This Week in Defence (10/14/25): Arctic Security Cutters, TKMS, F-35, DAME

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Happy belated Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you all enjoyed your long weekends. I know I did! This week is fairly slow. Thats usual for the major holidays, everyone kinda slows down and such.

So I apologize if this week is a bit short. I did a lot of writing at the least. A lot more than I expected. I really need to stop doing so much work on my phone. Its a strain.

Anyways, onto the juicy stuff!

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News

• BREAKING: White House selects Seaspan design for six U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Security Cutters, signs MOU with Davies for five POLAR100 as well.

• On that note, I wrote this week about the Arctic Security Cutter and why it's a win for Canada. I would even go as far as to say it benefits us just as much as it does the Americans

• We also finally talked about TKMS and the Type 212CD a bit this week!

• On more controversial topics, Minister Joly finally spoke about the F-35, and it caused just as much a stir as I expected.

• Let's talk with Noah (10/06/25): More LAV stuff, IFM, lots of CUAS talk, Submarine Support

• Kongsberg Geospatial and NordSpace Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Advance Canada’s Responsive Space Launch Capabilities.

• Minister McGuinty to welcome Canadian Coast Guard to Defence Team

• Where was VAdm Angus Topshee yesterday? (08/10/25)

• World Mental Health Day: MDA Space Partners with A Dollar A Day Foundation

• Irving gives updated look at CCGS Donjek

• Joint statement: Shadow Fleet Task Force

• Canadian Army Command and Staff College paid a visit to the Baltic Defence College

• RCAF statement: Canada, Australia, and United Kingdom trilat meeting

• AUSA 2025: AV Unveils Next Generation of Switchblade® Loitering Munitions

• AUSA 2025: Sikorsky Converts BLACK HAWK® into U-Hawk™, A Battle-Ready Autonomous UAS

• Date for 2025 Korea-Canada Defense Industry Cooperation Roadshow confirmed

• Seaspan awards build contract to Elomatic for Polar Icebreaker program

• Ilmavoimat: Air combat training with the Royal Canadian Air Force in October 2025

• TEAM VIGILANCE WELCOMES FIBREGLASS SOLUTIONS INC. INTO THE VIGILANCE PREFERRED SUPPLIERS PROGRAM

• Securing Canada’s defence future

• Mergers and acquisitions in the defence sector: A strategic lever under high surveillance

• Powering a Postsecondary Pivot: Bold ideas to advance national ambitions in Defence and Space, AI and Energy

• Industry shows ‘cautious optimism’ with new procurement agency, but ‘government needs to deliver,’ say defence experts

• The crown jewel of a defence industrial strategy: An interview with former ADM(Mat) Troy Crosby

• Without saying ‘Golden Dome,’ McGuinty touts U.S. missile defence co-operation

• Teck Resources in talks to supply key defence minerals to Canada and US

• It's 'full steam ahead' for the F-35 program until told otherwise, defence official says

• Why U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats have Canada ‘between a rock and a hard place’

• ‘We are moving forward’: Top soldier says F-35 preparations continue despite government review

• Defence contractor Calian appoints new CEO as it nears end of internal review

• Canadian navy reprimands officer accused of threatening to execute sailors

• With past tensions easing, India and Canada unveil a new strategic framework for robust trade and investment

• Military continues to battle wildfires at CFB Gagetown, no risk to nearby communities

• Navy worried about political fallout if media found out about ‘Officer X’

• UVAD Included in MDA Space Solutions for RCN’s ISTAR Program

• HMCS Ville de Québec pioneers Massive Blood Transfusion training

• Support Our Troops licence plates a big win for CAF members

• Test your cyber skills: Join CAFCYBERCOM’s Capture the Flag challenge

• Supporting CAF spouses through SISIP life insurance

• iCare for CAF: A call to action for a connected, supported, and ready force

• Port Inspection Divers Gain Experience in Summer OJE Program

• Reminder and updates regarding hybrid agreements

• Front line moral support: Captain David Castonguay, 2 Wing Chaplain, at the heart of Cobra Warrior 25-2

• The power of belonging: caring for yourself and others

• Meet the team that helps to identify the CAF’s fallen members

• 19 Wing welcomes Dr. Jenni Gibbons, Canadian Space Agency astronaut

• Defence Team Word Puzzle | October 14

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Project Updates

• A new contract has been awarded to Canadian Maritime Engineering Limited at a value of $700,674.87 for CCGS Cove Isles Alongside Refit

• FELLFAB Limited has been awarded a new contravt valued at $1,782,008.30 for Extreme Cold Sleeping Bags.

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Lobbying Updates

• Armament Survivability has filed a new record with the Fortin Consulting Group lookingnto engage the government on future support to Ukraine.

• Calian Group has filed a new record looking to engage on Canada's defence and space policies respectively, as well as to inquire about future plans.

• Bombardier has filed a new record lookingnto engage the Federal Government on several different topics.

• Thales Canada has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on several dufferent issues, including ITB policy, the Strategic Innovation Fund, and future opportunities with the RCN and CCG

• Vancouver Shipyards has filed a new communication detailing meetings with MND David McGuinty, Deputy Minister Stefanie Beck, CRCN Angus Topshee, Hilary Hendriks, and Wendy Hadwen

• Armatec Survivability has filed new communications detailing meetings with Cory Pike and Muntaha Ahmed

• Arctic Gateway Group has filed new communications detailing meetings with Jean-Marc Doucet, Robert Thompson, and Stephanie Chaput

• Bombardier has filed new communications this week detailing meetings with Secretary of State (Defence Procurement) Stephen Fuhr and Arianne Reza

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Rumors & Speculation

• Something is going on at Suffield, allegedly. I don't know details yet but hopefully in the next few days I will

• Some sort of major announcement is appsrently planned for before the budget. Don't know what, but I'll work on it.

• Expect some new stuff out of Roshel soon!

• Remember how we talked about DAME being a project looked to be moved up? The new plan calls for a contract award in 2027. Theres also been some talk about expanding the scope of the project.