This Week in Defence (11/03/25): PM Carney in Korea, lots of rumors, MEDCAV, Gripen, Type 212CD, TNSR launches new Advertiser program

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Happy Monday everyone!

Tomorrow we'll have the budget, and tomorrow we will get our first look at what future priorities this givernmwnt considers a priority. I expect we will see a lot of expected announcements, and maybe a surprise or two.

We know we'll be getting some Defence Industrial Strategy stuff. We know there will be a heavy defence section. It remains to be seem what exactly that is.

For now though we have a busy week, with lots of news, and a whole bunch of rumors!

Lets get to it!

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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!

• My self-declared husband Policy Hawk sat down with Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Chris Bowen to discuss ASW, Submarines, and more!

• 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!

• The latest edition of Steffan Watkins RCN Media and Public Awareness Update is up!

• We talked about one last week, so lets talk about the other! Let's Talk about the Munitions of the Type-212CD

• The Carney in Korea Megathread: What the Prime Minister did in Korea for all those that missed!

• Canada and South Korea Deepen Security and Defence Cooperation with Comprehensive Partnership Agreement

• BREAKING: Prime Minister Lee and Canadian Prime Minister Carney sign Security and Defense Partnership, promising support for a 60 trillion won order.

• Prime Minister Carney attends South Korea-Canada Summit

• True North Strategic Review launches new Advertisers program, releases updated Ethics and Standards rules

• New Look at Davies 120 Corvette

• Canada and the Philippines Sign a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement

• Let's talk with Noah (11/03/25): Gripens, Bombardier, Twotter, Cyclones

• Swedish Delegation visiting Canada

• A new strategy to anchor the Ottawa-Gatineau Region as Canada’s Defence Innovation Hub

• NordSpace Announces New Advanced Manufacturing for Aerospace Lab (AMA Lab), Funding from Ontario Centre of Innovation

• Aerospace, defence is coming for you!

• Construction begins on Canadian Coast Guard diesel-electric hybrid vessel as the final Bay Class search and rescue vessel is completed

• The Icebreaker and AVSS present the Defence Tech Hackathon on November 15th!

• Irving provides new look at CCGS Donjek

• Cubic Awarded Canada Department of National Defence Contract for the Weapon Effects Simulation (WES) In-Service Support

• Lockheed Martin Space Hosts Supplier Forum to Strengthen Canadian Collaboration

• Canadian Armed Forces apologizes for history of systemic racism and racial discrimination

• Prime Minister of Canada visits Hanwha Ocean Shipyard in South Korea

• Irving gives new, beautiful look at CCGS Donjek

• Volatus Aerospace Acquires Strategic Dual-Use UAS Technology to Support Canada's Sovereign Capabilit and Allied Defense Requirements Worldwide

• BREAKING: MDA SPACE MAKES $10 MILLION INVESTMENT IN MARITIME LAUNCH, BECOMES AN EQUITY OWNER AND A STRATEGIC PARTNER

• Embassy of Canada in Germany to host Canada-Germany Security Forum

• L3Harris and ESL Labs: A Strategic Investment in Canada’s Defence Future

• Celebrating 25 Years of Service in Canada’s North: Nasittuq Corporation’s Legacy and Future

• It's Canada's moment to lead the drone age

• South Korea’s New Nuclear Submarine Capability and Canada’s Security Options

• Veterans concerned about health coverage changes for shock-wave treatments

• ‘This farm is not for sale’ Clearview farmers stand their ground against DND radar plan

• Dusty duffel bag found in Italy revives story of Cape Bretoner killed in WW II

• Bombardier, Sweden’s Saab in talks to build Gripen fighter jet in Canada

• Canadian military wants mobilization plan in place to boost reserves to 400,000 personnel

• In boost to mining industry, Canada commits to stockpile critical minerals as a national security priority

• Canadian defence companies cautiously optimistic about Budget 2025

• Ottawa pushes to become Canada’s defence innovation hub

• Can the new Defence Investment Agency fix Canada’s procurement problems—or will politics slow that down too?

• Canada is under attack by wildfires. It’s time to respond like it’s national defence.

