based Chunmoo at Eurosatory, but I don't know which chassis. Fun times

• I have heard 6 different dates for the sub announcement. Don't stress about it Gang. You'll know when it's coming

• There is some discussions around about expanding on the Victoria Modernization package, for some reason. How strange

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