This Week in Defence (6/30/25): Restructuring Plans approved, Trainers, Full-Rate Production begins on the Rivers.

Happy Monday everyone. I hope you guys didnt miss me to much this weekend! I had a great recharge out on the lake, amd while im still settling to three kids being home all the time I still wanted to get this newsletter out this week, especially because it aint to big.

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News

• Irving Shipbuilding celebrates progress under National Shipbuilding Strategy

• Full-rate production on the first RCD, the future HMCS Fraser, is now underway

• Defence Minister McGuinty concludes productive visit to Europe

• MDA Space awarded $60 million for next phase of River-class Destroyer

• Ontario announces $215 million to support provincial shipbuilding

• Canada To Deepen Partnership With Latvia

• Government of Canada Extends MDA Space Contract Providing Space-Based Maritime Awareness and Security

• Defence Team Organizational Changes Aim to Improve Efficiency and Enhance Transparency

• Modernizing the CAF Sports Program: Enhancing Well-Being and Inclusion

• Exercise TRITON strengthens Canada–France search and rescue cooperation in Saint-Pierre and Miquelon

• Michael Wernick: Canada needs a Defence and Security Tax to meet its new NATO commitments head on

• Canada’s top military general says new threats require new capabilities

• CDS & CAF CWO Message: Looking back with thanks, looking forward with purpose

• Remembering VE-Day 80 Years Later

• New members on the Pilatus board of directors and management

• Under Pressure Under Water: Submarine Cook Sergeant Mathew Wade

• Defence Team Word Puzzle | June 30

• Do you have questions for RCA Senior Leadership about the future of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery? Then heres the rare opportunity to ask! Answers will be published in the July issue of the Canadian Gunner News.

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Project Updates

• The Royal Canadian Navy Arctic Off-Shore Patrol Ship Uncrewed Aircraft Systems RFI has been updated with new Q&A

• The RCMP Next Generation - Police Coastal Patrol Vessels has been updated with new documentation

• The RFP for Next Generation Concept Studies for Canadas future SAR Satellite System has been updated with new documentation.

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Lobbying Updates

• Irving Shipyards has filed a new record with NorthStar Public Affairs Inc looking to engage the government on ongoing work related to the National Shipbuilding Strategy

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Rumors & Speculation

• The restructuring plans for the Army were officially approved by Army Council in the last two weeks. This means that the plans have been set and are only needing final approval ahead of the reveal in September. Sadly, I know little of true details. The plan is still focused on having a sustainable division, that has not changes. Sadly, if youre in the reserves, these plans will not be much for you.

• CAE has been shopping around for the future fighter trainer for the RCAF quite intensely. They've been actively in talks with DAPA & KAI about the TA-50, and some rumors posit that they've been mulling the M-346 as is being used under them at the International Flight Training School (IFTS). There is some possibility that the M-346 gets positioned as a ‘NATO’ trainer aircraft, especially as Canada joins in on European fighter training initatives.

• Expect some news on CHER soon. Also expect to hear on early Zetros deliveries eventually?

• HIMARS is still the plan Murray :)