True North Strategic Review

This Week in Defence (08/25/26): Sweden, Kongsberg, New Icebreaker Order, Trade Wars, Grobs, A Host of Minerva, CDC, Alberta followup

Noah — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 23:01:08 GMT

Wanna Sponsor us? Limited slots are coming up next month! Contact us at info@truenorthstrategicreview.ca for our advertising package!

Hey Gang.

I hope you all had a great weekend. I have officially landed back in Canada! After a week of being stuck in Sweden, I am finally almost home, at least back to my own country lol. I know it has been… a weekend, for a lot of us. I don't wanna go give a speech here on politics and such. That isn't the positivity we want.

Instead, I hope we can focus on more of the good stuff from the week. We have lots of Sweden pictures, a firm contact on the Program Icenreakers, and some fun rumors to make up for the lack last week. So let's not wait up!

Remember that you can always submit your media and press releases to us at media@truenorthstrategicreview.ca!

This Week in Defences Project and Lobbying Updates are supported by Dominion Dynamics Aurion platform. Aurion is an open data platform designed to increase transparency across Canada's defence procurement ecosystem.

The RFI for Space Command and Control has been updated with new documentation
The RFI for the Bridge and Gap Crossing Modernization Project (BGCM) has been updated with new documentation
The RFI for the Dive Tender Replacement (DTR) Project has been updated with new documentation
The MINERVA project for Arctic Uncrewed Air Systems has been updated with new documentation
We also have three new MINERVA projects this week, with new RFP for Uncrewed Air Systems for Cargo/Munition Drop, Uncrewed Ground Systems for Tactical Cargo Movement, and another for Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Uncrewed Air Systems that have been released

• There is some early talks that CDC might go through another shift, though in what ways I can't say at this time. There has been a lot of debate the last few weeks about cementing requirements for CDC, and part of that could include some last minute changes to requirements being an RFI drops.

• Following up on the topic of an Alberta MOU on Defence. We have been told to expect a number of priorities to be laid out including Alberta-specific promises in energetics, autonomous sytems, and transportation infrastructure to all be laid out. It's deeper it seems than I first expected it to be.

• To make note, we will not be speculating in American defence demands in the newsletter. I refuse to take part in the chaos and drama. Anything related to current negotiations will be done in it's own space outside the newsletter

Thanks for reading True North Strategic Review! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Kepler Delivers Optical Infrastructure for Real-Time Space Operations

Noah — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 21:00:44 GMT

TORONTO, Aug. 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kepler Communications today announced that its next-generation optical data relay network is delivering commercial services to customers worldwide, expanding the company’s infrastructure for real-time space operations as the first tranche completes commissioning.

Following the successful launch in January 2026, Kepler offers the first commercial space data relay service available, now supporting a diverse customer set across commercial and government markets. The company’s constellation is enabling real-time, on-demand space operations through resilient connectivity, onboard computing, and hosted payloads.

Designed around an IP-based architecture with optical inter-satellite links and distributed edge computing, Kepler’s next-generation constellation allows customers to move, process, and access mission data with greater speed and flexibility.

"Reaching commercial operations at scale is a defining milestone for Kepler," said Mina Mitry, CEO and Co-Founder of Kepler. "Over the past several years, we've demonstrated what's possible with optical networking in space. Today, we're delivering on real-time mission needs while laying the foundation for the next generation of space operations."

Kepler supports missions spanning Earth observation, space domain awareness, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), defence, and other real-time use cases. Customers can securely transmit, process, and distribute data across the network before it reaches Earth, enabling AI-enabled mission workflows, reducing latency, and supporting increasingly autonomous space operations. The constellation also enables hosted payload customers to deploy sensors and applications on proven infrastructure with integrated connectivity and onboard compute.

The company has proven its optical capabilities across a range of SDA-compatible operational scenarios, including space-to-space links, cross-plane optical tracking, and space-to-ground links with more than 10 optical ground stations across multiple continents. Kepler also completed the world’s first commercial demonstration of space-to-air optical data relay from low Earth orbit.

In 2028, Kepler will expand its global optical data relay network with its next tranche of spacecraft across multiple launches, including a dedicated launch with Rocket Lab, to support growing customer demand. The expanded constellation will increase network capacity, resilience, and performance, with advanced optical terminals supporting data rates up to 100 Gbps and future missions including the European Space Agency’s HydRON program.

