What's Canada Buying? October 10, 2012

• “Special forces in both Canada and the United States are taking a close look at Canadian-made mini-submarines for the murky world of covert operations.  The cutting-edge subs, some of which are built in Canada, are seen by some in the U.S. Special Forces community as essential for specialized top-secret operations against threats such as al-Qaida in coastal countries.  One defence source in Washington, who spoke on background, said the U.S. Navy has been impressed with the submarine rescue system it purchased a few years ago from B.C.-based International Submarine Engineering, which also sells 7.6 metre submersibles capable of carrying a handful of soldiers.  The elite, secretive U.S. Special Forces is interested and also believes the subs would “be an ideal fit” for their Canadian counterparts, said the source, who was not authorized to speak publicly.  No program has been requested or planned, however, said Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson, the commander of Canada’s special forces.  “It is an area of interest,” Thompson said in an interview with The Canadian Press. “It is potentially another tool for the toolbox.” ….”
• “The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, (Monday) attended the grand opening for a new facility that will house the fleet of upgraded Light Armoured Vehicles (LAV) IIIs at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Petawawa. This infrastructure, valued at $21.8 million, supports the LAV III Upgrade Project, which was announced in July 2009 and aims to upgrade the fleet by improving the protection, mobility and lethality of the vehicle while maximizing command support and human interface factors. The project helped generate 102 job opportunities during the construction phase ….”
• Latest on the CF Fixed Wing Search and Rescue selection process:  “Airbus Military and Discovery Air To Make Announcement About Future of Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue in Canada” today in Yellowknife.  A reminder – the industry consultation phase is still under way, with a deadline (as of this post) of 21 Dec 12.
• Wanted:  +160,000 “commemorative pins” by December 1 (posting also available here if MERX link doesn’t work)   “The Directorate Soldier Systems Program Management, Department of National Defence requires the following promotional item …. Commemorative Pin (x) 162,400  A minimum of 80,000 pins must be received on or before November 9, 2012. The remainder of the pins must be received on or before December 1, 2012 ….”
• Wanted:  medical hardware, specifically a portable dental X-ray machine capable of being used in “various extreme environments, (damp, dusty, hot, cold, uneven terrain, etc.)” and a portable digital ultrasound.
  
• “AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that its fleet of AW101 (formerly EH101) “Cormorant” search and rescue helicopters has achieved dual milestones of 10 years active service with the Royal Canadian Air Force and 50,000 operating hours.  “Canada’s Cormorants are the benchmark for AW101s around the world,” said Jeremy Tracy, AgustaWestland’s Head of Region for Canada. “We are proud to be supplying a helicopter which helps the Canadian Forces’ search and rescue squadrons perform selfless heroics time and time again ensuring the safety and survival of Canadians anywhere on and offshore.”  Mr. Tracy recently presented a certificate marking the 50,000 operating hours by the Cormorant fleet to Lieutenant-General Alain Parent, the former Commander of 1 Canadian Air Division, just prior to his appointment as Deputy Commander of NORAD. Parent acknowledged the AW101 saying, “the Cormorant in SAR operations in Canada performs well with a capability second to none.” ….”

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