This Week in Defence (10/13/26): Bill C-40, Dominion & Tencore, Galaxia & MLS, CSG Buys Stake In MDA, AtkinsRéalis & DRAKKAR, New DDI RFP, New UAS Contract, Strategic Partners

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Hey Gang.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! It's back to a more usual week after a few short ones! I expext things to pick up for the end of October to December rush before we're hit eith the holidays, whichnare very fastly approaching us!

This week is C-40 dominated on our end, along with some surprise announcements from CSG, Dominion, and Galaxia. We also have a new DDI project, a new Drone contract, and some Army rumors!

I won't keep you waiting though, let's just right into things!

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!

• Let’s Talk with Noah (10/12/26): A Bunch Of MCAV, E7 Being Old Or Stuff, Deep Strike, LUV, 212CD

• Prime Minister Carney to visit Türkiye to advance partnership across trade and investment, energy, and defence

• Canadian UAVs’ Sparrowhawk Enables Safe BVLOS Flight for the Royal Canadian Navy’s New CU-179 Peregrine

• Government of Canada introduces legislation to accelerate defence procurement, strengthen Canadian industry, and reinforce Canadian sovereignty

• Thales and Cohere Reach New Milestone as Royal Canadian Navy Advances AI Adoption

• Working together to protect jobs: Mayor Berry Vrbanovic and Senator Sandra Pupatello convene procurement and defence-sector leaders to support local businesses

• Corelight establishes Corelight Canada

• Let’s Talk About Bill C-40

• Airbus Helicopters and Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies partner to advance Indigenous aerospace training capabilities in Canada

• BMT launches submarine learning initiative to support Canada’s future underwater capability workforce

• Team StrīQ formed to advance Canada’s next generation air training capability and readiness requirements

• Volatus Aerospace Completes the Initial ISR Drone Fleet Delivery to NATO Partner

• Galaxia and Maritime Launch Services Announce Partnership to Develop Autonomous Flight Safety System for Spaceport Nova Scotia

• GECCO Showcases Canadian-Made Next-Gen Hardware Platform for Sovereign and Secure Edge AI at DEFSEC Atlantic

• AtkinsRéalis and DRAKKAR Sign MoU to Advance Made-in-Canada Defence Solutions

• ENVGO and Open Ocean Robotics Join Forces to Deliver Sovereign Maritime Uncrewed Solutions

• Commissionaires and Brassets Group form strategic partnership to advance Canadian security capability

• Minister McGuinty visits CFB Edmonton to highlight Canada’s defence investments in Alberta

• Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and Department of National Defence Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Strengthen Marine Sensing and Ocean Innovation

• Genoa Design International and atlantiq AI Launch Multi-Year Partnership to Advance AI-Enabled Ship Design

• BDC expands partnerships to help defence companies access opportunities and scale

• Ontario Tech opens new pathway to strengthen Canada’s defence capabilities

• Where Was Mr. Fuhr Today? (10/10/26)

• Newfoundland and Labrador Showcases Defence-Ready Capabilities at DEFSEC Atlantic

• Breaking: CSG enters the space sector through investment in MDA Space

• Dominion Dynamics and TENCORE partner to manufacture uncrewed ground vehicles in Canada for Ukraine, adding Canadian autonomy stack

• Marconi and U.S. Army C5ISR Center Work to Keep Autonomous Systems Connected

• Billions more for defence, but Canada’s military still faces an old budget squeeze

• Canada’s defence industry tilting eastward and Halifax has wide base for growth

• Halifax hosting defence firms at record-breaking conference amid protests

• Reports of US meddling a ‘very serious matter’: defence minister

• As Canadian defence spending ramps up, London firms excited about opportunities

• None of 14 defence properties flagged for housing built on, officials tell committee

• France open to defence deals with Canada despite its push for arms autonomy: envoy

• NATO innovation exercise puts emerging defence technologies to the test in Nova Scotia

• Former defence chief warns Canada must defend its North or risk U.S. intervention

• HCapt Sangster embraces new role with HMCS St. John’s

• Health Expo 2026: Strengthening wellness across the Defence community

• Below the surface: How autonomous systems could protect Canada

• NDWCC Raffle: Win RAdm Belhumeur’s Parking Spot!

