This Week in Defence (12/23/25): Merry Christmas! Saab vs. Lockheed lobbying, Confirmation on Transport Canada’s aircraft fleet, future JSS, Lots of Lobbying, Steel

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Happy Tuesday everyone!

Before we sign off for the holidays, I just wanted to send a quick note of thanks to everyone who has supported TNSR this year.

​Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or just joined us recently, your support means the world. Wishing you and your families a wonderful Christmas and a relaxing holiday season. We have some exciting projects and deep dives scheduled for early next year that I can't wait to share with you.

​Thank you for being part of the journey. Have a wonderful holiday season!

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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 CanadaxIndo-Pacific, which is a thing! How cool is that!

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

• Let's Talk with Noah (12/22/25): Lasers, Huskys, Harbour Protection, Why is CPSP taking so long?

• Reduced availability for next week

• New Torpedoes for the Type 212CD and Inocea buying a German yard?

• Correcting myself from Yesterday: TKMS, Marmen, and Canadian production of 1.3964 Grade steel.

• TNSR launches first Industry Engagement Survey

• The Department of National Defence Acquires Additional Apartment Complex in British Columbia

• Ontario Launches Bid to Make Toronto Home to Defence, Security and Resilience Bank

• RCAF working on Air-to-Air refueling for the Global 6500, MGen Smyth confirms (so let's talk about it)

• Canada could reportedly get up to an 80% share in SAFE projects, Euractiv reports

• Canadian and Icelandic Coast Guards sign agreement to increase cooperation

• Minister Mcguinty announces new support for Ukraine at the 32nd Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting

• Minister of National Defence and Chief of the Defence Staff to visit Canadian troops during the holidays

• Canada’s National Security and Intelligence Advisor and Japan’s National Security Advisor discuss regional security

• Canadian Space Mining Corporation Rebrands as Canadian Strategic Missions Corporation, Launches Nuclear and R&D Subsidiaries

• Minister Champagne strengthens trade and defence ties with key European partners

• Breaking: BDC introduces platform to provide $4B to boost Canada’s defence and security ecosystem

• Where was Mr. Fuhr today? (12/17/25)

• Christiane Fox named new Deputy Minister of National Defence

• SAFE: member states endorse agreement on the participation of Canada

• Where Was Mr. Fuhr Today? (12/19/25)

• HMCS Max Bernays returns home after historic deployment

• HMCS St. John’s returns from Operation REASSURANCE

• Secretary of State Fuhr delivers MP report

• Building Canada’s next defence advantage in the age of AI

• Canada's top general says we're ready for war

• Analysis shows climate impacts will increasingly strain Canada’s Arctic defence infrastructure

• Military considers permanent bases in Latvia as part of Canada's NATO commitment

• How to equip Canada’s defense industrial base to meet NATO’s Hague summit commitments

• Queen’s Centre for International and Defence Policy announces new advisory council

• Canada hired an ex-Goldman Sachs banker to revive its military. Investors are excited

• New FedNor funding aims to help northern Ontario companies get into national defence supply chain

• Building military aircraft in Canada would create more than 12,000 jobs, Saab says.

• HMCS St. John’s tests RCN’s on-board blood supply program

• Happy Holidays from Defence Team Leaders

• Prime Minister Carney's message to members of the Canadian Armed Forces

• DM/CDS Message: New Deputy Minister of National Defence announced

• Agile Combat Employment validated during AGILE WARRIOR 25

• 12 Radar Squadron validates TPS-77 radar capabilities

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Project Updates

• We have a new RFI for Joint Fires Modernization. This time the DND is looking for a Digital Joint Fire Support Command and Control (DJFSC2) capability. It must be compatible with the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) coming in with HIMARS.

• The RFP for the Common Heavy Equipment Replacement (CHER) Project Bundle 6 has been updated with new documentation.

• The RFI for the Camp Sustain (CS) Project has been updated with new documentation.

• The University of Manitoba has been awarded a new IDEaS contract valued at $500,227

• Photon-IV has been awarded a new IDEaS contract valued at $287,500

• Qoherent has been awarded a new IDEaS contract valued at $1,436,626

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Lobbying Updates

• North Vector Dynamics has filed a new record with Summa Strategies Group looking to promote is Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems technologies to the Federal Government.

