This Week in Defence (07/21/26): Canada Goes GCAP, More ACSV Ordered, Maple List, More Guardian? M72 In Canada, DAME Goes To Limited Tender, Davie Goes Autonomous, Voyageur Gets New UAS, Even More Gua

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Happy Tuesday Everyone!

I hope you all had a great weekend. Apologies for the day late. If you don't gollow my blogging on X, I have been dealing with a very nasty flu since Thursdayish. While very minor for the first few days, unfortunately ya boy took a turn for the worse and was dealing with a very nasty fever yesterday and today.

It is on the downturn now, luckily, and I am on Amoxicilin though I think it is Viral. I will save details to why, but I am slowly I hope recovering. Either way, today was so busy thay maybe it was good to delay a little bit. Nothing will stop my coverage! I will fight through to get all I had planned this week done.

Anywho, I won't bother anymore. 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!

• Let's Talk with Noah (07/17/26): Sick Noah Edition, 212CD Munitions, Hydrogen, European AMB For Canada? CDC, F-35 Radars

• Minister McGuinty announces new drone hub in Quebec

• Calian and Atlantic Canadian partners form Canada's first integrated Arctic Maritime Security Consortium

• Bombardier Defense to provide the Global 6500 aircraft for a second special mission program in South Korea

• Canadian Coast Guard provides crucial Arctic icebreaking services

• Government of Canada unveils first net-zero-emissions-ready apartments for Canadian Armed Forces members at CFB Edmonton

• DAME Joins LUV, Will Be Heading To Limited Tender

• SkyAlyne and EIC Subsidiary, PAL Aerospace, Reach Agreement for Training, Missionization and Sustainment for the RCAF CT-142Q Citadel

• HMCS Ville de Québec deploys for Operation REASSURANCE

• Politico: Canada to join British-Italian-Japanese fighter jet program

• Prime Minister to Announce New Measures to Strengthen Canada’s Defence Capabilities Tomorrow

• ADM(Mat) Provides New Update on the CU179 Peregrine

• Prime Minister Carney announces landmark partnership with General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada to build new fleet of armoured combat vehicles for the Canadian Armed Forces

• Airbus activities generated $8.4 billion in GDP and supported nearly 60,000 jobs in Canada

• NEO Battery Partners with Korean Drone Manufacturer to Develop & Supply High-Performance Battery Solutions

• Saab and CAE Sign MOU for Gripen in Canada

• Minister of Veterans Affairs congratulates The Royal Canadian Legion on its 100th anniversary

• Canadian Armed Forces rebalances operations to strengthen global footprint

• Government of Canada Awards Victoria In-Service Support Contract Extension to Babcock Canada

• Volatus Aerospace to Showcase Advanced Aerospace, Autonomy and Intelligence Solutions at Farnborough International Airshow

• Ontario Investing Nearly $2.6 Million to Protect Aerospace Workers and Enhance Defence Readiness

• De Havilland Canada and Widerøe Sign Agreement for Dash 8-400 A-Check Escalation Program

• Leduc County, Sturgeon County, City of Cold Lake and Edmonton Airports establish a framework for strategic collaboration

• Minister Joly to announce plans to strengthen Canada’s aerospace sector

• Magellan Aerospace and the Government of Canada Announce Contract to Develop Canadian Production of the M-72 Light Anti-Tank Weapon

• GA-ASI and KONGSBERG Advance JSM Integration for MQ-9B

• QUADRILATERAL Joint Statement on Canada becoming an Observer to GCAP

• Minister Joly announces engagement with Pratt & Whitney Canada to strengthen Canada’s aerospace sector

• Davie Autonomous was founded in Ontario

• Airbus signs agreement with Voyageur for first Airbus U030 Flexrotor order in Canada

• Farnborough 2026: MBDA and General Atomics announce SPEAR integration commitment

• Building Canada’s defence infrastructure

• Breaking down Ottawa's $2 billion defence plan

• Holt says N.B. ready to deliver for Canada as defence spending increases

• How a new multilateral defence bank could boost innovation

• How Ben Machine Products is helping power Canada’s defence push from Vaughan

• In Defence of Canada Briefing (Issue 18)

• St. John’s pushing to become Canada’s defence hub

• Building a more secure North: Canada’s Arctic defence investments in focus

• Source Canada returns with dedicated defence and deep tech tracks

• From steel town to defence powerhouse: How Sault Ste. Marie could become Canada’s defence capital

• HMCS Charlottetown makes rare visit to the Kwajalein Atoll

• Anti-racism committee announced during Black Battalion commemoration ceremony

• Meet the innovator behind Canadian Armed Forces aeromedical evacuations

• Canadian Special Operations Training Centre: Train with us

• Small moments, big impact: A realistic guide to self-care

• Canada leads multinational Maritime Tactical Combat Casualty Care Course at RIMPAC 2026

• Royal Canadian Navy Cyber Team strengthen interoperability during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC)

• Canada launches Uncrewed Systems Defence Innovation Secure Hub

• Canadian leadership shines at Pacific Partnership 2026

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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 dry docking refit of CCGS Jean Goodwill has been updated with new documentation

• The RFP for the Space-Based Optical Capability of Surveillance of Space II has been updated with new documentation

• The RFP for Fixed-Wing Aerial Platforms has been updated with new documentation

• The RFP for the Handheld Active Thermal Infrared Spectroradiometer Design and Development contract has been updated with new documentation

• The RFP for Long Term Solutions for the National Combat Rations Program has been updated with new documentation

• The RFI for the new MARLANT Fuel Barge has been uodated with new Q&A

• The RFI for the Advanced Water Supply System (AWSS) Project has been updated with new documentation

• We have a new Advanced Contract Award Notice for 23 4x4 Ultra-Light Tactical Vehicle that the DND has identified as Polaris MZRZ Alpha or equivalent. These will be delivered to Gagetown and Trenton respectively.