To learn more about Kepler, please visit https://kepler.space/

ABOUT KEPLER

Kepler Communications Inc. is a space infrastructure provider on a mission to deliver real-time access to space data. With 33 satellites launched to date, Kepler operates the first commercial optical data relay constellation, enabling real-time, continuous space connectivity while supporting advanced on-orbit compute and hosted payload capabilities. Kepler has achieved industry-leading milestones, including the first commercial on-orbit demonstration of SDA-compatible optical inter-satellite links and successful space-to-air and space-to-ground optical communication demonstrations. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Kepler is building a global company to enable the future space economy.

Canada marks start of major infrastructure upgrades at 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown

Noah — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 20:48:37 GMT

August 25, 2026 – Oromocto, New Brunswick – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Today, David Myles, Member of Parliament for Fredericton—Oromocto, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages and to the Secretary of State (Nature), on behalf of the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, marked the start of Phase 1 construction on the Recapitalization Gagetown Range and Training Area project at 5th Canadian Division Support Base (5 CDSB) Gagetown.

The Phase 1 construction contract was awarded to K-Line Construction Limited, a New-Brunswick-based company, in June 2026. This phase of the project is expected to support approximately 100 jobs in the region.

Phase 1 of the project includes:

upgrading priority roads;
designing static-range and impact-area firebreak roads;
designing the replacement of two bridges;
modernizing anti-armour range infrastructure;
replacing key medical and administrative facilities at Camp Petersville; and
restoring selected Austere Village buildings.

Phase 2 is expected to begin in 2028 and will include construction of infrastructure designed during Phase 1.

Valued at approximately $871 million, the project represents a major component of the $1 billion in investments at 5 CDSB Gagetown announced in April 2026. The modernization will renew critical infrastructure across one of Canada's primary Army training areas and strengthen the Army’s capacity to conduct realistic, demanding training in support of operational readiness.

Modern, resilient defence infrastructure is fundamental to military readiness. Investments in training areas such as Base Gagetown give Canadian Armed Forces members the facilities and training environment required to prepare for increasingly complex operations and respond to threats at home and abroad.

Quotes

“Investing in Gagetown is an investment in the readiness of the Canadian Army and in the people who serve Canada. This major modernization will give our soldiers the infrastructure and training environment they need to prepare for the most demanding missions, while supporting good jobs here in New Brunswick. We are rebuilding the foundations of Canada’s defence capabilities — with modern, resilient infrastructure that will serve the Canadian Armed Forces for decades to come.”

The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence

“Today’s groundbreaking marks an important step forward for 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown and our community. These investments will modernize roads, bridges and training facilities that our Canadian Armed Forces members rely on every day, while creating jobs and supporting New Brunswick businesses. Gagetown is a cornerstone of our local community and a critical part of Canada’s defence infrastructure, and I’m proud to see this significant investment moving forward.”

David Myles, Member of Parliament for Fredericton—Oromocto, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages and to the Secretary of State (Nature)

"This important investment reflects the value of strong collaboration between the Department of National Defence, Defence Construction Canada and industry partners. Together, we are helping deliver the modern, resilient infrastructure that will support safe and effective training at 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown and deliver long-term value for the Canadian Armed Forces.”

Derrick Cheung, President and Chief Executive Officer, Defence Construction Canada

Quick facts

The 5 CDSB Gagetown Range and Training Area is one of Canada’s largest and most important military training areas. It is home to the Combat Training Centre and several Canadian Army schools, including Armour, Artillery, Infantry, and Tactics Schools, as well as the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering. It supports individual and collective training for Regular and Reserve Force units as well as Allies and partner forces.
The project continues the important work of the Defence Team to enhance operational readiness, renew critical defence infrastructure, and improve resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Defence Construction Canada is the contracting authority for the Department of National Defence’s infrastructure and environment requirements.

Canadian Armed Forces Launch Operation NANOOK NUNAKPUT to Strengthen Security Along the Canadian Arctic Archipelago

Noah — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 20:43:12 GMT

August 25, 2026 – Ottawa, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have launched Operation NANOOK‑NUNAKPUT, taking place until September 25 in and around Resolute Bay, Nunavut.

Nunakput, an Inuktitut word meaning "Our Land," reflects the operation's focus on maintaining a sustained presence along the Canadian Arctic Archipelago through close collaboration with Indigenous communities, the Canadian Coast Guard, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and other mission partners. This year's operation integrates maritime, land, and air capabilities to enhance Arctic surveillance, mobility, and operational readiness. It also strengthens the CAF's ability to deploy, sustain, and operate joint forces in remote northern regions while supporting safe waterways and resilient communities.

