This Week in Defence (08/10/26): Alberta, Canadian Strike Concept, Telesat Secures ESCP-P Contract, Selling CC130, Quantum DISH, Otokar Appears, MBDA France Too, And ST, ADM Shuffle, Minor HDFM Update

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Happy Monday Everyone!

I hope you all had a great weekend. We've definitely hit the dry season, where news really slows apparently and people have just vanished. It's a short news week AGAIN, dominated primarily by missiles and sattelites, and also MORE DRONES

We do however get some fun stuff this week, Otokar makes themselves known, a rare Turkish lobby, MDBA France and ST Engineeringare back, so is Railotech. We also have some fun politics going on, an ADM shuffle and Alberta making a big move all headline this issue.

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 (08/08/26): The Holy Munitions, The Navy & UxS, ARes APC, Turkish Drones, NSM, Blackhawk Mania

• Government of Canada advances major infrastructure project to strengthen public and animal health, border protection and security science

• ThinkOn and AVSS Give Canadian Public Safety and Defence a Sovereign Alternative to Hyperscaler-Hosted TAK

• Small Update On The Canadian Deep Precision Strike Capability Initative

• AVSS Releases 2026 Edition Of The Drone Market Map

• Government of Canada conditionally sells retired CC-130H Hercules aircraft to protect Canadians by strengthening Canada’s private sector aerial firefighting capacity

• CANADIAN CONSORTIUM SELECTED TO ADVANCE QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY FOR PROTECTING NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY

• MDA SPACE APPOINTS JOHN FARRELL & STEPHEN SPENGLER TO ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

• Minister McGuinty launches Canada’s first Quantum Defence Innovation Secure Hub to strengthen defence capabilities

• Minister McGuinty to mark major milestone for Laboratories Canada facility in Ottawa

• Operation North Pacific Guard strengthens relations with Japan, monitors high seas fisheries during Pacific-wide patrol

• Royal Canadian Navy Showcases First Look at Canadian UAVS Textron Aerosonde UAS On Max Bernays

• Secretary of State Fuhr to announce new measures to protect Canadians by supporting private sector emergency response capabilities

• Volatus and Kraus Hamdani Aerospace Partner to Establish Sovereign Canadian Persistent Intelligence Capability

• Volatus Aerospace Partners with Singular Aircraft to Introduce Heavy-Lift Autonomous Aircraft for Canadian Wildfire Response

• North Vector Dynamics Receives Strategic Investment from Leading European Industrial Defence Group CSG

• North Vector Dynamics Appoints General Tom Lawson as Strategic Advisor

• Arctia to deliver icebreaking services in the Canadian Arctic in late 2026

• Telesat secures $2.3 billion Arctic military satcom contract, expanding Telesat Lightspeed network and capacity by 44%

• MDA SPACE AWARDED $474 MILLION TO EXPAND THE TELESAT LIGHTSPEED LEO CONSTELLATION

• The Government of Canada awards a military communications contract to support Arctic sovereignty and national security

• The Canadian Strike Complex

• Banks look to lend to defence companies, but many lack the track record to qualify

• Canada pays no entry fee as an observer in the next-generation jet fighter program, feds say

• How Canada Can Become a NATO Power Player

• Newfoundland and Labrador: How a Geographic Frontline is overlooked in Canadian Defence Policy

• Rebalancing or retreat? Canada’s peacekeeping legacy fades away

• Canada’s Peacekeeping Legacy Should not be Snuffed Out

• In Defence of Canada briefing: A $2.3B space communications contract and the SpaceX rideshare launch freeze

• Minister McGuinty Concludes Alberta Visit Focused on Defence Innovation

• Canadian universities and the new defence imperative: the case in favour

• Canada’s top soldier says N.L. has vital role in defence

• CAF sailors return to the Northwest Arm

• HMCS Ville de Québec reaches European waters with SNMG1

• CANSOFCOM Headquarters: Your opportunity to make an impact

• RCAF establishes new Security Forces occupation to meet evolving operational requirements

• Award-winning collaboration delivers results at the G7 Summit

• S1 Shin: Resilience in the face of setbacks

• How Canada’s Navy is preparing to fight drones

• Lt (N) Seed reflects on journey from Hawai‘i and back

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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.

• An ACAN has been released for the dry docking and refit of CCGS Grenfell, with Canada stating only one supplier has the capacity to berth her in the required window

• The RFP for the Fall 2026 dry docking of CCGS Sir William Alexander has been updated with a new closing date

• The RFP for the Autumn 2026 refit of CCGS Des Groseilliers has been updated with new documentation

• The RFI for the Command and Control (C2) Tools for the Land Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance Modernization (LISRM) project 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 RFSA for the Defence Drone Initiative (DDI) Marketplace has been updated with new documentation

• The RFP for the Uncrewed Aircraft System - Light has been updated with new Q&A

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• Global Relay Communications has filed a new record with Edelman looking to engage the Federal Government on AI infrastructure and data security policies, as well as the companies workflow automation offerings.

