HENSOLDT is supplying two more of its TRML-4D high-performance radars to strengthen Ukraine's air defence. As part of an order worth a two-digit million euro sum, the two radars will be delivered in the next three months. At the turn of the year, HENSOLDT had already contracted four TRML-4D radars as part of the IRIS-T SLM air defence system for Ukraine.

Defence Minister Anita Anand is visiting Kyiv, Ukraine, to reaffirm Canada’s unwavering solidarity with Ukraine and to meet with Ukrainian officials, including Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov.

The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have confirmed that remains recovered in Vendin-le-Vieil, France, are those of Corporal Percy Howarth, a Canadian soldier of the First World War. The identity was confirmed through historical, genealogical, anthropological, archaeological and DNA analysis.

Defence Minister Anita Anand announced that Canada is purchasing a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) and associated munitions from the United States to donate to Ukraine. This high-priority donation is the first Canadian donation of an air defence system to Ukraine.

Spaceflight, a premier launch and in-space transportation services provider, has signed an agreement with Maritime Launch Services to launch up to five of its Sherpa Orbital Transfer Vehicles (OTVs). The launches will be from Spaceport Nova Scotia aboard the Cyclone-4M beginning in 2025.

The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) keeps waterways safe for mariners, protects the marine environment and responds to over 6,000 calls for marine assistance each year. On an average day, the CCG coordinate the response to 19 search and rescue incidents, assist 68 people and save 18 lives. This is why providing Canadian Coast Guard personnel with the vessels they need to deliver these critical services to Canadians remains a priority for the Government of Canada.

It was confirmed in a briefing on January 9th that Canada will buy all 88 F-35s in a phased approach, with the initial investment including infrastructure upgrades, spare parts and other one-time costs. Canada is expected to pay US$85 million per F-35, which officials say is the same price as the United States.

L3Harris Technologies has received a $40 million Department of Defense (DoD) contract to deliver 14 Vehicle Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment – or VAMPIRE™ multi-purpose weapons system – to strengthen Ukrainian security defence efforts.

Cubic Corporation has appointed Paul Shew as President of Cubic Mission and Performance Solutions (CMPS), effective January 9, 2023. Shew will lead the strategic vision for CMPS and its product lines while identifying opportunities to continue to drive CMPS’ performance for existing customers and partners, expand its presence with new products and customers, and grow the business. He will report to Cubic President & CEO Stevan Slijepcevic.

The contract includes upgrades of 13 existing Cormorant SAR helicopters and the augmentation of a further three aircraft. The program will be executed by Team Cormorant led by Leonardo and comprising IMP Aerospace and Defence, GE Canada and Collins Aerospace Canada.

Defence Minister Anita Anand and Chief of the Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre concluded a trip to Scotland, Kuwait, and Jordan, where they met with and thanked Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members deployed abroad.

The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) held a ceremony on 19 December at the Anápolis Air Base (BAAN) marking the beginning of operational activities of the Gripen E fighters (referred to as Gripen F-39 in Brazil) by the First Air Defense Group (1st GDA)

The countdown to December 24th has begun! As the big night approaches, the Canadian NORAD Region (CANR) will be monitoring and escorting Santa as he completes his journey through Canadian airspace once again! The news was released earlier via a short video on Social Media.

Saab and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) have signed a contract and Saab has received an order to ensure the continued operability of and provide capability enhancements to the fighter aircraft JAS 39 Gripen C/D. The order value is approximately SEK 3.5 billion and the contract period is 2023-2029. The contract also includes options that enable FMV to place additional orders for capability enhancements during 2023.

Aéro Montréal and EY Canada have unveiled a new study on diversity, equity and inclusion in the Canadian aerospace industry. Key recommendations for improving diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices in the aerospace sector. The presentation of the conclusions of the study, conducted by Ernst & Young LLP (EY Canada), was attended by Mr. Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy and Minister responsible for Regional Economic Development, as well as many members of the industry.

Cellula Robotics has successfully completed sea trials of Imotus-S AUV. Imotus-S enables deployed vessels to easily monitor their magnetic and acoustic signature in a timely manner without having to leave station.

Defence Minister Anita Anand tabled a report in Parliament that outlines the reforms that will be implemented to address each one of Madame Arbour’s recommendations. In particular, Madame Arbour’s final report, which Minister Anand welcomed in May 2022, provides 48 recommendations to effect transformative change in the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (DND/CAF). Since receiving her report, DND/CAF analyzed, undertook consultations, and provided options to Minister Anand on the path forward.

The German Ministry of Defense is procuring 35 Lockheed Martin 5th Generation F-35 Lightning II aircraft.

Marshall Land Systems Canada has confirmed details of the first international customers for its new production facility in Moncton, announcing plans to manufacture a range of specialist containers for the Dutch Armed Forces as part of two major programs for the Netherlands.

Production of the first ‘made in Canada’ containers under the Defensiebrede Vervanging Operationele Wielvoertuigen (DVOW) and Netherlands Specialised Containers (NLSC) contracts, which will ultimately be deployed to support Royal Netherlands Army missions around the world, is expected to begin once work to fit out the 82,000 square foot facility is fully completed next year.

The two contracts for the Remote Mine-hunting and Disposal System (RMDS), valued at up to $57.9 million (taxes included), were awarded to Kraken Robotic Systems Inc. of Mount Pearl, N.L. These new systems will enable the Royal Canadian Navy to identify and destroy sea mines and underwater improvised explosive devices, while also ensuring the safety of its crews. The RMDS will be used primarily on Kingston-class vessels and can be used on other RCN ships to support a wide range of operations as required. This capability, once implemented, will protect Canadian warships deployed overseas where the mine threat is assessed as high.

Bell Textron Inc. has been awarded a contract for the U.S. Army’s next generation of helicopter to replace its fleet of Black Hawks. contract worth up to $1.3B, beating out a Lockheed Martin-Boeing team. The official program is called the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft, or FLRAA program.

Canada’s Minister of National Defence, Anita Anand, announced that permanent residents are now welcome to apply to enroll in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The CAF encourages permanent residents to give serious consideration to a military career in Canada. Canada offers facilitated pathways to citizenship by recognizing the military service to Canada of permanent residents who join the CAF, and citizenship applications from CAF members will be processed on a priority basis by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

On this deployment, the ships conducted 38 replenishments at sea with multiple partner nations, including a first-time replenishment at sea with a Japanese Izumo-class helicopter carrier. This Japanese carrier resupplied HMCS Winnipeg, and His Majesty’s New Zealand Ship Aotearoa resupplied HMCS Vancouver. Further, RCN ships participated in seven international exercises, including the signature binational exercise with Japan, KAEDEX (derived from “kaede,” meaning “maple” in Japanese). As well, for the first time, Canada had two frigates and a CP-140 aircraft participating in Exercise KEEN SWORD, which this year included approximately 36,000 military personnel.

Under a partnership agreement Bluedrop Training and Simulation of Canada and Air Rescue UK, the Bluedrop Hoist Mission Training System will be available in Europe in early 2023. Under the banner of Air Rescue Training and Simulation (ARTS) a Bluedrop portable Hoist Mission Training System (HMTS) will be positioned at the ARTS training centre to offer Simulation-As-A-Service (SimAAS) to customers in Europe, Middle East & Africa.