What's Canada Buying? September 29, 2012

• “Speaking at the Aéro Montréal Global Supply Chain Summit, the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Associate Minister of National Defence, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) (La Francophonie) and M.P. for Madawaska-Restigouche (yesterday) highlighted the importance of the aerospace and defence industry in the Canadian economy.  “Our Government is committed to the sound management of taxpayer’s money and we have to make absolutely sure that defence acquisition is timely, cost-effective and transparent,” said Minister Valcourt. “We will continue to look for ways to improve the system to help Canadian companies access the maximum benefit from our defence procurements.”  Focused on maximizing job creation, the Government continues to work to improve the collaboration with industry throughout the defence acquisition process, from cutting red tape to improvements to Canada’s Industrial and Regional Benefits strategy (IRBs) ….”   
• F-35 Tug o’ War  And what’s the latest news-speak version of an update from the Info-machine material above?  “The modernization of CF-18 fighter jets ahead of schedule and under budget”
• Remember this biggie (“construction of the Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre” for ~$36.9M) for Trenton?  Potential bidders now have a bit more time to bid.
• “Discovery Air Inc. (“Discovery Air”) announced today that the Government of Canada has extended Top Aces’ interim contracted airborne training services (“ICATS”) Standing Offers for a further three year term commencing in June 2013 and ending in June 2016.  Top Aces Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Discovery Air, has been the exclusive supplier of “fast jet” (Type 1) and “business jet” (Type 2) airborne training services to the Canadian Forces through standing offers since 2005. The ICATS program supports Army Forward Air Controller training in close air support operations, and supports the Air Force and Navy in adversary support and live fire target practice. The program also includes an electronic warfare simulation capability supported by Department of National Defence Electronic Warfare Officers ….”