Operation NANOOK is conducted throughout the year alongside other Arctic operations. For example, Operation NANOOK‑TUUGAALIK, which focuses on a maritime presence in the region, is underway until October. As an Arctic nation and a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Canada continues to support a stronger Allied presence in the Arctic, including through enhanced Vigilance Activity ARCTIC SENTRY.

Quotes

Operation NANOOK-NUNAKPUT reflects the Canadian Armed Forces’ enduring commitment to the Arctic and the North. Working closely with northern partners, federal agencies, and international allies, we are strengthening our ability to monitor activity across the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, deter threats to regional stability, and defend Canada’s sovereignty in this strategically vital region. Through a permanent presence and near-persistent operation, the Canadian Armed Forces remains ready, capable, and engaged in protecting Canada’s northern approaches and advancing security in the Arctic.’’

Lieutenant-General Steve Boivin, Commander, Canadian Joint Operations Command

"Operation NANOOK-NUNAKPUT highlights the strength of the partnerships that enable us to operate successfully in Canada's Arctic. Working alongside northern Indigenous communities, the Canadian Coast Guard, and other mission partners, Joint Task Force North is strengthening relationships, enhancing readiness, and improving the Canadian Armed Forces ability to respond effectively across the Canadian Arctic Archipelago when called upon."

Brigadier-General Marc Parent, Commander, Joint Task Force North

Quick facts

More than 350 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel, including Canadian Rangers, are participating in the operation.
Participating organizations include the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Coast Guard, Joint Task Force North, and Canadian Rangers.
Key activities include surveillance training, air and land mobility exercises, the movement of heavy equipment, and integrated air, land and maritime activities.
Community engagement activities include a Terry Fox Run on September 4 and a Community Relations Day on September 5, providing opportunities for exercise participants to meet with residents and community partners.
Operation NANOOK-NUNAKPUT strengthens Canada's permanent presence and near-persistent operational posture in the Arctic by enhancing the CAF's ability to deploy, operate, and sustain forces in remote northern environments.
The operation reinforces Canada's commitment to Arctic sovereignty, continental defence, and the security of North America while strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities that are critical to successful Arctic operations.
Operation NANOOK supports North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s enhanced Vigilance Activity ARCTIC SENTRY, contributing to awareness, deterrence, and defence across the Arctic region.

Noah in Sweden: The Weekend & The Air Show

Noah — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 19:53:08 GMT

The weekend in Sweden can best be described as tiring.

We were extremely lucky to have some time the day prior to the show to get to visit Malmen. There were plans to meet officials for a bit of a briefing on various programs being undertaken by Saab, which also gave a chance to see some of the early practicing.

Linköping is a very beautiful city, I'll say that. Sweden itself reminds me a lot of home when you're in the countryside, but once you hit the cities, it feels like a whole other world. Of course, I came at probably the worst time to avoid people, with a festival and the air show scheduled together.

Those two alone made things chaotic, to say the least. Even some of the local folks were saying how packed it was and how many people there were. I like people, so it didn't bother me none; but it absolutely felt like we were in a far bigger city. Linköping has a very similar population to my hometown, so I definitely took note.

One other weird thing—maybe not weird, but interesting—if you're ever in Sweden, you notice how much of the local food scene is relatively foreign food. I was surprised at how much Swedes loved burgers. Burgers everywhere, I swear. Sushi, Chinese, pizza, doner. If I looked for Swedish food, there were times I would struggle to find it.

Swedish burgers, though, are very good. I am not the biggest fan of smash burgers, but they seem to like them a lot, and they were all quite good. Bastard Burgers (yes) is a bit pricey, admittedly. I also had a very lovely arctic char while here; that was really nice. Did not try pickled herring, though.

After an early 5 AM wakeup call, we started Day 3 with a series of presentations on various platforms, including GlobalEye, Gripen, and Saab's future aircraft programs. This dominated the morning of Day 3, and at least for me, was highly educational.

Of course, I plan more dedicated content to go into this for this week, as there was a lot to take in; but we did get a very detailed rundown on where things stood. I came out of it having learned quite a lot, not just about the platforms themselves, but also Saab's internal vision.

Of course, before that, I couldn't help but snag some photos of both the Gripen they had outside and of the future A3 Autonomous Collaborative Platform. That is the term the company has seemingly chosen to differentiate A3 for attritable and optionally-attritable CCA. A3 is the further iteration of Saab's autonomous line; though not the final endgame, it currently represents their furthest concept in this domain.

