This Week in Defence (12/02/25): Cables, Obscure Vehicles, Army launches MINERVA, Cyclone Release 2.1 update, Trainer Rumors, Munitions

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Happy Tuesday everyone!

We have another Tuesday release. Im sorry! Yesterday was super busy and I didn't get time to finish resonably! Thats alright though, it is a pretty slow week honestly. I did manage to get two seperate opinion pieces out though, including my longest ever about cables! Over 8000 words!

Anyways, I won't ramble. Let's get into it!

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News

• Let's Talk about Cables (and the vessels that lay them)

• The Obscure Vehicles of the CAF I

• 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!

• Canadian Army launches MINERVA Initative for UxS

• Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) for the quarter ended September 30, 2025 released

• Let's talk ASW again with Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Chris Bowen

• Let's talk with Noah (12/01/25): MEDCAV, RCAF Modernization, Golden Dome, Technology Stuff.

• Prime Minister Carney announced Canada's entry in European Union's SAFE initiative

• NordSpace Launches Space Systems Lab with Dual-Use Demo Satellite for SDA, Wildfires, Arctic Launching 2026 with SpaceX

• AtkinsRéalis acquires Australia-based Engineering Consultancy ADG Engineers

• Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine General Oleksandr Syrskyi speaks with Chief of the Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan

• Government of Canada strengthens the future of federal emergency management

• Department of National Defence advances innovation in drone detection technology

• IN PHOTOS: first CT-157 Siskin II (Pilatus PC-21) gets its wings

• Base Camp Connect Secures Major Acquisition Contract with Canadian Armed Forces

• IDEaS launches Launch the North: Accelerating Canada's sovereign access to space contest

• PH Defence Podcast E2 S1: Submarine Special 2, interview with Dr. Paul Mitchell

• Joint statement on malicious cyber activity targeting Canadian critical infrastructure

• Calian Reports Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025

• Manufacturing acceptance of first RCAF CT-153 Juno (Airbus H135) for FAcT program

• Maritime Launch Appoints Ian McLeod to Board of Directors as Company Enters a New Phase of Growth Advancing Orbital Launch Capability in Canada

• Nokia Canada breaks ground on new Ottawa innovation campus, helping to shape the future of Canadian Tech leadership

• Calian Awarded Contract to Deliver Four Ka/Q/V-Band Gateways for Two Geostationary Satellites

• Where was Vice-Admiral Topshee today? (11/25/25)

• Melanie Joly visits HD Hyundai

• Canada tests urban C-UAS capabilities in downtown Ottawa

• Analysis: Canada 'naked' against threats to our Arctic region

• $81-billion defence plan a boon for Alberta industry: MacKay

• Canada at the defence crossroads: The challenges of thinking long-term

• Gripen fighter jet purchase would allow Canada to assert sovereignty, says past chair of House Defence Committee McKay

• Cyber criminals increasingly targeting Canadians' water, cyber defence agency says

• Joint statement by the Government of Canada, the Government of Australia, and the Government of India

• A Work in Progress: The Canadian Armed Forces in Transition

• Can Bombardier make the jump from corporate welfare poster child to defence darling?

• Canada ranks low on military oversight: study

• Opinion: This is our opportunity to build Canada's economy and defence at the same time

• UCalgary’s space-weather network becomes key tool in Canada’s northern security strategy

• National Defence to fly drones over downtown area of Ottawa

• Ontario minister crosses the globe to chase defence industry investments and jobs

• Serco Joins SkyAlyne Team to Deliver Support for FAcT Program

• Ontario farm belt residents push back against DND plan for new radar site

• Seeing beyond the cave: bridging culture in defence and procurement

• Canada Strong? Analyzing Canada’s Defence Surge

• Debates restart over Canada’s fighter jet purchase amid rising trade tensions

• Navy Divers surface across HRM for Christmas Daddies

• Leading the way: Junior Canadian Rangers build skills and confidence at NLETS 2025

• CANSOFCOM in the Arctic – Exercising in pursuit of excellence

• Making an impact in the Black Sea: Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic) on Operation REASSURANCE

• Remembrance Day at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea

• Senate of Canada Honours the Canadian Navy and Coast Guard

• Defence Team Co-Champions mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities

