This Week in Defence (06/29/26): MDA Domination, Luxembourg For Some Reason, Replica Arrow Update GLLE News, New UAS For The AOPS? Navy Splitting Construction for CDC and FASST-V, DEW, Lots of Updates

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Happy Monday Everyone!

We're back to our normal with a much more reaosnable newsletter compared to last week. While last week was an absolute monster, this week managed to leave me lots of room to fill out a bunch of juicy rumors.

There isn't as much news or lobbying this week, probably because everyone padded out last week with as much as they could, but we do got some interesting project updates and a very big rumors section this time around!

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 (06/25/26): Debating, Halifax in Hamilton, Cyclone, Polar Helicopter, What Is The Role Of The CDC, What Replaces The Kingston, Munitions

• CANADIAN SPACE AGENCY AND MDA SPACE CONCLUDE CONTRACT FOR REPLENISHMENT SATELLITE VALUED AT $688M

• Micromem Technologies Inc. Update on Wearable Sensing Platform for Defence and Security Application Evaluation

• De Havilland Canada Delivers Twin Otter Classic 300-G Aircraft to Zimex Aviation

• Algonquin College honours General Jennie Carignan with honorary degree

• Update On Mississaugas Avro Arrow Replica

• Minister McGuinty concludes defence trade mission to Japan

• MDA SPACE SELECTED BY MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC FOR NEXT-GENERATION DEFENCE COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE PROGRAM

• Marconi Technologies completes rigorous troposcatter trials in Sweden

• Minister Anandasangaree announces investment to strengthen Canada’s maritime security in the Great Lakes

• G&M: Luxembourg will serve as new defence bank’s European base, Carney says

• Minister Anand meets with Turkish counterpart

• Brewster: Canada puts $800M Griffon helicopter upgrade on hold over technical complexity

• Jason Beattie Appointed as Managing Director - Canada for Marshall Land Systems

• McMaster enters Baltic innovation corridor through Canada-led mission

• Royal Military College of Canada offering globally validated Certificate in Accounting

• Prime Minister Carney speaks with Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte

• Canadian Armed Forces conduct Operation NANOOK-TAKUNIQ to strengthen Arctic awareness

• Three Firms Seek to Develop Office Spaces for NATO Defence Bank in Montreal

• Israel withdrawing defence attaché from embassy in Canada

• In Defence of Canada Briefing (Issue 16)

• Canada backs Greenland mine producing metal crucial to defence industries

• Senior leaders of Edmonton-based infantry battalion reinstated after investigation

• Heading west: DEFSEC brings Canada’s defence industry to Calgary

• Carney says he and Trump discussed defence priorities, Arctic ahead of the NATO summit

• Canada and Britain Launch Advanced Drone Warfare Training at Alberta Range, But Capability Gaps Persist

• Here's where Canada’s new $7 billion warships will be tested

• EXCLUSIVE: ‘One decision will not kill Norad,’ U.S. ambassador says of Canada’s possible mixed fighter jet fleet

• Update to DAOD 5019-1, Personal Relationships, in formal response to Arbour Report recommendation

• Installation of “No Trespassing” signage at Canadian Forces Ammunition Depot Bedford

• Vice-Admiral Topshee reflects on his time as Commander of the RCN

• NAVRES Supporting CFLTC: Reservists Needed to Sustain and Expand Training Delivery

• The Bugle Called and Forth They Went: Multimedia Performance Brings the History of No. 2 Construction Battalion to CFB Esquimalt

• A wide-ranging career in the Engineers

• CAF members with children aged 12 and under: Help improve child care in your community

• IDEaS Marketplace 2026: From research to readiness

• Lead the way in Special Operations Aviation

• The presentation of the first DISTANTIA bars for remote warfare

• Your guide to DND’s Early Retirement Incentive (ERI)

• On the ice of history: One of the oldest National Defence sports tournaments celebrates its 58th edition

• New military service pay to recognize CAF members’ service

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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 new Rations through the National Combat Rations Program has been updsted with new documentation

• The RFI for the Worldwide Satellite Communications Protected Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) Tactical (WSC-PMT) Project has been updated with new documentation

• The RFI for the Heavy Direct Fire Modernization (HDFM) and Medium Cavalry Vehicle (MCAV) Projects has been updated with new Q&A

• The RFP for the dry docking refit of CCGS Jean Goodwill has been updated with new documentation

• An Advance Contract Award Notice has been posted to signal the government’s intention to award a contract to PricewaterhouseCoopers for advisory services related to the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project

• The RFP for In Service Support for the Medium‑Long Range Aircraft Platform for Environmental Research has been updated with new documentation

• A new Summary of Findings has been posted for the Surveillance of Space II project, specifically the Space-Based Optical Capability.

