This Week in Defence (12/08/25): New Arms Package, Should Canada follow Norways lead? Canada in GCAP, Inocea, Active Protection Systems?

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Happy Monday everyone!

We're doing it late today! Many of you have requested that we post the newsletter later at night as you prefer something to read on Monday nights. I'm not against, but we do need to try and find an optimal time. I think 8:30 EST is a good one to start with!

Let me know how you guys like it. We're experimenting with schedules and such next week, so it might be a bit weird. Anyways, we have a fsirly exciting week. We have a new FMS sale for Canada, a new look at Inocea's many shipyards, and some fluff about Canada potentially joining GCAP!

We've also published the results of our 2025 End of the Year survey and our 2026 Strategic Plan! It's not a long week, but it’s a fun week!

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News

• TNSR is now available on Bluesky, Mastodon, and Threads!

• True North Strategic Review: 2025 End-of-Year Survey Analysis & Strategic Report

• Read up on the latest edition of CanadaxEurope!

• Also of you're curious about how you can benefot from Canada’s funding to the ESA, check out this upcoming event!

• 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!

• The Icebreaker gave me praise this week, so I should do the same! I love their newsletter so I should ask them if I can include it here. I don't think they'll mind!

• Let's talk with Noah (Special 4000+ words edition) (12/08/25): Bombardier MPA, ASCOD for MEDVCAV? Airlift, Orca, GBAD roundup, CMS330 on the River-class

• Does Norway show us the way forward?

• U.S. State Department approve new arms package to Canada, Small Diameter Bomb included.

• First files moved under the Defence Investment Agency confirmed

• Italian MOD confirms Canadian Interest in GCAP

• Inocea Group shows off their Shipyards

• Ultra Maritime Delivers New Innovation in Hybrid Anti-Submarine Warfare Capabilities with Sea Tracker to DRDC

• Government of Canada invests $47 million to secure access to essential Canadian Earth observation data

• BluMetric Announces Acquisition of DS Consultants and $15 Million Brokered Offering

• Serco Joins SkyAlyne to Deliver World-Class Support for Canada’s Future Aircrew Training Program

• Canada's entry into SAFE to reportedly cost €10 Million

• Canadian Armed Forces search and rescue crew awarded Certificate of Commendation for Exceptional Bravery at Sea

• EUMAM MOZ receives delegation from Canada, the Dallaire Institute and UNICEF to strengthen cooperation in the field of human rights

• Kraken Robotics Announces $12 Million in Orders for Synthetic Aperture Sonar and Subsea Batteries

• Joint statement on malicious cyber activity targeting Canadian critical infrastructure

• Defence Minister McGuinty announces new critical military equipment funding for Ukraine

• Davie and the CSSDN Launch a New Program in Lévis to Train the Next Generation of Shipbuilding Professionals

• Davie Defense Closes Gulf Copper Acquisition, Confirming U.S. Shipbuilding Expansion

• Volatus Aerospace Appoints Lieutenant-General (Ret’d) Christopher J. Coates to Board of Advisors

• Kepler Selected by Canadian Space Agency to Develop Next-Generation Earth Observation Concept Study

• MDA SPACE AWARDED INITIAL CONTRACT BY CANADIAN SPACE AGENCY FOR RADARSAT CONSTELLATION MISSION REPLENISHMENT SATELLITE

• Canadian Armed Forces establish Canadian Joint Forces Command

• Kraken Robotics Appoints Kim Butler to Board of Directors and Hires Bernard Mills as Executive Vice President, Defence

• Eligible businesses can now apply to the Regional Defence Investment Initiative to scale up, improve productivity and access supply chain opportunities

• AtkinsRéalis secures multi-year nuclear partnership with Rolls-Royce Submarines

• Thales and Cohere Partner to Accelerate AI Integration for Naval In-Service Support in Canada

• Helping SMEs support Canada’s defence and security needs

• Canada and Germany deepen their collaboration on advanced technologies

• Statement on Maritime Launch Participation in Canada’s Delegation to NATO STARLIFT Meetings in the Netherlands

• DND won’t meet with Ontario farmers concerned about new radar system

• Eliot Pence: The Optimus Prime: Legacy Defence Primes vs Neo Defence Primes and the Race to the Middle

• Defence minister says 'we're good' to meet 2% NATO spending target by March

• Government of Canada invests to boost British Columbia small- and medium-sized businesses’ contribution to Canada’s defence ambition

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

• Canada-Republic of Korea Defence and Security Co-operation

• Building up Canada’s defence sector will depend on long-term homegrown support

• Budget prioritizes defence, but Canadians may not support huge long-term investment, experts say

• Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy: InDro’s View

• Budget 2025: Government contracting and 'buy Canadian' take center stage

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

• The future of Canada’s military and joining Europe’s defence fund

• Viet Nam Defence Delegation advances women, peace and security agenda during study visit to Canada

• South Korea just changed the game and Canada needs its own grand bargain

• Industry experts question Saab’s pitch to bring 10,000 jobs to Canada

• Canada needs to hold a national conversation about mobilization, but it shouldn't start with an internal directive | Opinion

• London-area defence firms eye Ottawa's $200M military spending plan

• Remembrance Day at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea

• Welcome to Halifax, HMCS Nanaimo!

