The Minister of Defence, Peter MacKay, has announced that eight CH-146 Griffon helicopters will be deployed to Afghanistan in early 2009 as part of the Joint Task Force Afghanistan (JTFA) – Air Wing.
CDR has learned that DND is considering the purchase and rebuilding of armoured vehicles for the Canadian forces. It has been reported that DND hopes the proposal will be ready for presentation to the Defence Minister by the end of December.
Canada’s Afghanistan mission, by 2011, will have considerably exceeded original financial expectations, reaching as high as $18 billion. Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page reported that future costs are expected to total around $200 million per month until 2011, when Canadian troops are scheduled to leave Afghanistan.
Lockheed Martin recently received a $156 million contract to provide the P-3 Aircraft Service Life Extension Program, (ASLEP), for the CF CP-140 Aurora aircraft.
The Department of National Defence recently issued a Request For Proposal, (RFP), for Small UAV’s to support Canadian troops during training and current operations. The DND will be accepting proposals for the SUAV until December and is expected to render its decision by the end of January of 2009.
Oakley, known for its cool sunglasses and sports gear, has launched a website where Canadian Forces personnel can purchase items such as protective eyewear and army boots.
For the past 10 years, Oakley has supported Canadian military combatants with a military program, so they could equip themselves with the latest gear at competitive prices. Now, the program is shifting again with a new E-commerce Web site, which will simplify transactions.
To access the Oakley website visit: WWW.OAKLEYFORCES.CA
The Oakley people recently told CDR that the new online military store makes the ordering of products such as eyewear, boots, gloves and accessories easier than ever to order.
CAE has announced that the upgraded Warrior Observation Post Vehicle (WOPV) simulators provided for the British Army have successfully completed acceptance trials at the Royal School of Artillery (RSA) at Larkhill, in the United Kingdom.
BAE Systems, through its Ground Systems line of business, and teammate Navistar Defense, LLC have been awarded a $40.5 million contract to participate in a 27-month technology demonstration phase of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program.
In a brief ceremony, Field Aviation took delivery from Bombardier Aerospace of a Dash 8 Q300 aircraft that is being modified to become a maritime surveillance aircraft (MSA) for the Icelandic Coast Guard. Field Aviation purchased this aircraft as part of a contract worth in excess of $US30 million that was awarded to the company in May, 2007. The contract specifications are very similar to the three Dash 8 Q300 MSAs that Field Aviation recently completed and delivered for the Swedish Coast Guard, and in a fitting changeover, the aircraft for Iceland arrived at Field Aviation just as the last aircraft for Sweden was being prepared for its delivery flight.