• Arcfield Achieves CMMC Level 2 Certification

• After decades of stalling, projects in Canada’s North gain momentum as part of defence push

• IAM Union at the 2025 Canadian Aerospace Summit

• Navy commander says he’s ‘not looking’ to have new sub fleet built in Canada

• SNMG2 strengthens regional partnership with Egyptian port visit

• Presentations at the 2025 Health Expo: Navigating Your Health Journey

• Nine Days in Nanisivik: DND Team Successfully Reactivates Remote Arctic Facility

• Adding a personal touch to Remembrance Day

• Honorary Colonels integral piece of Army’s connection to Canadians

• Honouring Indigenous contributions: Indigenous-crafted poppies can now be worn for Remembrance Day observance

• Hard Work and Heavy Seas: RCN Welcomes New Clearance Divers

• Excellence in action: Honouring Defence Team members

• Warrant Officer Francine Rozon: A Life of Service, Health, and Excellence

• CAFCYBERCOM boosts NATO cyber resilience at CyberChess 2025

• HMCS Ville de Québec raises money for charity

• Be heard, make an impact: Complete the CAF Health Survey today

• How do we identify unknown soldiers? The CAF’s forensic anthropologist explains

• The Accessibility Passport is now available in a digital format

• Defence Team Word Puzzle | November 3

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Project Updates

• The RFI for the Strategic Radio Capability - VLF project has been updated with new documentation

• The RFP for the Common Heavy Equipment Replacement (CHER) Project Bundle 1 has been updated with new Q&A

• The RFP for the Mid-Shore Multi-Mission (MSMM) Vessel design contract has been updated with new Q&A

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

• A new RFP has been dropped for Maintenance Shelters for the RCN ISTAR project

• A new RFI has dropped for Reconfigurable Training Systems and Developmental Architectures for naval platforms.

• A new Request for Standing Offer (RFSO) has been dropped looking for 4x4 and 8x8 Arctic Mobility Amphibious Vehicle over a duration of three (3) firm years with two (2) additional one year options.

• Twenty20 Insight has been awarded a new contract valued at $14,981.92 for the provision of BQ400 Boresight Uncrewed Arial Targets

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Lobbying Updates

• Raytheon International has filed a new record with David Pratt & Associates looking to showcase their products

• Arcfield Canada has filed a new record with CFN Consultants looking to engage the government on their pursuit of Integrated Logistic Support contracts

• Nordspace has filed a new record with Summa Strategies Canada looking to engage the Federal government on multiple different issues, including a domestic launch fund

• North Vector Dynamics has filed a new record with Summa Strategies Canada looking to promote their line of CUAS products

• MAPL Munitions, a new company looking to set up another domestic small arms munitions line has filed a new.record with Bondy & Associates to engage the Federal Government on the legal and regulatory side of this. Good luck to them…

• Airbus Canada has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple different issues.

• NeesStaNan has filed a new record with Quinn Public Affairs looking to engage the Federal Government on the NeesStaNan port project

• L3Harris Technologies Canada has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on ongoing contracts, including for the River-class Destroyer and to promote their products and capabilities

• L3Harris Technologies has also filed new communications detailing meetings with Stephen Kelsey, MIke Wright, and Steve Boivin

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Rumors & Speculation

• Regarding Saab and Bombardier: I first heard of this partnership last week, and was going to put it in the newsletter but Globe and Mail got to it first. What they reported is basically what I heard, if Canada decides to procure Gripen than Bonbardier will manufacture fuselage.

There is no Canadian manufacturing without a Canadian order AFAIK. I would be shocked if they did. There is also no commitence to Canada making Gripen for Ukraine. We would just be part of the supply chain, so likely but not a promise. More a factor of availability.

Bombardier is also working with Saab for AEW. If selected, Erieye would be manufactured in Canada. There would likely also be a revival of Saabs Radar Centre as proposed foe Future Fighter.

The two will also work on other products, amd the integration of new capabilities onto the Global platform. That could also be a revival of Swordfish MPA, which Saab has mostly abandoned due to lack of interest before now. There's other concepts there too, SIGINT, ISR that they could pursue.

Both the governments of Ontario and Quebec have been promoting the Gripen privately. However no one wants to be cut out of the F-35 supply chain. Dozens of Canadian companies work on the program, and would like to keep it that way.

• Medium Cavalry has allegedly decided it's going tracked. So all of you tracked manufacturers better start prepping.

• For those wondering for a CMAR timeline, the current I hear is 2027 at latest.

• There have apparently been several major issues lately with the TAPV fleet, more than the usual issues. That includes major hull cracking across the fleet. We will work to figure this out.

• Because I've been asked about where future HQ will be, here you go (they really aint hard to figure nor surprising):

Sustainment Brigade & Defence of Canada Division - Montreal

Fires Brigade - Shilo

Protection Brigade - Gagetown

Light Regiment - Petawawa (EDIT: In my rush I accidently put Brigade here. Apologies)