• CFB Esquimalt Tritons Seize Commodores Cup

• Arctic partnerships strengthened during Operation ARCTIC VANGUARD

• Jumping from a plane to mark the Canadian Army transformation

• Canadian ships clear historical ordnance

• Rest for success: Sleep resources for CAF members

• Honouring achievement: Celebrating Excellence Awards

• From ideas to defence capability: IDEaS is turning innovation into solutions for the CAF

• Students and Naval Reservists: Apply now for Summer 2027 Inshore Rescue Boat crews

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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 six new notices this week. We have an RFSA for Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace Round, an RFP for the Domestic UAS Bulk Purchase, an RFP for the drydocking refit of CCGS Capt. Jacques Cartier, an RFP for a Versatile Quadruped Robot, and an RFI for Weapons Effect Simulation Modernization (WESM) that have been released

• The RFP for Trackway Launch and Recovery Systems (TLARS) 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 drydocking and refit of CCGS Vector has been updated with new documentation

• The MDB for the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability Passenger and Cargo Processing and Handling at 8 Wing Trenton has been updated with new documentation

• The RFSA for Light Duty Vehicles has been updated with new documentation

• The RFP for Simulated Battlefield Training Support Services has been updated with new documentation

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

• The IDEaS project for RF Data Fusion for Command and Control has been updated with new documentation

• The RFP for Advanced Homemade Explosives Training has been updated with new documentation

• The RFP for the vessel life extension of CCGH Siyay has been updated with new documentation

• The NPP for the Counter-Uncrewed Aerial System (C-UAS) National Array 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 Fall 2026 drydocking of CCGS Sir William Alexander has been updated with new documentation

• A contract has been awarded to Robotics Testing & Surveillance Builders for $330,912.50 for First Person View (FPV) quadcopter drone kits. I can't say for certain but I am assuming this is supplying their GRIFF kits, as the requewst was for unassembled models.

• A contract has been awarded to GIP Technical Solutions for $3,155,380.82 for the alongside refit of CCGS Molly Kool

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• Polytechnique Montréal has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including immigration and visas for international students and researchers, research and innovation funding, and funding opportunities for its research centres and campus infrastructure

• MHI RJ Aviation has filed a new record with Crestview Strategy looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including procurement opportunities for aircraft related services, retaining aerospace intellectual property in Canada, and support for domestic aviation R&D and production

• Quantum Industry Canada has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including the Defence Industrial Strategy, the National Quantum Strategy, the DND/CAF Quantum 2030 implementation plan, and funding opportunities

• Omnissa has filed a new record with The Capital Hill Group looking to engage the Federal Government on contract opportunities for its digital solutions

• Global Battery Materials has filed a new record with Bluesky Strategy Group looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including funding opportunities to restart an Ontario graphite mine and build a battery materials processing facility, critical mineral regulation, and supply chain security

• Evertz Microsystems has filed a new record with RKESTRA looking to engage the Federal Government on contract opportunities for its real-time video, audio, and data technology for command centres and defence

• Base Camp Connect has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on contract opportunities for Canadian Army and RCAF tactical communications modernization

• Dominion Dynamics has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including Arctic economic development and dual-use infrastructure, the Defence Industrial Strategy, and procurement opportunities for its Arctic sensing systems and autonomous collaborative platform

• Nanuk Gear Protection has filed a new record with CFN Consultants looking to engage the Federal Government on contract opportunities for its protective hard cases

• Otipêy has filed a new record with Temple Scott Associates looking to engage the Federal Government on social impact investment and partnership opportunities involving Indigenous communities

• FMD Canada has filed a new record with Polaris Advantage looking to engage the Federal Government on the companies capabilities and offerings