• MDA Space has filed a new record looking to promote and engage the Federal Government onna number of different issues. That includes space strategy, procurement opportunities, supporting efforts to tackle Climate Change and illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and immigration. Basically everything.

• Colt Canada has filed a new record with CFN Consultants looking to support the Federal Government innthe procurement of small arms.

• L3Harris Technologies Canada has filed a new record with Sandstone Group Seeking procurement and defence requirement information in order to provide strategic advice as appropriate on various defence contract opportunities.

• Federal Fleet Services has filed a new record with Samuel Associates looking to engage the Federal Government on the future of MV Asterix, both in Canada and opportunities abroad.

• NAVAL Group has filed a new record with The Capital Hill Group looking out for future naval procurement opportunities.

• Roshel has filed a new record with Sandstone Group looking to promote it's line of armoured vehicle to both to the Canadian government and in support to International partners.

• D-TA System has filed a new record with Crestview Strategy looking to engage on potential procurement opprtunities for their Electronic Warfare and Radar systems. They also wish to engage on the Defence Industrial Strategy.

• Theon Sensors has filed a new record with Sussex Strategy Group looking to discuss how best to improve transparency and competitiveness about defense procurement in Canada.

• Pratt & Whitney Canada has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics, with a primarily R&D focus

• Qikiqtaaluk Horizon Arctic Services has filed a new record with Fasken Martineau DuMoulin looking to engage the Federal Government on their plans to acquire a new Polar class Icebreaker as well as discuss future Icebreaking leasing and maintinence opportunities

• Terrestar Solutions has filed a new record with Compass Rose Group looking to engage the Federal Government onnthe need to replace the need for foreign satellite technology and spectrum allocation and investments in satellite technology and made-in-Canada innovations.

• Des Nedhe Development has filed a new record with… 11871722 Canada? I'm sorry but what kinda name is that? Okay I guess… they're looking to engage the Federal Government on cooperation with Indigenous industry and to promote their services and offerings.

• Ontario Shipyards has filed a new record with Rubicon Strategies looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including contracts for Ship Repair, thr Defence Industrial Base, rhe state of Shipbuilding in Canada, and the Continental Defence Corvette

• Qikiqtaaluk Arctic Economic Development has filed a new record with Fasken Martineau DuMoulin looking to promote the Qikiqtarjuaq Deep Sea Port proposal.

• Qikiqtaaluk Arctic Economic Development has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Gwendolyn Culver

• Vancouver Shipyards has filed new communications detailing meetings with Quinn Rinke, Conor Lewis, Renee Filiatrault, Meryem Nailli, and Jonathan Moor

• D-TA System has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Conor Lewis and Alexa Kalsatos

• NAVAL Group has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Renee Filiatrault

• MDA SPACE has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Ross Ermel

• Saab Canada has filed new communications detailing meetings with Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, Stefanie Beck, David McGuinty, Renee Filiatrault, Radey Barrack, and Heather Sheehy

• Lockheed Martin has filed a new communication detailing meetings with David McGuinty, Cory Pike, Radey Barrack, Stefanie Beck, Heather Sheehy, Jennie Carignan, and Jamie Speiser-Blanchet

• Maritime Launch Services has filed new communications detailing meetings with Debbie McCosham, Stefanie Beck, Scott Millar, Renée Filiatrault, Cory Pike, Andrew Green, and Claire Fisher

• Telesat Canada has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Quinn Rinke, Conor Lewis, Renee Filiatrault, and Ezechiel Nana

• Raytheon Corporation has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Jeffrey Smyth and Christa-Lynn Ferguson

• Roshel has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Wendy Hadwen and Heather Sheehy

• Bombardier Inc has filed a new communication detailing meetings with Jaspinder Komal

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Rumors & Speculation

​• TNSR can now confirm that Transport Canada’s aircraft fleet is being transferred to the DND. This appears to include the Dash and King Air fleets, as well as the singular Hermes StarLiner MALE UAS. Ironically, this could mean the DND receives a new MALE UAS before the CQ-9B SkyGuardian enters service. Hilarious.

• While we have previously reported on the Royal Canadian Navy’s desire to acquire more Joint Support Ships, we are told that the working number is no longer four, but five vessels. The Navy is also exploring new vessels to fulfill this role beyond the Berlin-class design. Maybe GLAAM or similar?

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This Week in Defence is proudly supported by

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