It is one of several platforms being developed under Sweden's Koncept för Framtida Stridsflyg (KFS) program. A fully autonomous, supersonic platform able to act both in tandem with other platforms and independently, A3 was described as a "survivable, reusable platform" able to operate independently in GPS-denied, comms-degraded, and EW-contested environments—as opposed to a lot of the current CCA methodology of cheap, attritable platforms able to bring sustained mass at scale.

That isn't to say Saab isn't working on these concepts, nor do they position A3 as a competitive idea; instead, the company puts A3 as a layer between a cheaper CCA and a manned fighter—cheaper than a Gripen, but far more capable than something like an Anduril Fury or Kratos Valkyrie, to give examples.

The company envisions A3 as a high-end, collaborative partner to current platforms like GlobalEye and Gripen, as well as any future platforms that come along, whatever those may be. A3 will support a number of tasks, according to Saab, including EW/SEAD, deep penetration strike, and potentially air-to-air combat.

A3 is not a Gripen replacement—that was emphasized—but does bridge the gap between Gripen and a potential future fighter. It was noted by Saab that they are still waiting for direction on a future fighter beyond Gripen, which makes A3 important in keeping the workforce experienced in developing fighter-sized aircraft, while providing a platform to test future technologies ahead of such a decision. A3 itself is an internal development by Saab, though they seem confident they can get the Swedish government to commit to it.

Before A3, there will be A1 and A2. A1 is expected to fly within the next fifteen months, with A2 to follow by 2030. A1 and A2 will both utilize the GE F414 engine, while a future engine for A3 is yet to be decided. A2 will also introduce an internal weapons bay to the family.

I expect that A3 will fall broadly along the same lines on the engine front to ensure commonality among the fleet, but that is just me. Details at this time remain fairly scarce as to what capabilities A3 will have. We were told that A3 could feature a full sensor suite, including a version of the Arexis family EW suite if desired, but beyond that, information was scarce.

We will talk about A3 more, maybe tomorrow, but I wanted to give the brief rundown of it. I would like to try not to get too lost in going into extremely long details on the platforms themselves; I would rather do that in a dedicated space with some proper time to gather my thoughts and notes. I will make one last note on the ACP front by saying that Saab has apparently extended the offer for Canada to collaborate on the platform, if we desire.

There were a few other things that stood out to me, though, on the production side of things. When it came to GlobalEye, I was surprised to learn that the company recently expanded capacity to work on upwards of eight airframes at a time from their Linköping facility.

I also learned that the company aims to deliver up to four systems per year by 2030, with the current backlog including Sweden, France, and an unnamed Middle Eastern customer. France is interesting because I was under the assumption they would utilize their own airframe to integrate Erieye, but no, they plan to stick to the Global 6500.

Speaking of the 6500, there was also reaffirmation that the company plans, at this time, to stay with the 6500 as the baseline airframe. There are no current plans to move up to something like the 8000. They think the 6500 is more than capable enough for what is asked.

The conversion process currently takes, from contract to delivery, about 48 months to complete. Saab is currently working to improve those timelines to deliver faster, a lot of which will be driven by efficiency management and through cutting down on things like flight testing as GlobalEye hits milestones. We'll talk more about that, of course, later.

Capacity is probably the closest thing to the word of the week here. Capacity is the driver of a lot of conversations, and it is the topic I think came up the most from Saab as a challenge. Sweden is a small country, with a limited workforce and space available to an increasingly large number of companies.

Saab themselves are hiring upwards of three thousand people per year to keep up across the spectrum, and they still expect that number to keep growing year-on-year. Gripen is in a similar field. While obviously I couldn't get detailed info on negotiations and where they were hunting, the company aims to produce about thirty Gripens per year, and that (according to their own estimates) is not enough.

And so Saab is actively hunting a third production facility beyond Linköping and Gavião Peixoto. It was stressed to me that, ideally, Canada would be that location. I won't go into details on the proposal yet—that is for later—but I did want to make that note that Saab is holding out on other locations as they await to see our decision, though it was said that Saab would not be able to wait forever on a potential decision.

Such a facility would be conditioned on the acquisition of Gripen by Canada. The scale of the facility, what it does, and the investments planned are dependent on how many are ordered. While the company couldn't provide a direct minimum acquisition number for a Canadian facility, Brazil remains the current benchmark. So we would likely need an order of ~40 airframes to see a Canadian facility in some capacity.

I asked a lot of questions to folks and heard a lot, so I'm still trying to organize my thoughts and categorize things; but the production side of things was absolutely highlighted throughout this trip, not just as an incentive, but as a general concern for the company.

