This Week in Defence (10/20/25): LUV update, CFN everywhere, Dash-8 to the Coast Guard, Leo Modernization

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Happy Monday everyone!

Today is a very busy day! Last week's newsletter felt short, and this one feels absolutely massive! We've got a lot of ground to cover, but first, we will be starting a series of trials over the next few weeks as part of modernization.

This will include some trialing of new formats and ideas for the newsletter. Dont worry! The core will remain the same, however we will be taking some of your survey suggestions into account and testing some new things.

This week we've kept the Lobbying updates, those aint going, but we have cut out the meeting section, something many of you felt was to cluttering. We also took note that these links, even compared to the general lobbying Updates, were barely touched.

So this week we're trying without them! Let me know what you think, and if you have any other ideas!

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News

• The True North Strategic Review is currently hosting our end of the year survey! Submissions are open until November 15th!

• We're also making some changes starting this week to how we distribute content, and other modernization initatives

• The folks at CanadaxEurope were kind enough to send me love this week, so I'm returning the favor and telling you to check them out!

• Yes, Canada need Sealift (but not what you think)

• A Canadian delegation, including Deputy Minister Beck visited TKMS yard in Kiel last week.

• Speaking of which, the German and Norwegian Ministers of Defence to visit Canada this week, and not just for CPSP

• Prime Minister Carney to visit the Indo-Pacific region to deepen trade and defence relationships and unlock new economic opportunities for Canadians + Lots of thoughts from Noah

• What will you do when the river becomes shallow and the roads are gone?

• AUSA 2025: First Looks at Increment 4 PRSM

• NATO Allies cooperate on next-generation training capability

• Arcfield Canada Welcomes Luc Sabourin as Vice President of Canadian Operations

• Minister McGuinty attends NATO Defence Ministers’ Meetings

• Telesat purchases real estate in Timmins to develop Landing Station site for Telesat Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network

• The Department of National Defence Provides Updates on Canadian Armed Forces Housing Across Canada

• Stellantis and Roshel Unveil New Armored Vehicle Lineup at IACP 2025

• Roshel Unveils Armored Ford Bronco for Law Enforcement at IACP 2025

• Dominion Dynamics Launches to Build Canada's Sovereign Defence Future

• South Korean defence company seeks dozens of Canadian partners in bid to win submarine deal

• Robotics firms want in on Canada's defence spending spree

• Canada's plan to donate refurbished armour to Ukraine appears to be on the scrap heap

• Feds’ new industrial strategy falls short on ambition, needs clearer objectives for defence procurement, say experts

• Canada boosts Arctic defenses, partners with Finland and US to modernize NORAD

• Opinion: SMEs want to help National Defence, but the system holds them back

• ‘Small but mighty’ Kingston-class celebrated as five ships paid off

• Boeing Stearman Kaydet lands at air training museum

• Women, Peace and Security Conference 2025 to mark 25 years of progress

• Claims period now open for the CAF Systemic Racism Class Action

• Building a healthier workplace: International Conflict Resolution Day

• Defence Team members in South Korea: ULCHI FREEDOM SHIELD 25

• In a world of change, the CAF’s Seamless Canada initiative remains a constant

• From prevention to screening: What Defence Team members need to know about lung cancer

• Celebrate Public Service Neurodiversity Week

• CAF Compensation Phase One: Key Information for Members

• Defence Team Word Puzzle | October 20

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Project Updates

• The Invitation to Qualify for the Light Utility Vehicle (LUV) Project has been re-released! At first glance there isnt much different here from before. I will write about it tomorrow though. I had a feeling we were getting this before the end of October.

• The Request for Standing Offer for a Satellite-on-the-Move (SOTM) capability has been updated with new documentation

• The RFI for the Tactical Command and Control Information System (TacC2IS) project has been updated with new information about a virtual Industry Day to take place in Monday, November 3rd at 13:00 EST - 16:00 EST.

• The design contract for the Mid-Shore Multi- Mission (MSMM) vessel has been updated with new documentation.