• Recovery: The secret ingredient for everyday performance

• Submit short-term actings for holiday leave

• Political activities and non-partisanship info sessions

• Changes to the Directive on Union Dues

• Holiday season invitations – Guidance for Defence Team members

• Canada must build on federal budget investments in dual-use innovation

• Chaplain earns PhD in Military Ethics: Developments in Just War Theory

• Many factors’ guiding Canada’s upcoming F-35 acquisition: Defence minster

• Defence Team Word Puzzle | December 1

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Project Updates

• The RFP for CHER bundle 6 has been updated with new documentation

• The RFP for the Aircrew Helmet Communication Upgrade Initative has been updated with new documentation.

• The design contract for the Mid-Shore Multi-Mission Vessel has been updated with new Q&A ahead of it's closing on Friday.

• We have a new update on the River-class Destroyer (RCD) In- Service Support (ISS) Initiative. Sadly you need to email to ask, but still of interest to those of you who want to take the time.

• The RFP for the RCN ISTAR UAS Maintenance Shelters Initative has been updated with new documentation

• The RFI for the Tactical Command and Control Information System (TacC2IS) Modernization has been updated with new documentation.

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Lobbying Updates

• Arctic Gateway Group has filed a new record with Wellington Dupont Public Affairs looking to engage the Federal Government on support for the Port of Churchill and Port of Churchill plus. Should note that this is already considered a transformative project with the Major Projects Office.

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

• Nokia Canada has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on potential funding opportunities to expand its R&D footprint and talent pool in Canada.

• Q-Block Computing has filed a new record with StrategyCorp looking to engage the Federal Government on potential procurement opportunities, inckuding those in defence.

• General Motors of Canada has filed a new record with Martin Rust Strategic Advisory Services looking to engage the Federal Government on procurement opportunities. Focus is obviously put on the Light Utility Vehicle project.

• EllisDon Construction Services has filed a new record with CFN Consultants looking to engage the Federal Government on it's offerings and services.

• NAVAL Group SA has filed a new record with The Capital Hill Group looking to engage the Federal Government on potential Naval opportunities. Funny enough they still mention CPSP, a context Naval famously ignored to shit.

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

• Irving Shipbuilding has filed a new record with NorthStar Public Affairs looking to engage the Federal Government on the National Shipbuilding Strategy and ongoing work involving the River-class Destroyer

• Rheinmetall Canada has filed a new record with Edelman looking to engage the Federal Government on export permits and export policy.

• Cohere has filed a new record with PAA Advisory looking for support for AI Initiative as well as to engage the Federal Government on AI development and policy.

• Port Saint John has filed a new record with The Porter O'Brien Agency looking to engage the Federal Government of expansion funding and potnetial amalgamation among port authorities.

• Open Ocean Robotics has filed a new record with CFN Consultants looking to engage the Federal Government on it's DATAXPLORER Autonomous Uncrewed Surface Vessel and to seek funding for it's development.

• Volatus Aerospace has filed a new record with Barrack Hill Public Affairs looking to engage the Federal Government on their capabilities and offerings

• Qikiqtaaluk Horizon Arctic Services Limited Partnership has filed a new record with Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP looking to engage on thr acquisition of new Icebreakers and Icebreaking capabilities.

• Qikiqtaaluk Arctic Economic Development has filed a new record with Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP looking for funding opportunities for the development of the Qikiqtarjuaq Deep Sea Port in Nunavut.

• General Motors of Canada Company has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Judith Bennett

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Rumors & Speculation

I was gonna report on the fact there was a big announcement planned for this week but the feds got to it before me. I, again, have zero idea what it is gonna be about, but I hear it'll be big.

• Initial rumors are that the M-346 and TF-50 are the leading options for Canada's future jet trainer.

• For a positive Cyclone update, I hear that the plan is to still to fully roll out Release 2.1 for the entire fleet by the end of 2026, though knowing the Cyclone and it's lucky they're much more likely to somehow get messed up from it. God hates the Cyclone.

• There is planned to be some Munitions purchases in the next couple months. I don't know all yet, but LRASM is likely one of them.

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