No matter what, a new Gripen facility will be built, and new facilities for GlobalEye will be needed. That doesn't change whether we order or not. Where they go is the question right now. GlobalEye can be secured on its own. It is not conditional on Gripen; it ain't a package deal in terms of both facilities being tied.

With all of this, though, we will go into deeper details later this week. For now, though, I did want to get this stuff a bit off my chest and highlight it, considering how much it was emphasized this entire week. Day 3 after this was primarily resting and relaxing once we left. We did get to see part of the Gripen display being practiced before we left, as well as the Finnish Hornet display.

I also got to meet the folks at GKN Aerospace in their latest 'UAV' demonstrator, which you can, of course, read about in our release. I didn't get much time with them, but it was really cool to hear them talk about the process of not only needing to develop their own platform, but also working to develop their own engine for it.

Still a conceptual product, but really interesting to see what others around us are doing. It can be beneficial to step into other people's ecosystems, engage with them, and see what it is they're working on and doing.

The rest of the weekend was spent at the air show itself, and oh boy, was it something. They say over 100,000 people attended both days, and it certainly felt like it. I spent most of the show both engaging with the fine folks in attendance and taking the opportunity to see some aircraft I don't usually get to see, like the Eurofighter, up close.

Being Canadian, obviously most European aircraft are outside the usual scope of what we see at these events, so I took a long time to just sort of relax and enjoy them. Having the chance to see both a Eurofighter and an A400 up close were personal bucket list items for myself.

The air show was lovely, obviously. So was seeing the F-35 for the first time in my life! I sadly didn't get to talk to anyone, but it was still fairly cool to see up close. I also got a lot of photos of the Swedish Grob G 120TP, which was absolutely a showstealer in terms of looks.

While here, I had a chance to sit in and engage with Saab CEO Micael Johansson on the company's outlook and plans. I also got a chance to see the surprise appearence of Lieutenant General Anatolii Kryvonozhko, Commander of the Ukrainian Air Force this week, and even hear him speak! That was a cool surprise.

While there, I also took the talk to the Saab Nimbrix team on their C-UAS plans, as well as introduce them a bit to Canada's C-UAS plans, including the Defence Drone Initiative. Nimbrix, for those who don't know, is Saab's C-UAS effector designed to target Group I and II UAS.

While Nimbrix remains in development, Saab is already looking to the future of the platform as a family of C-UAS munitions. While the current Nimbrix, which we will call Version One, will remain on the market, it will be joined in the future by several expanded versions, each adding their own capabilities, increased range and payload, different threat profiles, etc.

They sadly couldn't give me details on this family, but did confirm Nimbrix would soon be offered to the market. They also said they were interested in how Canada could potentially play a role in the supply chain. I also got word that Bolide 2, the latest version of Bolide for the RBS 70 NG, would soon start deliveries to partners.

While I didn't get to engage with folks, other highlights of the show included a Taurus model, a ground-based version of the RBS15, the LOKE C-UAS system, and a whole-ass Patriot. Overall, I had a fantastic time at the show. It was one of the best air shows I have seen in my short life seeing them, and I was happy to get out there.

From there, it was more crashing and dealing with tariff stuff. I skipped out on the show Sunday to engage with folks directly on things. That, of course, will be talked about later, as with much of the other things I have learned. For now, I am slowly trying to make my way back home to Canada, which should hopefully mean getting back to my proper schedule and self!

The rest of my photos from the show, for your pleasure

Prime Minister Carney speaks with Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz

Noah — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:29:37 GMT

Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, spoke with the Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz.

The Prime Minister and the Chancellor discussed deepening cooperation between Canada and Germany across defence, security, energy, and artificial intelligence (AI). Over the past year, the two countries have signed agreements on AI, quantum, and battery technologies, launched the Sovereign Technology Alliance, and secured more than six new critical minerals partnerships.

Last month, the leaders launched negotiations toward a Canada-Germany Strategic Partnership Agreement to further advance cooperation on key priorities, including security and defence, emerging technologies, supply chains and raw materials, energy, and space.

Building on their participation in the Coalition of the Willing meeting earlier today, Prime Minister Carney and Chancellor Merz reaffirmed their enduring support for Ukraine and the need to maintain pressure on Russia to achieve a just and lasting peace.

The leaders agreed to remain in close contact.

Prime Minister Carney participates in a virtual meeting in support of Ukraine

Noah — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:25:22 GMT

Today, on Ukraine’s 35th Independence Day, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, participated in a virtual meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in support of Ukraine. The meeting was hosted by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and co-chaired by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Andy Burnham, the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and the Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz.