• An interesting one. Canadian UAVs has been awarded a new $2,103,102 contract to provide, operate and sustain for the duration of operations a mature maritime uncrewed aircraft system capability in support of an RCN Arctic Offshore Patrol Ship operation. No idea what system it is from their roster. Canadian UAV operates as the distribution partner on several platforms including the Lockheed Indago 4, Textron Aerosonde, and PDW C100. This is NOT related to the AOPS UAS project.

• Ribbit has been awarded a new $ 2,775,587.40 contract as part of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Innovative Solution Canada – Testing Stream program for advanced sensing and perception system for crewed aircraft, uncrewed aircraft, and airborne ISR platforms

• Commodores Boats has been awarded a new $49,374 contract for CCGS Neocaligus Drydocking and Refit

• Verreault Navigation has been awarded a new $297,718 contract for the Dry Docking of CCGS Pierre Radisson

• AEREX Avionics has received a new amendment to their contract for Military Systems Modelling and Simulation

• Kraken Robotics has received a new amendment to their contract for the Remote Minehunting and Disposal Systems

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• Kepler Communications has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on the companies capabilities and offerings, particularly surrounding Arctic sovereignty, innovation procurement, optical inter-satellite communication systems

• Theon Sensors has filed a new record with Wellington Advocacy looking to engage the Federal Government on how best to improve transparency and competitiveness about defense procurement. One day they will forgive the DND, but not today.

• Pratt & Whitney Canada has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including Defence procurement policy, the F-35, Unmanned Air Vehicles, the Strategic Innovation Fund, and ongoing R&D activities and support.

• Shearwater Aerospace has filed new record with Summa Strategies looking to engage the Federal Government to formalize Original Equipment Manufacturer requirements into the federal procurement framework

• Nokia Canada has filed a new record with StrategyCorp looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including secure Communications Networks, Data Centers, Cloud, Wireless Networks and application platforms

• Enstructure has filed a new record with Sussex Strategy Group looking to engage the Federal Government on the company and their expansion into Canada

• Nano One Materials has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on the battery supply chain ecosystem, cathode active material (CAM), amd look for support

• Quaterna Autonomous has filed a new record with MDF Strategies looking to engage the Federal Government on the companies capabilities and offerings

• Calian Group has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on fudning and procurement opportunities

• Strix Aero has filed new record looking to engage the Federal Government on potential and future funding opportunities

• Draganfly has filed new communications detailing meeting with Wendy Hadwen

• Thales Canada has filed new communications detailing meeting with VCDS Angus Topshee and Renee Filiatrault

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• We can confirm more officially that there are serious talks about splitting CDC and FASST-V to multiple shipyards. How this looks procurement wise is yet to be seen, but likely this means at least separate design and build contracts.

• While it's been a bit up in the air for a while now, it seems all the SATCOM projects (so Worldwide Wideband, Worldwide Narrowband, Worldwide SATCOM Protected MILSATCOM Tactical, and Worldwide SATCOM Protected MILSATCOM Strategic) are all now aligned to the 2032/33 IOC timeline

• The RCN is officially ramping up efforts to acquire a Direct Energy capability for surface vessels. While the Naval Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations concept had teased it, there is apparently efforts to ramp up the fielding of a proper DEW system

• I guess I should mention that other concepts out there include fielding a cheap Anti-UxS missile below ESSM and exploring potential Drone-on-Drone defence systems. The Advanced Naval Capabilities Unit is keeping busy.

• The Navy is also pushing ahead with both new Lightweight UUV and at least one MCM USV. Not new, but we do have IOC dates of 2027 and 2028 respectively that we were able to confirm but I kinda forgot to ever mention.

• Who needs an autonomous mothership when you have an AOPS? Autonomous Offshore Patrol Ship am I right?

• I for one welcome my AI-Powered Arctic Overlords. Glory to Dewolf.

• Some funny future stuff that I can't really talk about yet, but the RCAF has a ‘Hanger Dark’ concept on the books.

• Speaking of projects of interest getting moved up. The Remote Deployable Digital ATC Tower (RDDAT) Project is apparently looking at get speed up,as is the Unit Weapons Training System. UWTS is a longstanding concern given the outright obselete training systems in place. RDDAT is one im looking with a bit more skepticism because it is fairly young, and not my own priority but sometimes projects are just pushed through because they have a path to get done quick. Could also be trying to tie it closer to the Air Navigation Aid System Replacement project.

• One more timeline confirmed, but the Autonomous Depth Assessment System, which aims to acquire seven autonomous platforms for reconnaissance and assessment of crossing areas before conducting wet gap crossing operations apparently has an IOC date of 2027/2028. So there's that.

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