The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, participated in the 15th Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. The meeting, hosted by United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, brought together representatives from approximately 50 countries to discuss the provision of military aid to Ukraine. Minister Blair was joined by a Canadian delegation including General Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff.

Operation NANOOK 2023’s two summer serials demonstrating the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) abilities to deploy forces and conduct exercises with our Allies and international and Whole of Government partners in the Arctic, concluded on Saturday, September 9.

Team Rubicon Canada is preparing to host ‘Salute to Service’, an event in recognition of completing 100 missions. Being held in Ottawa on October 2, 2023, Salute to Service will highlight the capabilities of the organization, the volunteers who fuel each mission and the people in affected communities who they assist.

CAE has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Textron Aviation Defense LLC that expands efforts to support defence force preparation, integrate next-generation aircraft and develop advanced capabilities. The collaboration between CAE and Textron Aviation Defense addresses the growing need for military-led and industry-enabled flight training services that employ emerging technology and innovative instructional approaches to enhance the next-generation T-6 training ecosystem.

GM Defense and NP Aerospace signed a collaborative Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop cooperative research and development, post-production support, and global logistics and sustainment for integrated vehicles, power and propulsion, autonomy and connectivity, fuel cell, power generation, system integration and platform integration. Company leaders signed the MOU during the Defense and Security Equipment International (DSEI) 2023.

This multi-national exercise taking place off the coast of Nova Scotia will focus on interoperability between Allies and joint elements, and on submarine warfare threats. This year will also see air-maritime integration between the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force, as well as amphibious landings conducted by the Canadian Army.

UMS SKELDAR and Ultra Maritime are unveiling their jointly developed anti-submarine warfare (ASW) solution at DSEI 2023. The solution, a Rotary Wing UAS providing an ASW sonobuoy dispensing capability, is based on the SKELDAR V-200 Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) and was developed as part of a contract under the Canadian Department of National Defence’s (DND) Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program.

Saab announces the strategic acquisition of CrowdAI, accelerating the development and implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML) capabilities into Saab’s portfolio. The acquisition is part of Saab’s technology leadership in this new era for the defence industry.

Drone Delivery Canada (DDC) has signed a contract with the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces' (DND/CAF) Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program to operate and evaluate DDC's proprietary drone delivery platform using DDC's recently commercialized Canary remote piloted aircraft ("RPA").

Fleet Week is designed to showcase Halifax as Canada’s defence and ocean hub, with participation from the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) service members. Fleet Week takes place from Thursday, Sept. 7 until Sunday, Sept. 10.

The Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) fourth Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS), His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) William Hall, was delivered to the fleet.

While the Duty to Report was designed to promote good order and discipline among CAF members by requiring them to report misconduct to the proper authorities, it has created unintended negative consequences for survivors by taking away their agency and control in the reporting process. 

CURRENT Scientific Corporation will be supporting Federal Fleet Services (FFS), operator of the Combat Support Ship (CSS) Asterix, Canada's largest Combat Support Ship, with cutting edge maritime surveillance capabilities. This partnership underscores CURRENT's commitment to developing innovative technological solutions to keep Canadian waters safe. As a result, the CSS Asterix will now be equipped with a state-of-the-art EO/IR system.

Arcfield Canada currently supports the CF-18 fighter operations conducted at 4 Wing Cold Lake, located in Alberta, and under the operational command of 1 Canadian Air Division. As an international Centre of Excellence for tactical fighter operations, 4 Wing is one of the largest and busiest fighter aircraft wing of the Canadian Armed Forces. The new Arcfield Canada location will further enhance its ability to provide world-class supply chain management services to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

Beginning August 30, 2023, five Light Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicles will be transported by semi-trailer flatbed from London, ON to Valcartier, QC. Members of the public may notice these vehicles on major Canadian highways. These activities are in direct support of the Light Armoured Vehicle Reconnaissance Surveillance System project that will provide the Canadian Army with its first vehicle-based, on-the-move, long-range reconnaissance capability.

The Canadian Coast Guard has officially welcomed the CCGS Gabarus Bay to its fleet at the Lifeboat Station in Burgeo, Newfoundland and Labrador. This high-endurance search and rescue vessel is designed, equipped and crewed to respond to mariners needing assistance at sea.

Cellula Robotics has commenced sea trials of the Solus-XR system, showcasing the company's dedication to advancing Extra Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (XLUUVs). The Solus-XR XLUUV has officially embarked on its highly anticipated sea trials, signifying a crucial stride in the company's development of its long range hydrogen fuel cell powered autonomous underwater systems.

Aircraft and personnel from the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) will participate for the first time in Exercise COBRA WARRIOR 23-2, a Royal Air Force hosted multinational live-fly exercise held at Royal Air Force (RAF) station Waddington in the United Kingdom, from September 4 to 22, 2023.

The additional vehicles are part of the previously announced firm-fixed price $296 million contract over seven years that the Army awarded Mack Defense in 2018. For this new order, 60 HDTs are being purchased by the U.S. Army Reserve, 74 are being funded by the presidential budget and one is being purchased by the U.S. Navy. With this tranche, a total of 446 HDTs have been ordered to date.

RAFAEL Australia (RAFAEL) has finalised a substantial acquisition contract with the Australian Government to provide the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with the next generation of Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) systems; RAFAEL’s SPIKE LR2 Anti-Tank Guided Missile.

CMC Electronics has signed a multi-year contract with Swiss-based Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. for the purchase of its cutting-edge avionics solutions for the PC-21 Next Generation Trainer. This contract includes the supply of the Head-Up Display (HUD) sub-system, the Flight Management System, and the GNSS receiver.

Satcom Direct Avionics, the Canadian division of Satcom Direct (SD), has won a competitive bid to deliver multi-band aeronautical connectivity services for Shared Services Canada (SSC) and its clients for a period of up to seven years. This represents the first signing of such an agreement between the two entities, which will see SD Avionics provide appropriately secured high-speed broadband and datalink services, hardware, hosting, and infrastructure services to support global aeronautical missions for SSC and other federal Canadian government bodies. The deal will be supported by value-added services, including training and customer support, as well as regular upgrades of the technology.

Field Effect, a global cybersecurity solutions and services provider with clients across the US, Canada, UK, and Australia has secured a $30 million debt facility for strategic acquisitions and global expansion through Scotiabank's Technology Innovation and Banking Group.

Any CAF member who has experienced sexual harassment, sexual misconduct or any other form of discrimination while performing their duties can choose to bring their complaint directly to the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC). The Canadian Human Rights Commission is Canada's human rights watchdog and operates independently from the Government of Canada.