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Lobbying Updates

• Lockheed Martin Aeronautics has filed a new record with CFN Consultants looking to dicuss ongoing contracts for aircraft acquisitions and In-Service Support

• Lockheed proper has filed another, similar record also with CFN Consultants, but clarified some of the opportunities being discussed including Future Fighter Lead-In Trainer (FFLIT) and the CC-130J Block 8.1 Upgrade Project

• Bombardier has filed a new record looking to 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

• Magellan Aerospace has filed a new record with CFN Consultants looking to engage the government on Aircraft components and Rockets and stuff. (Should note that Magellan is part of the Munition Supply Program)

• Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) has filed a new record with CFN Consultants looking to promote various products, including Unmanned Systems, Air/Ground-Based Radar Systems, and CUAS technologies.

• General Dynamics Ordnance & Tactical Systems Canada has filed a new record with CFN Consultants looking to engage the government on its ongoing review of the Munition Supply Program and future Munition contracts

• Arcfield Canada has filed a new record with CFN Consultants looking to engage about the ongoing Optimized Weapon System Management (OWSM) program for the CF-18 Fleet.

• L-3 Technologies has filed a new record with… CFN Consultants… looking to engage on various procurement opportunities

• Colt Canada has filed a new record with, guess who? CFN Consultants looking for governmwnt support as part of ongoing small arms procurement projects

• Telesat Canada has filed a new record with CFN CONSULTANTS looking to engage the government on commercial and defence related satellite programs

• General Motors of Canada Company has filed a new record with you know who looking to engage the governemnt on ongoing pepcurement opportunities. Both LUV and LFE are named

• Nordspace has filed a new record with CFN, shocking, looking to engage the Federal government on multiple different issues.

• Im not even mad at CFN ir anything. Get your bag. I can honestly respect filing everything for everyone all in one week. Sure fam, why not.

• Gastops has filed a new record with CFN looking to engage the government on its offerings.

• Kongsberg Geospatial has filed a new record with CFN looking to engage the government on its offerings.

• WE BREAK THE CHAIN. CAE has filed a new record with Prospectus Associates looking to engage the government on multiple issues.

• SAAB has filed a new record with Sandstone Group looking to engage the government on its offerings.

• We're back. De Havilland Aircraft of Canada has filed a new record with CFN looking to engage the government on its offerings. They removed reference to the Sherpa. Sad.

• North Vector Dynamics has filed a new record with Summa Strategies looking to engage the government on its CUAS solutions

• Dominion Dynamics has filed a new record with Barrack Hill Public Affairs looking to showcase its offerings to the governwmnt, primarily the companies Dual-Use solution for Arctic Awareness and Communications.

• Draganfly has filed a new record with Rubicon Strategy Inc looking to showcase its offerings, primarily in the field of Unmanned Aerial Systems.

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Rumors & Speculation

• There is talks of transferring the responsibility of the Transport Canada Dash-8 fleet and the National Aerial Surveillance Program fully to the Canadian Coast Guard. This is apparently still only an idea, but has been proposed. This would bring the program, and the aircraft under the DND banner.

This has apparently been a want from some for a while. Theres still a lot in the air about the Coast Guard move and how far its expansion will go, however its recognized that this may present the wider opportunity to do a mass restructuring of assets and capabilities, consolidating a number of platforms and assets currently scattered around the government under the DND.

There are also talks of renewing or expanding the Dash fleet as part of this, providing another layer of Maritime surveillance caoability to complement platforms like the P8 and MQ-9. I imagine there is still a lot being debated, and fought over.

However it seems that this simple move is slowly morphing into something bigger.

• Our first Joint Procurement with the Euros might not be what you think. While a true Tank replacement is still not planned for the next decade, there are talks of a joint procurement with Germany to modernize and expand the existing Leopard II fleet.

The plan would see up to 103 Leopards modernized to, as far as I know, 2A8 standard. That would be a mix of our existing hulls and older hulls from a partner like Germany. This would technically not be an acquisition, but a modernization. Sneaky wording and such.

Remember that $5 billion dollar modernization we discussed a few months ago? Apparently this is the reason the budget was so high. This would also get the fleet out to the 2035 timeline, when a true replacement will be explored. Im still working on getting more details.