• Des Nedhe Management has filed a new record with Sussex Strategy Group looking to engage the Federal Government on Indigenous-led capital participation in defence procurement and the Industrial and Technological Benefits policy

• J.D. Irving has filed a new record with NorthStar Public Affairs looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including defence supply chain opportunities, the Defence Industrial Strategy, forestry, housing, and trade

• Voltari Marine Electric has filed a new record with Catalyze4 looking to engage the Federal Government on contract opportunities in military supply chains

• Torngat Metals has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including a rare earth element hub in Quebec and Labrador, critical minerals policy, and funding opportunities

• Voyageur Aviation has filed a new record with Bowline Insight and Analysis looking to engage the Federal Government on procurement opportunities for aircraft related and support services

• Northstar Earth & Space has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on contract opportunities for its space domain awareness satellite information services

• Roshel has filed a new record with Sandstone Group looking to engage the Federal Government on procurement opportunities for its multi-purpose armoured vehicle

• Kepler Communications has filed a new record with Wellington Advocacy looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including Arctic sovereignty, innovation procurement, and optical inter-satellite communication systems

• Quantum Valley Ideas Laboratories has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on funding opportunities for the research, development, and commercialization of quantum technologies

• NAVAL Group has filed a new record with The Capital Hill Group looking to engage the Federal Government on procurement opportunities for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project and other navy programs

• North Vector Dynamics has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on funding and procurement opportunities for its precision interception, autonomy, and advanced propulsion technologies

• Pelmorex has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including a National Public Alerting System, broadcasting regulation, and support for Canadian media

• Foran Mining has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on funding opportunities for critical mineral production

• MHI RJ Aviation has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Kevin Long, Deputy Project Director for Airborne Early Warning and Control at National Defence, Robert Tyler, Director Air Requirements at National Defence, Lara Jennings, Lieutenant-Colonel at National Defence, Richard Jolette, Colonel and Director Air Requirements (ISR and Domestic) at National Defence, and Brendan Cook, Brigadier-General and Director General Space, Combat and Support at National Defence

• AVSS has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Conor Lewis, Policy Advisor in the Minister’s Office at National Defence

• Ammolux has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with James Cudmore, Chief of Staff, Ministry of Defence Procurement at National Defence

• Evertz Microsystems has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Ezechiel Nana, Regional Advisor (Quebec) to the Minister of National Defence

• NAVAL Group has filed new communications detailing meetings with Justin Milley, Continental Defence Corvette Project Team Lead and Director Naval Requirements at National Defence, and with David Ewart, Deputy Director, Strategic Issues and Analytics at National Defence, and Wendy Hepburn, Deputy Director, Defence Industrial Strategy at National Defence

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Photos Of The Week

4 CRPG hosted soldiers from the Australian Army's NORFORCE for Ex NORTHERN LIGHTS 2026. Sharing tactics and knowledge ensures they can find common solutions, and be more effective in the remote and austere areas they operate in.

The M4 Carl Gustav is being implemented across infantry units. This new capability is now in the hands of our Infantry School, where instructors are being trained to teach soldiers how to employ the weapon effectively.

HMCS Halifax has been successfully floated up and undocked from the Graving Dock. HMCS Halifax is now docked pier side at Halifax Shipyard for continued refit work towards handover to the Royal Canadian Navy in 2027. Well done to all involved in achieving this milestone!

September 13 to 19, 413 Transport and Rescue Squadron was on the ground, in the air, and watching the waves in Newfoundland and Labrador for Exercise TUSKER 2026! But we never watch the waves alone: 413's elite Search and Rescue (SAR) Teams partnered with CASARA, the Canadian Coast Guard, and Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary to demonstrate that true operational readiness is built on interoperability. PAD VIGILAMUS UNDIS - We watch the waves. : Corporal F. Roy and Corporal B. Webb-Brown, 14 Wing Imaging

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• There is an expectationby many that the Federal Government will announce at least one more Strategic Partnership with Industry before the end of the year

• There is rumors that another truck manufacturer is looking to expand into Canada for defence-related activities. We are still working on getting information on this

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