The leaders reaffirmed their solidarity with the Ukrainian people and discussed their shared commitment to maintaining coordinated international support. They discussed ongoing efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence capabilities, bolster its energy security and critical infrastructure, and sustain economic pressure on Russia by continuing to implement and enforce new sanctions, including on Russia’s shadow fleet.

Prime Minister Carney reiterated Canada’s steadfast commitment to Ukraine, including through more than $2 billion in military assistance this year alone. The Prime Minister highlighted Ukraine’s role as a founding member of the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, which will reinforce long-term defence industrial cooperation among allies and partners.

The leaders underscored the urgent need to help Ukraine protect civilians and critical infrastructure from continued Russian attacks. They also discussed joint measures to strengthen Ukraine’s energy resilience, support essential infrastructure repairs, and ensure access to electricity and heating as part of broader humanitarian needs throughout the winter months.

Canada stands with Ukraine – and will for as long as it takes – to support a just and lasting peace and defend Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.

Prime Minister Carney announces the largest shipbuilding contract in Québec’s history

Noah — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 18:13:54 GMT

In a rapidly changing world, Canada is setting a new course. We are building our strength at home, diversifying our trading relationships abroad, and investing in the infrastructure that will secure our future. From the ports and corridors that move Canadian goods to market, to the ships that keep our trade routes open, we are laying the foundations of a stronger, more self-reliant country.

Established trading relationships are being tested, and Canada is not standing still. We are moving fast, seizing new opportunities, and reducing our dependence on any single partner.

That is why the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, today announced the largest shipbuilding contract in Québec’s history. The Government of Canada will invest more than $11 billion to build six new program icebreakers for the Canadian Coast Guard in partnership with Chantier Davie Canada Inc. This historic investment grows Canada’s domestic shipbuilding industry, strengthens our ability to keep critical trade routes open, and reinforces our strategic autonomy.

All six icebreakers will be built in Canada at the Davie Shipyard in Lévis, Québec, creating nearly 5,000 good jobs in the construction phase alone and contributing nearly $650 million annually to Canada’s GDP. Under the government’s Buy Canadian Policy, these vessels will be built with Canadian steel and other domestic materials, while maximising opportunities for Canadian manufacturers, suppliers, and small and medium-sized businesses.

The program icebreakers will replace the Coast Guard’s aging heavy and medium icebreakers – the ships that work Atlantic Canada and the St. Lawrence through the depth of winter, and the Arctic through the summer season. They cut open our most vital sea lanes, answer the call of ships in distress, and come to the aid of vessels trapped in the ice.

This investment will equip the women and men of the Canadian Coast Guard – the civilian service Canadians count on to keep our waters safe – with the modern ships they need to answer the call, from search and rescue to environmental response, for decades to come. Additionally, it secures Canada’s position as the home of NATO’s largest icebreaking fleet, bolsters national security in the North, and protects Canadian interests. Construction will begin in 2027, this first ship will be ready five years later, and the full fleet will be in service by 2038.

Canada’s new government is laser-focused on building a stronger, more independent, more resilient Canadian economy that drives prosperity for all. This is our economic strategy at work. We are expanding the Port of Montréal at Contrecœur and the Port of Québec to move more Canadian products to global markets. And we are using major federal procurement, from armoured vehicles to submarines and icebreakers, to build Canadian industrial capacity, strengthen domestic supply chains, and create high-paying careers here at home.

Canada is a trading nation with the world’s longest coastline. Today, we are strengthening our capacity to build ships at home, assert our presence in the Arctic, keep our waterways open, and move Canadian resources to new markets around the world.

Quotes

“Canada is now the best-connected economy in the world. Canada is building such unparalleled market access because we are trusted, reliable, and have what the world wants. These six state-of-the-art icebreakers will keep the trade routes that carry Canadian goods to the world accessible and secure. Built in Lévis by Canadian workers, they are a lasting investment in a stronger, more self-reliant Canada.”

The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada

“Canada’s economic security and national sovereignty depend on our ability to keep our waters open, secure, and moving. These six new icebreakers will keep Canadian trade flowing, strengthen our presence in the Arctic, and give the Coast Guard the capability it needs for decades to come. Built here in Lévis, by Canadian workers and with Canadian steel, they are an investment in our sovereignty, our industrial strength, and our future.”

The Hon. David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence

“As we shore up our economic sovereignty in a more unpredictable world, Canada continues to rely on trusted industrial partners like Chantier Davie. Their skilled workers here in Lévis are valued partners to the Government of Canada and have proven integral to the success of our Defence Industrial Strategy. Today’s announcement of a contract for six program icebreakers builds on their strong record and will bring good-paying jobs throughout the supply chain, translating into real economic benefits in Québec and across the country. The vessels themselves will secure our extensive coastlines and waterways, and contribute to a strong, sovereign Canada, long into the future.”

