This Week in Defence (09/21/26): Eliot Pence On Budget 2026, Norway, France, Rheinmetall Breaks Ground On Expansion, DSRB, Lots of Space & Kongsberg, Fat Truck, DAME Contract, Defence Policy Rumors

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Hey Gang.

It's a short but inpactful week as we enter into the October rush period! Multiple contracts, Budget 2026, and a some new RFI/RFP are all expected to drop this fall period, making the next two months likely some of the most engaging and fast-paced periods we've had in a long while.

This week though we ain't quite there, but do get some big things dropping fairly subtlety. Anew Strategic Partnership with Norway is in the works, Kongsberg bolsters it's Canadian space partnerships, Rheinmetall goes on the expansion, lots of MDA and we have some more DSRB rumors.

This week we've also kicked off our Budget 2026 commentary series with guest contributor Eliot Pence, Founder & CEO of Dominion Dynamics sharing his thoughts on the upcoming budget. This new series will feature guest commentary throughout the month of October from members across Industry, Academia and maybe even government as it relates to budget 2026.

We also have some new DAME and Defence Policy rumors this week as we head into October. It's the fun time of the year folks! And we're just getting things started.

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

• Our self-declared sister publication Canadian Explorers has a new spotlight this week with Bachar Elzein, CEO and Founder, Reaction Dynamics

• Let’s Talk with Noah (09/19/26): Brampton, Zetros, Sealift, Korea, ACV-W, Reserve Infrastructure

• Prime Minister Carney meets with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Andy Burnham, confirms Canada’s application to join Joint Expeditionary Force

• Prime Minister Carney meets with President of France Emmanuel Macron

• Joint statement by Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre

• Where Was Mr. Fuhr Today? (09/15/26)

• BDC allocates $1 billion under its Defence Platform to strengthen Canada’s defence investment ecosystem

• The Canadian Coast Guard welcomes the CCGS Groswater Bay into service

• Open Ocean Robotics Qualifies for Three Streams of Canada’s Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace

• Rheinmetall breaks ground to expand Quebec facility, cementing sovereign land autonomy expertise in Canada

• OCIANA® Qualifies as Supplier under Canada’s Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace

• Sentinel Advanced Military Solutions Launches Integrated Defence Ecosystem Anchored by University of Alberta and $10 Million Lockheed Martin Contribution

• Calian and SkyFall sign strategic agreement to advance drone-enabled defence training and operational readiness

• Duggan: Canada in talks with U.K. about merging defence financing institutions

• Governments of Canada and Manitoba Invest more than $3.8 Million to Strengthen Defence Supply Chain, Create Opportunities for Businesses

• ZenaTech Selected for Canada’s Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace, Expanding Opportunities for ZenaDrone’s AI-Powered Autonomous Drone Solutions

• Welcome to Canada, RCAF CT-157 Siskin II!

• MDA SPACE ANNOUNCES END-TO-END MDA CHORUS™ PRODUCT PORTFOLIO IN ADVANCE OF CONSTELLATION LAUNCH

• Canada Army Run Returns to Downtown Ottawa This Weekend

• Statement from the Minister of National Defence on Military Family Appreciation Day

• From strategy to action: Canada and Japan strengthen defence ties in the Indo-Pacific

• Orange and Telesat inaugurate Europe’s first Telesat Lightspeed Gateway in France

• INNOSPACE Signs Launch Services Distribution Agreement with Canada’s RSAT Space

• KONGSBERG Canada Accelerates Space & Defence Industrial Expansion in Canada with Strategic Agreements with MDA Space and Telesat

• Pence: Why Build–Partner–Buy needs to be a hierarchy

• John Healey in talks with Canada about UK joining new global defence bank

• Business Development Bank of Canada joins NATO’s defence tech investor network

• NATO selects German general as next military committee chair over Canada’s defence chief

• Canada’s building a war-fighting army with tip of spear at CFB Edmonton

• Canada and the EU: An alliance for the future

• Canada’s defence minister calls U.S. deal on Greenland ‘encouraging’

• Winnipeg-area aerospace industry hopes to land federal defence dollars

• Defence Procurement SecState Fuhr to talk about Canadian innovation and defence capability on Sept. 22 at the Château Laurier

• GlobalEye surveillance plane under the microscope as Conservatives call for twin probes

• Investor Outlook: Canada looks to strengthen its satellite industry

• HMCS Robert Hampton Gray marks AOPV milestone with SWOAD certification

• SLt Mitchell Keay Secures Top 20 at Tour de Victoria

• From the Arctic to the front line: Army and industry join forces on uncrewed systems through MINERVA

• Opening of the Courts Ceremony marks the beginning of a new judicial year

• “It was a personal journey.” One member’s path to becoming a Social Work Officer

• Your photos, our CAF: Help build a more representative photo library

• Honouring quiet service: Canadian Intelligence Corps unveils Afghanistan commemorative artwork

• A/SLt Mike Samuels – Never too late to serve

• Avionics Systems Technician selected as national judge at Skills Canada Competition

• Know your responsibilities: Understanding non-exempt assets and liabilities

• DM/CDS Message: Continuing to build the Defence Team of the future and strengthening people management

• Canadian Joint Response Force HQ: New name, continued excellence for CAF’s deployable crisis response headquarters

• Preventing and reporting fraud is a shared responsibility

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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.