• Railo Technology Canada, the former Aker Arctic, has filed a new record with Sandstone Group looking to engage the Federal Government on contract opportunities for vessel design, port infrastructure, and terminal ice management, as well as Arctic port development policy. Wonder what they throw for CDC… I imagine they'll try something.

• SFL Missions has filed a new record with Counsel Public Affairs looking to engage the Federal Government on the commercialization of the companies small satellite technology.

• L3Harris Technologies Canada has filed a new record with Sandstone Group looking to engage the Federal Government on various defence contract opportunities.

• Kongsberg Geospatial has filed a new record with Summa Strategies looking to engage the Federal Government on procurement opportunities in aerospace, defence, maritime, and public safety.

• Le Groupe Océan has filed a new record with PAA Advisory looking to engage the Federal Government on National Shipbuilding Strategy opportunities, pilotage service contracts, and programs supporting shipyards.

• Aerial Vehicle Safety Solutions has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on drone regulation, safety standards, and dual-use innovation.

• De Havilland Aircraft of Canada has filed a new record with StrategyCorp looking to engage the Federal Government on procurement support for the companies DHC-6 Twin Otter and Twin Otter Guardian, SD3-60 Sherpa, and Longview’s CL-515 aerial firefighting aircraft.

• ST Engineering is back, and has filed a new record with Samuel Associates looking to engage the Federal Government on maritime security, naval modernization, AI-enabled C5ISR, cybersecurity, and related procurement opportunities.

• Modular Building Institute has filed a new record with Proof Strategies looking to engage the Federal Government on modular construction regulations, steel tariffs, and adoption of modular construction for affordable housing, education, and healthcare.

• NordSpace has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on funding, licensing, and permitting for the space industry and the companies domestic end-to-end launch systems.

• GEC Aviation has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on how the companies products can support national security, defence procurement, and transportation.

• Marshall Land Systems has filed a new record with Barrack Hill Public Affairs looking to engage the Federal Government on defence policy, procurement modernization, and contract opportunities for the companies deployable infrastructure, integrated platform solutions, and managed support services.

• IDS North America has filed a new record with Bluesky Strategy Group looking to engage the Federal Government on contract opportunities for a variety of defence and security products.

• BluMetric has filed a new record with Bluesky Strategy Group looking to engage the Federal Government on contract opportunities for the companies clean water solutions.

• MBDA has filed a new record with FMJ Solutions looking to engage the Federal Government on a contract to provide naval missiles. No idea what exactly they're going for. I have ideas but no clue.

• Otokar has arrived! The Turkish vehicle manufacturer has filed a new record with Anka Bridge Consulting looking to engage the Federal Government on procurement opportunities for the companies vehicles. No idea what they could be trying to jump on here, or if they're getting a feel. Tulpar trying to jump on MCAV would be hilariously fun in shaking things up.

• Qikiqtaaluk Arctic Economic Development has filed a new record with Barrack Hill Public Affairs looking to engage the Federal Government on potential funding for the development of the Qikiqtarjuaq Deep Sea Port in Nunavut.

• GTDS has filed a new record with NorthStar Public Affairs looking to engage the Federal Government on defence procurement management, export market development, and military donation programs.

• Leonardo Canada has filed a new record with Sandstone Group looking to engage the Federal Government on defence and security procurement.

• 49North has filed a new record with Prospectus Associates in Corporate Development looking to engage the Federal Government on defence funding and policy, multi-domain C4ISR, advanced sensing and radar, autonomous systems, and in-service support programs.

• Thales Canada has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on defence industrialization, shipbuilding and Coast Guard capabilities, C4ISR, sensors and optronics, cybersecurity and AI, and export permit policies.

• Ammolux has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with James Cudmore

• Algoma Steel has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Peter Hammerschmidt, Assistant Deputy Minister, and Saleem Sattar, Director General, at National Defence.

• Draganfly has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Christiane Fox, Deputy Minister at National Defence.

• MHI RJ Aviation has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Jeffery Smyth, Major General at National Defence.

• Aecon Group has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Christiane Fox, Deputy Minister at National Defence.

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• There are very heavy rumors that Alberta and the Federal Government will strike a new, major framework agreement on defence, covering multiple topics and Investments. Details at the moment are.still very much in flux, but at least one thing seems garunteed, the opening up of Suffield to both private testing and, potentially, private facilities. It is said that the agreement would be 'significant' by some.

• There is a major, quiet shifting of some ADM coming or already ongoing, while not announced, several folks are expected to receive new positions in relation to the DIA. This comes after our prebious report several months ago that a major ADM reshuffling was likely in the summer. Out of respect, we won't say any names or position ahofts directly.

• At least one thing is certain for HDFM, it seems like we will almost certainly be getting new tanks, and skipping any modernizations or reusing existing hulls. This was previously an option examined, but now seems to be out of contention

• This isn't really a shock, because it is when you expect stuff, but Army Week apparently has several big announcements planned, which I guess isnt much of a rumor. Of course Army Week will have some announcements, but one of you asked so here is the answer.

• Expect some big stuff next weekend, like some pictures of planes and stuff

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