The Canadian government has entered the final stage of the process to name Davie as a National Shipbuilding Strategy partner. That will allow Davie Shipbuilding will continue its contribution to supporting the federal fleet, such as
CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent, shown arriving at Davie earlier this year. (DAVIE PHOTO)
by David Pugliese
THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT has entered the final stage of the process to name Davie, Canada’s largest and highest capacity shipbuilder, as a National Shipbuilding Strategy partner. This will see Davie deliver to Canada a range of vessels including a new fleet of state-of-the-art heavy icebreakers.
Davie will now begin negotiating an umbrella agreement with the Government of Canada, with completion later this year.
“After a rigorous process, we are proud that Canada has confirmed that our submissions were fully compliant. We commend the government for this vote of confidence in our experience, our expertise and our amazing people,’’ said James Davies, President and CEO of Davie Shipbuilding.
Davie noted that its entry to the NSS will bring major long-term economic benefits to Québec and Canada as a whole.
Filomena Tassi, Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada, singled out Davie during her speech at CANSEC 2022. “We are making progress on this complex, multi-step process,” she said of the ongoing negotiations. “Chantier Davie has proven a valuable partner in the past, and we know they will continue to be an important part of the shipbuilding and ship repair landscape in this country.”
The Canadian Army has selected the SAKO TRG M10 bolt-action rifle as its new multi-calibre sniper weapon.
Stoeger Canada with SAKO of Finland will begin deliveries of the new rifles which will allow the use of two different types of calibres to meet the operational and train- ing needs of the Canadian Army. Stoeger Canada of Oshawa was awarded the $2.6 million contract for what is being called the C21 rifle.
The Canadian Army will acquire 229 of the C21s. All deliveries of the rifles are expected by the end of December 2022, said National Defence spokesman Dan Le Bouthillier.
The SAKO TRG M10 bolt-action sniper rifle is a manually operated and magazine- fed system. Its interchangeable barrel/ bolt system, among other features, make it a multi-functional system in a single weapon, according to SAKO and Stoeger officials. By switching out different parts, the sniper has the option of what calibre bullet might be fired. Snipers using the C1 have the option of selecting between 7.62x51mm and .338 Lapua Magnum calibres.
Bouthillier said the C21 provides Canadian Army snipers with greater flexibility as it has an adjustable folding stock to make it easier to transport and to accommodate various user types. In addition it is able to attach in-line night vision devices to increase operational effectiveness.
The rifle has a proven effective range of 1200 metres, National Defence added. The rifle’s magazine will hold between eight and 10 rounds, depending on the calibre.
The C21, when compared to the current C14 and C3A1, provides greater flexibility and will be lighter, with a 60 per cent longer barrel life, according to the Canadian Armed Forces.
One hundred additional rifle optical sights will also be acquired but that solicitation is still pending.
The overall sniper equipment project has acquired a number of items. They include; 272 C20 Semi-Automatic Sniper Weapons (7.62 calibre); 157 night vision image intensifier and sights; 119 Digital cameras; 319 sets Thermal layer rain suits; 319 kits, ballistic calculators; 75 refurbished C15 long range sniper rifle (.50 calibre); 220 collective and individual concealment kits; 319 body armour systems and 319 modular pack systems. Ammunition was procured through the Munitions Supply Program and General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Canada.
The Canadian government awarded a contract worth nearly $800 million to Bell Textron Canada Limited (BTCL) of Mirabel, Quebec, to extend the life of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s fleet of 85 CH-146 Griffon helicopters until at least the mid-2030s.
The Canadian Army has selected the SAKO TRG M10 bolt-action rifle as its new multi-calibre sniper weapon. (NATIONAL DEFENCE PHOTO)
As the original manufacturer of the CH-146 Griffon helicopters, BTCL owns the intellectual property rights for the aircraft and is therefore the only company certified to assess and define necessary design changes and associated repairs to the aircraft, federal officials noted.
Under the contract, the company will perform modifications on the first nine helicopters, and will then manage a competitive process to sub-contract suppliers to install modifications on the remaining 76 helicopters.
BTCL established Team Griffon for what it is calling a made-in-Canada solution for this project, which includes CMC Electronics and Pratt & Whitney Canada.
In 1992, BTCL was awarded a non- competitive contract to provide National Defence with 100 CH146 Griffon helicopters, a military variant of the civilian Bell 412EP helicopter. As of 2022, 85 CH-146 Griffon helicopters remain in service.
The CH146 helicopters were delivered between 1994 and 1998, and have been used for multiple mission requirements both at home and abroad, including tacti- cal transport, emergency response, as well as search and rescue. The first upgraded helicopter is expected to be delivered in 2024 and the remaining will be upgraded by 2028.
The partnership between Rheinmetall and Lockheed Martin in pursuit of the Canadian Army’s Land Vehicle Crew Training System (LVCTS) project has a new name —FORC3.
First announced in June 2020, the strategic partnership led by Rheinmetall Canada includes Lockheed Martin Canada, Rheinmetall Electronics (Bremen, Germany), and Lockheed Martin Training and Logistics Solutions (Orlando, Florida).
De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited announced the successful first flight of the Avionics Upgrade Program for CL-215T, CL- 415 and CL-415 EAF aircraft occurred on May 30, 2022, in Abbotsford, British Columbia. The new avionics pack- age integrates a state-of-the-art Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion flight deck that is proven and in use by civilian and special mission aircraft around the world, the firm noted.
“We are extremely excited about the successful test flight of the Collins Pro Line Fusion flight deck in a CL-415 aircraft,” said Jean-Philippe Côté, Vice-President Programs, De Havilland Canada. “We are looking forward to Trans- port Canada certification in the coming months and beginning the installation of new avionics suites on the CL-215T, CL- 415 and CL-415 EAF flight decks shortly thereafter.”
“Collins Aerospace is proud to collaborate with De Havilland Canada on this critical initiative,” said Chris Conway, Business Development Director for Collins Aerospace. “Our Pro Line Fusion integrated avionics system provides advanced situational awareness that enhances the safety, efficiency and predictability essential to every mission, especially fire suppression.”
This new avionics suite has been purposely designed and customized for the aerial firefighting missions. It will also be installed in the recently launched DHC-515 Firefighter aircraft.