• We have two new notices this week. We have an RFP for the Independent Review of the Office of the DND/CAF Ombudsman, and an RFEOI for the A-Jetty Replacement at CFB Esquimalt that have been released

• The DDI RFP for the Autonomous Mine Countermeasures (MCM) Uncrewed Surface Vehicle (USV) has been updated with new documentation

• The Common Heavy Equipment Replacement (CHER) Bundle 3 has been updated with new documentation

• The RFP for Mid-Range Diesel Trucks with Insulated Van Body and Accessories has been updated with new documentation

• The RFP for the Binocular Night Vision Devices Re-Tender has been updated with new documentation

• The RFP for the Chemical-Biological Mask Carrier and Belt, Individual Equipment has been updated with new documentation

• The RFP for the drydocking and refit of CCGS Tanu has been updated with new documentation

• The RFP for the alongside refit of CCGS John P. Tully has been updated with new documentation

• The RFP for the design and construction of the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability Main Operating Base - East at 8 Wing Trenton has been updated with new documentation.

• The RFP for the Basic Military Qualifications Facilities at CFB Borden has been updated with new documentation

• The MINERVA Initiative projects for Uncrewed Air System for Cargo/Munition Drop and Arctic Uncrewed Air System have been updated with new documentation

• A contract has been awarded to Zeal Motor for $200,765.94 for the supply of three Medium Arctic Mobility Vehicle alongside associated equipment & kit

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• Xona Space Systems Canada has filed a new record with Gowling WLG looking to engage the Federal Government on funding opportunities for its Pulsar low Earth orbit navigation satellite constellation

• Zighra has filed a new record with PAA Advisors looking to engage the Federal Government on contract opportunities through the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security program for its AI-enabled threat detection and autonomous defence products

• LIG Defense & Aerospace has filed a new record with Samuel Associates looking to engage the Federal Government on procurement opportunities for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project and NORAD modernization

• Arcfield Canada has filed a new record with Tactix Government Relations and Public Affairs looking to engage the Federal Government on contract opportunities for integrated supply chain and logistics programs for land, sea, and air fleets including the next generation fighter

• Heli-One Canada has filed a new record with Tactix Government Relations and Public Affairs looking to engage the Federal Government on contract opportunities for rotary wing maintenance, repair, and overhaul

• Ligado Networks has filed a new record with NorthStar Public Affairs looking to engage the Federal Government on L-band spectrum policy and a proposed satellite network

• General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has filed a new record with Summa Strategies Canada looking to engage the Federal Government on procurement opportunities for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems

• Thales Canada has filed a new record with Sandstone Group looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including defence industrialization, shipbuilding, in-service support, C4ISR and networking programs, ground vehicles, optronics, military avionics, and cybersecurity and AI solutions

• Coveo Solutions has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on AI adoption and procurement policies

• Ocean Group has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on opportunities under the National Shipbuilding Strategy and programs to support shipyards

• Nunavut Tunngavik has filed a new record with StrategyCorp looking to engage the Federal Government on northern economic and social development

• Modulable has filed a new record with StrategyCorp looking to engage the Federal Government on procurement opportunities for Defence Industrial Strategy construction projects in the Arctic

• Saab Canada has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including aerospace, maritime, land, and training and simulation programs, Industrial and Technological Benefits, and procurement opportunities

• Volatus Aerospace has filed a new record with Barrack Hill Public Affairs looking to engage the Federal Government on contract opportunities for its uncrewed aerial vehicle and drone technologies

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

• Kepler Communications has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including dual-use space-based communications, space domain awareness, Budget 2026, procurement opportunities, and international trade

• Vancouver Shipyards has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on contract opportunities under the National Shipbuilding Strategy and ship repair and overhaul opportunities

• De Havilland Aircraft of Canada has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on procurement opportunities for its Dash 8 special mission aircraft, DHC-515, and Twin Otter, as well as Gripen collaboration with Saab

• Qikiqtaaluk Arctic Economic Development has filed a new record with Fasken Martineau DuMoulin looking to engage the Federal Government on funding opportunities for the Qikiqtarjuaq Deep Sea Port

• Bombardier has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including aerospace industry support, export controls, research and development funding, and defence procurement

