What's Canada Buying? September 26, 2012

• F-35 Tug o’ War (1)  If ceasefire.ca is plugging a TV program, what are the odds it’ll be PRO anything military?
• F-35 Tug o’ War (2)  Note to ceasefire.ca:  Lee Berthiaume does NOT work for The Canadian Press – but I notice my comment to that effect hasn’t been included after this post just yet.  Here’s the “before” screen shot if they decide to correct it.
• F-35 Tug o’ War (3a)  Question Period:  Whazzup with $700K for PR for the F-35?  This from the Public Works Minister:  “…. he National Fighter Procurement Secretariat has been set up to oversee the due diligence that is necessary in the decision to replace our CF-18s. Of course, as she knows, the secretariat is made up of the most senior public servants in government responsible for military procurement and two independent members, one of whom is a respected academic and the other a very well-respected former auditor general. I would ask her to allow them to do their work. All of their work will be public ….”
• F-35 Tug o’ War (3b)  Question Period again:  When will we see open bids and a statement of requirements for this thing?  Public Works Minister’s response:  “….  the member knows well that my responsibility as Minister of Public Works and Government Services is to ensure that the process is followed. The Auditor General found flaws in the cost estimates put forward by the Department of National Defence and recommended that new cost estimates be provided. We are going further than that. We are asking for an independent evaluation and validation of those cost estimates. We have hired KPMG to do that and we look forward to those cost estimates being made public to parliamentarians.”
• F-35 Tug o’ War (4)  “Defence planners are examining a proposition that would see Canada run an advanced multi-national training course for the F-35 if the contentious stealth fighter program gets the go-ahead from the Harper government, industry sources say.  Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake, a sprawling, isolated air force facility in northern Alberta, would serve as a training school for pilots already qualified on the aircraft to learn to use the plane’s weapons systems.  The airfield is already home to an air-to-ground weapons school for the country’s current fleet of CF-18s, but the proposition would see Canada transition to the F-35 and open up instruction to other countries that are part of the program.  “So this allows Canada to run a graduate level training centre, which brings resources into Canada, which brings countries in to fly; that brings revenue and a whole bunch of other things and capabilities that are augmented by these countries who don’t have this kind of airspace,” said a defence source with knowledge of the scenario ….”
• German firm hoping to get a piece of the Big Honkin’ Ship action?  “The Atlas Elektronik Group, a worldwide-acting company for maritime defence electronics, has founded a subsidiary in Canada. Atlas Elektronik Canada Ltd has been set up to establish a strong and reliable partnership with the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian authorities. As potential main contractor, Atlas Elektronik Canada will provide Atlas products and solutions for current and future Canadian users.  For decades now Atlas has been offering a broad range of sonars and sensors, command and control systems for submarines and surface combatants, heavyweight torpedoes and corresponding countermeasures, mine warfare systems, unmanned underwater vehicles, as well as coastal surveillance systems. To round off its broad palette, Atlas offers a comprehensive range of support services, both before and after delivery of the products.  Dieter Rottsieper and Volker Paltzo, Managing Directors of the Atlas Elektronik Group, stated: “We believe in a strong demand for Atlas products and capabilities to support Royal Canadian Navy. We are happy to extend our presence in Canada and to establish a subsidiary. We look forward to creating new partnerships with Canadian authorities and companies” ….”
• MORE ceasefire.ca/Rideau Institute criticism, this time of proposed moves toward DND buying smarter in Canada  “…. Encouraging companies to build for the defence market when military spending is declining here and internationally makes no economic sense. The future is in global products such as Bombardier’s new passenger planes, not fighter planes.  Experience has shown that arms industries become dependent on public funds. Let’s leave the military-industrial complex to the Americans, and create a world-class manufacturing sector Canadians can be proud of ….”
• Biz prof on the same plan:  “…. This is not about picking the best hardware for the military, as National Defense has very valid concerns about this policy increasing cost overruns and delivery delays. It is rather about using defense department dollars as a way for government to support companies that it sees as future economic champions. The policy is based on the flawed premise that a country can create economic growth by overpaying for goods and services ….”     
• Columnist’s take:  “Today’s very bad idea: according to another leading paper, the Conservatives are about to launch a “Canada-first military purchasing strategy.” Its aim is to waste money, prop up inefficient arms makers, and make even more incestuous the already cosy relationship between industry, lobbyists, bureaucrats, and politicians ….”    
• On the other hand….  “The Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) has welcomed news that the federal government may be seeking a “Canada-first” military procurement strategy that would see domestic production favoured for defence contracts.  “With a number of significant military procurements in the federal government’s pipeline, it is important to work quickly to ensure Canadian industry is employed strategically and in a meaningful way,” said Tim Page, President of CADSI. “We know what the defence and security sector can accomplish, in terms of creating jobs, stimulating the economy, driving innovation and contributing to Canadian export success. We can realize this potential when and as the government implements a defence procurement strategy that capitalizes on Canada’s key industrial capabilities and helps to nurture capabilities of strategic value to Canada’s future.” ….”
• “…. The Department of National Defence, Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) requires one (1) thermal infrared sensor and high resolution image-capable surveillance camera to be delivered to RMC located in Kingston, Ontario. The camera must be contained in a secure housing that includes a wiper, washer, blower, heater, and sun shield for long-term operation, and be able to capture images under all weather conditions, including rain, snow, smoke, and fog ….”
• Wanted:  Someone to supply bread for troops and prisoners across Alberta - more details (how much of what kind of bread they want) from part of bid document here.
  

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