The Hon. Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Québec Lieutenant

Quick facts

Chantier Davie plays a critical role in supporting Canada’s fleets, building, repairing, and maintaining ships for the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) and the Royal Canadian Navy through more than $7.74 billion in contracts since 2012
As Polar Class 3 icebreakers, the program icebreakers will be designed as modern, versatile vessels capable of carrying a wide range of missions in challenging ice conditions across Canada’s waterways. They will form the next generation of Arctic capable ships, supporting growing operational demands in the North, from search and rescue and environmental response, to Northern resupply and Arctic science missions.
In 2019, the Government of Canada announced it would be procuring six new program icebreakers under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, as part of the CCG fleet renewal.
In 2024, the government awarded Chantier Davie a $19.6-million contract to begin initial design work for six new program icebreakers for the CCG.
In 2025, the Government of Canada awarded a $3.25 billion contract (before tax) to Chantier Davie for the construction of the Polar Max, which will be one of the most powerful and capable heavy icebreakers in the world.
In 2024, the Government of Canada signed the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort Pact with the United States and Finland to strengthen cooperation on the design, construction, and maintenance of Arctic and polar icebreakers, including through information sharing, workforce development, and joint research and development.

Noah Note: Colour me a bit surprised. This one felt like it came from nowhere, not that it wasn't coming soon, but it feels it just sorta happened. Of course a contract for the Programs has been sitting for a while in anguish, waiting to be picked up on by the feds. A previous contract from last year for initial work has some confused it seems. That wasnt the commitment for six, this is.

Either way, we have commitment now to six Program Icebreakers. While that was always the plan, a plan isnt a commitment until its in writing. This secures that finally, so no more room to speculate on what that final number might be. Of course, a pick-me-up after the weekend, including an announcement that can play into sovereignty and trade, isnt entirely unexpected in itself. I suspect thia was moced up a bit to play counter to that news.

Similarly I do always love acknowledging the planned largest Icebreaker fleet in NATO. Icebreaker itself as a deaignation is a real thing though, and what counts as an Icebreaker is… contentious to some. These are certainly Icebreakers, im not here to argue that, but it is a note I make when discussing numbers. Ice-Strengthened, Polar Rating does not equal an Icebreaker.

The Program themselves will be very capable vessels, supplementing the future bulk of the fleet in the MPI and the future Arpatuuq and Imnaryuaq. 20,000 nm range at 11 knots without refuelling, accommodation for up to 68 crew and program personnel, hangar and maintenance capacity for one medium CCG helicopter, and significant general and containerized cargo capacity.

They'll be excellent additions to the fleet when they come online, and that is honestly the really big thing about the story here. There is a pretty set timeline here, first delivery by 2032 and final by 2038. Essentially one delivered per year starting 2032. That alone is an insame timeline for most, least of all Levis in the midst of both modernization and their major peoject.

That is essentially the whole fleet delivered within the next decade, which would downright be one of the fastest shipbuilding timelines we have had from contract to final delivery, for a class of six vessels seemingly without much major support from Helsinki. That is a monumental task to ask of almost anyone really, but one I hope to see Davie rise to the challenge for.

That isnt small. It would certainly be a proving ground moment for the comoany if they can pull it off. Won't be easy, certainly.

On Trade & Defence & Stuff

Noah — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:17:04 GMT

Of course everything has to happen the week I am out of country. It wouldn't be a trip if there wasn't some drama back home!

Trade talks between Canada and the United States have failed, with both sides claiming the other's last-minute changes as the pretext for the breakdown. Now, details at this time still remain very scarce. Of course, at least this time there is no 13-hour difference for me!

I was originally just not going to talk about this, but so many of you asked that I felt the need to address it. Quite a few of you wanted my thoughts on the situation, which, while important, is still a bit out of our scope as a defence publication.

I won't pretend to be an economist, nor a trade negotiator. I leave that to the others of the world. I can't say what exactly happened here or where the faults were, though I guess we all have a collective suspicion Howard Lutnick is to blame here.

Either way, talks have collapsed. That is the important note here above all. The Prime Minister recalled negotiators the other night, and we are now staring down a further stretch of retaliatory measures and back-and-forth.

How far that goes I can't say, even on the defence side, though the defence side of things, for now, has been somewhat insulated from retaliation and actions. We've been lucky in that regard that the strategic relationship of the United States and Canada has been locked in a "tense but quiet" format.