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• Arcfield Canada Corporation has filed a new record with CFN Consultants looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including the ongoing management and renewal of the Optimized Weapon System Management (OWSM) contracts for the CF-188 fleet, support on IRB/ITB plans and reporting, and the pursuit of Integrated Logistic Support contracts

• Inuit Development Corporation Association has filed a new record with RT Associates looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including advocacy for federal policies and programs supporting the business development of Inuit Development Corporations, revision of Federal Government procurement policies for Indigenous businesses, funding to support Inuit participation in business development opportunities, and the meaningful participation of Inuit and Inuit Development Corporations in emerging programs related to NORAD Modernization and Continental and Arctic Defence

• Thales Canada has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including defence industrialization policy in Canada, Canada's Value Proposition and ITB policy, Canadian defence industrial capabilities in shipbuilding and the acquisition of new capabilities by DND and the Canadian Coast Guard, C4ISR and networking programs. Also asking for funding through the Strategic Innovation Fund

• Evertz has filed a new record with David Pratt & Associates looking to engage the Federal Government on potential comtract opportunities for its broadcast equipment and video solutions

• Canada Rocket Company has filed a new record with Sandstone Group looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including contributing to global responsive sovereign missions and opening new commercial markets for Canadian technology companies, launch licences and export controls, leveraging Government of Canada investment in capital-intensive activities, and positioning Canadian technology for future dual-use applications

• ABB has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including electrification, decarbonization, industrial productivity and energy efficiency, and the pursuit of federal contracts for modernization and advanced measurement and control solutions for infrastructure, as well as space-related capabilities.

• Qikiqtaaluk Horizon Arctic Services has filed a new record with Fasken Martineau DuMoulin looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including the award of contracts to lease two icebreakers, expand and refurbish the NewDock port, and acquire a new icebreaker, as well as a federal commitment to new icebreaker servicing capacity

• Jaunt Air Mobility Canada has filed a new record with Sandstone Group looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including the promotion of its drone products for commercialization, securing federal and provincial funding to develop its platforms, and a government contract to provide drones to the CAF

• Les dirigeables Flying Whales Québec has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on funding to develop their 60-tonne-capacity airship concept.

• General Motors of Canada has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including procurement opportunities for LUV, logistic vehicles and supporting infrastructure, and the development of future vehicle purchase programs to support military operations.

• Pomerleau has filed a new record with NorthStar Public Affairs looking to engage the Federal Government on the companies capabilities and offerings

• Aecon Group has filed a new record with NorthStar Public Affairs looking to engage the Federal Government on the companies capabilities and offerings

• Iristel has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including telecommunications regulations and standards, the role of disruptive technologies such as AI in connectivity and digital sovereignty, and VoIP commerce and taxation

• Bell Textron Canada has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including the next Tactical Aviation Capability Set (nTACS), funding for the development and commercialization of new Bell helicopters, and access to public procurement under the Canada–EU CETA and the SAFE (Security Action for Europe) instrument.

• Vancouver Shipyards has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including securing and managing defence and Coast Guard contracts under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), ship repair and overhaul opportunities, and a possible change to biometrics collection policy

• IMT Group has filed a new record with Massey Advisory looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including securing additional procurement for its precision-manufactured defence products, the Munitions Supply Program (MSP), federal industrial and research incentives for R&D, and a larger role for the company in support of the defence industrial strategy

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• There are some early rumors that the RCAF might be interested in more MQ9B. While numerous drone projects are on the table, same numerous capabilities, the Guardian has managed to turn a lot of heads, especially as it becomes a common platform for integrating new capabilities. There are a few who debate if more might be useful or needed.

• Also on Drones and such, some of you attended yesterday, but the CAF has officially launched it's building of the Uncrewed Ecosystem beyond MINERVA. Call it Maple List, it will have a list similar to the Blue List but it does go beyond.

This new Initative aims to build out a Domestic, Canadian-Supported list of prequalified suppliers that could be rapidly contracted at scale for numerous capabilities, primarily related to the Autonomous and UAS sectors. The five categories being looked into are Uncrewed and counter uncrewed systems and components, Data electronic warfare and cyber systems, Test, evaluation and training services, Systems integrators, and Innovation and experimentation opportunities.

Systems of focus include Low-cost, attrtionable, tactical ISR Systems, UGV, Modular explosive payload for Uncrewed Systems, Low-cost counter drone interceptors with low collateral effects, and Deep Precision Strike Systems.

The UGV RFI should serve as a basis for what much of this will look like. The focus will be on low-cost, commercial-blended, attrtionable systems that can be manufactured domestically at scale. We should hear more in a few days once things are posted.

• Expect more Munition announcements in the coming weeks, all I can say but there are some cool discussions going on.

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