• A ruck march for a cause: Supporting life saving pediatric care

• Recovery: The secret ingredient for everyday performance

• S1 Patrick Ward: volunteer firefighter and proud submariner

• OP FUTURE – Modernization of annual readiness and deployment administration

• The CAF’s blood program: Major Damien Miller’s heartfelt commitment

• Canada hosts first post-pandemic NATO Electronic Warfare Advisory Group meeting

• CDS/DM Message: Establishment of Canadian Joint Forces Command (CJFC)

• The Casualty ID Program thanks the public for their help in the search for soldiers missing in Korea

• The new torchbearers: Cadets & Junior Canadian Rangers keeping Veterans’ stories alive

• CAF members participate in Exercise STEADFAST DUEL 25 across Europe

• Career search tips and tools workshop

• Winter student hiring starts now

• Defence Team Word Puzzle | December 8

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Project Updates

• The RFP for 4x4 Troop Carrying vehicles closes in two days, and has been updated with new documentation

• The RCN ISTAR UAS Maintenance Shelters project has been updated with new documentation.

• The RFP regarding new Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIF) has been updated with new documentation

• 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 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.

• The Nihtat Gwich'in Council has filed a new record with Crestview Strategy looking at future construction opportunities eith the federal government. Polar Over-the-Horizon Radar is specifically mentioned.

• General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has filed a new record with Summa Strategies Group looking at procurememt opportunities for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems.

• DJI Canada has also files a new reford with Loyalist Public Affairs regarding RPAS. LOL. LMAO.

• Terrestar Solutions has filed a new record with Compass Rose Group looking to promote their satellite technologies as a replacement for existing foreign systems.

• Lockheed Martin Canada has filed a new record with CFN Consultants looking to promote their offerings and secure contracts. Last time they tried to promote how the U.S. relationship was still alive and well, valiant effort, but man its nice to see they realized better.

• L3 Harris Technologies has filed a new record with Sandstone Group looking to promote their offerings and engage with federal entities.

• Geospectrum Technologies has filed a new record with Samuel Associates looking to promote their offerings to the Federal Government.

• Global Spatial Technology Solutions has filed a new record with CFN Consultants looking to promote their offerings in Maritime Security to the federal government.

• Ocean Group has filed a new record with PAA Advisory looking to gather information on the National Shipbuilding Strategy, promote their offerings, and engage on fusning and opportunities for support in shipyard development.

• Maritime Launch Services has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple different topics including Sovwrign Launch, Space strategy, Trade Issues in the Space sector, and funding.

• Des Nedhe Development has filed a new record with Alar Strategy Group looking to engage the Federal Government of the roles of Indigenous business, gobernment support for Indigenous ventures, and possible cooperation opportunities.

• Global Relay Communications has filed a new record with GT & Company Executive Advisors looking to engage the Federal Government on their AI infrastructure and security solutions, policies regarding digital sovereignty and discuss options for data security.

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

• IMT Group has filed a new record with Massey Advisory looking to engage the Federal Government on opportunities and to engage on the companies role in Canada’s Defence Industrial Base. This by the way is one of the five companies in the Munition Supply Program. I dont think you need to look far baby girl.

• Xanadu Quantum Technologies has filed a new record with Fratton Park looking to engage the Federal Government on both its National Quantum and Semiconductor Strategies. Also something called Project Optimism, whoch I know nothing about but I feel I should.

• L3Harris Technologies has filed a new record detailing meetings with Stefanie Beck, Deputy Minister of National Defence.

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Rumors & Speculation

• Tomorrows announcement is gonna be fun. :)

• As I said in the Q&A, you should be hearing some news on more LAVs coming soon.

• We should be hearing something soon on the Active Protection System project soon as well. This has been in the works quietly for a while, but has managed to keep itself down. Keep note that this is a placeholder name for now.

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This Week in Defence is proudly supported by

Dominion-Dynamics.com

Dominion Dynamics is developing Canada's next-generation Arctic command layer, unifying sensors, autonomous systems, and operators across all domains into a single real-time operating picture. Their energy- efficient, low-latency C2 architecture is purpose-built for extreme northern conditions and fully interoperable with both legacy and future systems, strengthening sovereign capabilities, improving joint decision-making, and enabling adaptable, integrated defence and security operations across Canada's Arctic.