• FireSwarm Solutions has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on funding and contract opportunities for its AI-enabled wildfire suppression drone

• BluMetric Environmental has filed a new record with Vision Stratégik Cabinet-Conseil looking to engage the Federal Government on contract opportunities in defence and water treatment for Indigenous and northern communities

• Galaxia Mission Systems has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on contract and funding opportunities for space technology and on procurement practices

• Cohere has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including AI adoption, procurement policies, digital policy and legislation, and the international competitiveness of the domestic AI industry

• GTDS has filed a new record with NorthStar Public Affairs looking to engage the Federal Government on the companies capabilities and offerings as a turnkey partner in international defence procurement

• Draganfly has filed new communications detailing meetings with Lieutenant-General Michael C. Wright, Commander of the Canadian Army at National Defence, and with Quinn Rinke, Regional Advisor West and North, Ministerial Staff at National Defence

• Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Greg Orencsak, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Canada, and Christiane Fox, Deputy Minister of National Defence

• Lockheed Martin has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Vincent Robitaille, Assistant Deputy Minister (Procurement) at Public Services and Procurement Canada, and Heather Sheehy, Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel) at National Defence

• Bombardier has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Christiane Fox, Deputy Minister of National Defence

• Dominion Dynamics has filed new communications detailing meetings with Crysta-Lynn Ferguson, Director General Fighter Capability at National Defence, with Ty Curran, Deputy Director General for International Security Policy at National Defence, with Jacob French, Commodore and Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic, with Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, Commander of the RCAF, and Jeff Smyth, Major-General and Chief Air and Space Force Development, and with Chris McKenna, Major-General and Commander of 1 Canadian Air Division

• CADEX Defence has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Amal Bouamoul, Scientist at Defence Research and Development Canada

• Flying Whales has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Christiane Fox, Deputy Minister of National Defence, Ravi Singh, Director General SID at National Defence, and Ayat Ahmed, Senior Analyst at National Defence

• Stelumar Advanced Manufacturing has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Paola Zurro, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Forces Housing Agency at National Defence

• Railotech has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Kit Hancock, Portfolio Director at the Canadian Coast Guard, Robert Gray, Major Projects Delivery Lead at National Defence, and Jarett Hunt, Project Manager at National Defence

• Arctic Gateway Group has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Peter Hammerschmidt, Assistant Deputy Minister (Infrastructure and Environment) at National Defence, Heather Sheehy, Assistant Deputy Minister at National Defence, Kevin Brosseau, Senior Associate Deputy Minister of National Defence, Wendy Luciani, Chief of Staff to the Deputy Minister of National Defence, and Christiane Fox, Deputy Minister of National Defence

• Qikiqtaaluk Arctic Economic Development has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Gwendolyn Culver, Director of Arctic Policy in the Minister’s Office at National Defence

• Seaspan Shipyards has filed new communications detailing meetings with Alexa Kalsatos, Director of Operations to the Minister of National Defence, and with Cory Pike, Chief of Staff to the Minister of National Defence

• Canada Rocket Company has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Cody Pelletier, Senior Policy Advisor at National Defence

• General Motors of Canada has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Patrick Kelly, Director General at the Defence Investment Agency, Demetrios Xenos, Director General at the Defence Investment Agency, and Mohan Denetto, Director General at Public Services and Procurement Canada

• Magellan Aerospace has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Heather Sheehy, Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel) at National Defence

• Irving Shipbuilding has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Kevin Brosseau, Senior Associate Deputy Minister of National Defence, Heather Sheehy, Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel) at National Defence, and Christiane Fox, Deputy Minister of National Defence

• De Havilland Aircraft of Canada has filed new communications detailing meetings with Judith Bennett, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister at National Defence, with David McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, with Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, Commander of the RCAF, and with Brendan Cook, Brigadier-General and Director General Air and Space Force Development at National Defence

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• There is now serious expectation that a DAME contract is imminent. The reported rumor on our end is that DAME has been expedited along with LUV, and contracts for bith are expected within the next two months. DAME seems likely to come first.

• There are some rumors that Canada might be doing something different with our defence policy update. One of the current ideas floating around is that Canada will put out a strategic-level defence policy that focuses on the wider vision of Canada’s defence policy, while specific project commitments are either left out or commited to seperately in a dedicated investment plan.

We (me) are working very hard to get further details on this. This isntthe only idea being floated out there, but it is one I've heard wuite a bunch now. The current Defence Policy Update is being kept extremely close to chest, so getting info is extremely difficult.

• The Canadian Army is reportedly looking at more strike options to complement Indirect Fires Modernization, HIMARS, and Canadian Deep Precision Strike Capability. Land-Based NSM continues to be the main capability being looked at in this regard, but further looks at OWE and cheap missile systems are also discussed.

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