This Week in Defence (9/22/25): Interview with Hanwha, Twitter Spaces with Hawky, Everyone files a record even if they're late to the party by like six months, More SAFE, and Cyclone replacements

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Happy Monday everyone. Apologies for taking so long to get this out. Today has been a busy day and, evidently, apparently everyone decided to do some lobbying work this week.

Oh well, it is bound to happen sometimes. We have a very busy Newsletter this week. So let's not waste time.

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News

• For those of you who might have missed it, I hosted the first episode of the Lets Talk podcast with Micheal Coulter, Hanwha Aerospace, Global Defense CEO & Steve Jeong Head of Naval Ship International Business, Hanwha Ocean over the weekend.

• I also did a Twitter space with fellow Analyst and my BFF Hawky (@CDNPolicyHawk) over on X. You should check it out!

• Canadian Army releases Inflection Point 2025, the first document of restructuring.

• Let's talk with Noah (9/15/25): GBAD, Procurement, Europe

• Bombardier Announces 2024 Winners of its Supplier Recognition Program

• WestJet and CAE sign contract to bring world-class aviation professional training facility to Calgary

• Canada and Portugal protect sensitive information and promote economic prosperity with signing of General Security of Information Agreement

• MetOcean Telematics® Awarded Iridium® Satellite Services Contract by Government of Canada

• Canada’s Chief of Defence Gen Jennie Carignan engages with CFB Shilo troops on historic visit

• Japan MOFA: Monitoring and surveillance activities by Canada against illicit maritime activities including ship-to-ship transfers

• Japanese MOD: Japanese F-15s visit Goose Bay!

• Alchemy Secures $6M to Scale Global Defence and Automotive Innovations

• Prime Minister Carney announces new partnership with Mexico to elevate ties across trade, energy, and security

• Update on SAFE & Canada

• Ministers of Veterans Affairs and National Defence mark 110th anniversary of Newfoundland Regiment’s arrival at Gallipoli

• His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Frédérick Rolette connects with Nunavik

• Forewarned: Canadian Industry and our New Defence Footing

• Canadian defence minister praises NORAD after security scare at YYC

• Why Canada’s defence tech sector is suddenly exploding

• Canadian Defence Attache Program Selection for 2026 Underway

• Canada’s defence rebuild risks collapse without procurement reform

• The secret to a successful defence industrial strategy is procurement reform

• Security and defence in a changing Arctic

• Mergers and acquisitions in the defence sector: A strategic lever under high surveillance

• Department of National Defence using U.S. cloud services

• Mark Norman: It's time Canadians paid attention to the opportunities in the defence sector

• A bigger defence budget may increase Canada’s hollow force risk

• NATO deterrence mission in Latvia drains the Canadian Army's fleet of vehicles

• To strengthen Canada, start in the North

• Rare U.S. military aircraft spotted over Ottawa likely on training flight, ex- NORAD officer says

• Champagne says Canada could be key exporter of critical minerals, energy to Europe

• Canada weighing direc contract with foreign governments for sub purchase, head of navy says

• Trained and ready for flight

• HMCS St. John’s in the Mediterranean

• Space-based capabilities are critical to CAF operations and day-to-day business. Isn’t it time you learned more?

• Explore Cold War perspectives at the 2025 Shannon Lecture Series

• Training Mission Commanders during Exercise Cobra Warrior 25-2

• CDS/CAF CWO Message: 2025 National Veterans’ Week Speakers Program

• Stories of change: Your last opportunity to be a Defence Representative

• HMCS Max Bernays pushes the RCN’s northern edge

• Complete your mid-year performance assessment

• Launch of the King Charles III version of the Special Service Medal

• Defence Team Word Puzzle | September 22

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Project Updates

• A new RFP for the Joint Fires Modernization project has FINALLY been released

• The RFI for the Joint Deployable Headquarters Signal Regiment Modernization (JDHQSRM) project has been updated with new documentation.

• The RFIs for CHER bundles 1 and 6 have been updated with new documentation.

• The RFP for the Mid-Shore Multi-Mission (MSMM) design contract has been updated with more documentation. As if it needed more.

• The RFI for the Tactical Command and Control Information System (TacC2IS) project has been updated with new Q&A

• A new request has been put out for Integrated Project Delivery – Design and Construction Services for the Arctic Over The Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) project

• The CSA has put out a new RFI for commercially sourced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery and related information products.

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Lobbying Updates

• Volatus Aerospace has filed a new record with David Pratt & Associates looking to promote how their existing infrastructure and aircraft fleets can be used in support of Border Security and National Defence

• Draeger Canada has filed a new record with Global Public Affairs Inc. looking to promote to companies role in Canada’s security ecosystem.

• Leonardo S.p.A has filed a new record with Sandstone Group looking to promote the companies products and offerings in regards to defence

• Telesat Canada has filed a new record with CFN Consultants looking to promote their services and offers to the federal government.

• Voltari Marine Electric Inc has filed a new record with Catalyze4 looking to promote themselves and their offerings to the federal government.

• Theon Sensors has filed a new record with Sussex Strategy Group looking to discuss fairness and transparency in the defence procurement system. Guys. You lost. It sucks, I know but come on do you really need to hire a lobbyist for this?

• BWXT Canada has filed a new record with Sussex Strategy Group looking to inquire about the Federal Governments nuclear policy and explore new opportunities.

• NAVAL Group SA has apparently decided that now is time to file a record with The Capital Hill Group looking to explore the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project and other naval opportunities. Guys, I dont know how to tell you this but y’all were already eliminated from the competition like two weeks ago. I have never seen them here, ever. Where were y’all like six months ago?

• De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited has filed a new record with StrategyCorp Inc. looking for support regarding several of their ongoing programs, including the usual CL-515 but now also the Twin Otters and the SD3-60 Sherpa!

• Saab Canada has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on several topics.

• Roshel has filed a new record with Sandstone Group looking to promote its Senator, Captain, and various other armoured vehicles both domestically and abroad.

• Seaspan Shipyards has filed a new record with Bluesky Strategy Group regarding the National Shipbuilding Strategy

• L3Harris Technologies Canada has filed a new record with Sandstone Group looking to explore procurement opportunities

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Rumors & Speculation

• There are at least some truths to the rumors of the Cyclone being ditched. I don't fully know the extent, however there is agreement there is a pathway to do so from both CAF and Lockorsky. Whether that turns serious? We will see.

• Expect to see some major CPSP partnerships announced in the next few weeks as both TKMS and Hanwha up the stakes of their offerings. The playing field has been set, and everyone, hopefully, knows what they must do to secure this. Will be interesting.

• SOCEM implementation has a new timeline of 2027 to start seeing new kit. CADPAT MT should still be distributed by the end of the year, apparently. This aint really rumors but someone last week did ask me.

• We also have some timelines for HIMARS with IOC expected in 2029 and FOC in 2031.

• New Tank regiment is likely going to Suffield.