There are no restrictions in place, cooperation continues to advance steadily, we continue to purchase American equipment, we're moving forward on the ICE Pact, and Canadian industry is still allowed unparalleled access to the American market through things like the DPSA.

While there have been some bumps along the way, such as with the recent pausing of participation in the Permanent Joint Board on Defence by the Americans (which itself hasn't met in years, to remind you), the overall relationship has remained more or less similar to the last.

Many other rumoured issues, such as the ability of American companies to get proper authorizations through things like TAA to participate in Canadian procurements, are again still rumors, and neither confirmed nor confirmed to come from malice.

Indeed, compared to many, while the industry in several aspects is being hit, the pure defence-related retaliations are likely to remain minimal in the immediate, and likely going forward still. There is, of course, little reason for the Americans to block FMS or restrict the Canadian defence industry that itself feeds primarily into the American Defence Industrial Base at a time of mass expansion and rebuilding critical stockpiles after the Iran War.

I also didn't want to comment too quickly. Details are still scarce, and the Trump administration is no stranger to causing drama on a Friday only to see the market reactions on Monday and pivot. As such, I like to wait a few days to make any clear judgements one way or the other.

Jumping in immediately with this stuff usually makes a fool out of someone later on. That is especially true of such serious discussions. So I am watching with a bit of a side-eye before I jump into comments and speculation on the future.

We've gone through these ups and downs now more times than I can count over the last year, and I am not ready to comment every time drama comes up on trade. That said, we can talk about the defence side as it relates to rumoured demands.

In this case, the Trump Administration has been clear on three major contention points with defence:

Complete the F35 order
Align on Golden Dome/NORAD Mod
Purchase more from American Industry

None of these are new demands from the American side—far from it. Golden Dome has been a demand since the start. There is room to interpret a bit what the American side is asking.

I assume that they are demanding the whole 88 F35 order move forward, though there is a timeline I believe where they could accept less without much of a fuss, depending on if they perceive a reduction as breaking terms.

Yes, we are only contracted at this time for 16 F35s, with long-lead items ordered to secure our spot for a further 14. While that is all well and good for us, for the Americans the question of interpretation can mean vastly more things than for us, and it is here that the point becomes a bit open-ended.

The Americans, I imagine, see a commitment as fairly firm. If they know we planned and committed to 88, they are likely to see any significant reduction as breaking the "spiritual" agreement in place. The room for interpretation, therefore, is whether any reduction is possible under the current administration.

Would Americans be okay with 70? 65? There have even been rumors of the Americans asking us to order more, though I have yet to get any serious confirmation there beyond a few people mentioning it. Either way, as I stand here in Sweden soon to see more Gripen, the question remains also on whether the Americans really care about a mixed fleet if we stick to a significant F35 order.

And the truth is likely that it depends, and who wins out depends on who ends up carrying the influence on the file. I am sure someone like Howard Lutnick cares deeply about it, while others certainly do not. Whoever wins the faction war for the choice of a Canadian mixed fleet is yet to be decided, as that choice isn't made yet.

However, I do not see the Americans outright blocking such a choice, such as, say, restricting the export of American components present in Gripen in the event of a Canadian order. Beyond the obvious reasoning of trust and destroying confidence in American suppliers, it is also not to be ignored that the Gripen E itself still has major American components, and those same companies are unlikely to allow the United States to restrict sales without some pushback, especially not on a potentially significant order.

A custom GE F414 Engine, a display from Collins Aerospace, Moog, L3Harris, Curtiss-Wright Controls, and even critical components like the TRM on the Raven ES-05 come from American suppliers.

Gripen E still feeds into the American Defence Industrial Base quite substantially, and still supports the American desire to see Canada spend more on defence. Restricting its potential sale, especially in a heavily ordered F35 environment, is ultimately self-defeating and counterproductive to American desires, and punishes industry more than anything.

Certainly, in my own conversations with Saab, they have heard no objections or seen no reason to be concerned with potential export to Canada. Now, this administration is admittedly unpredictable and a bit self-defeating in some of their actions, but this is one where I don't think, if the stars aligned, we would see American resistance.

On Golden Dome, this is a bit of a tossup. Naturally, there are areas where cooperation is going to likely develop naturally, and those areas (Space, Effectors, C2) already make up a significant portion of the IAMD portfolio. The big thing here is, again, uncertainty.

What does alignment look like to the Americans? What sections of Golden Dome, because remember it's an initiative, do they expect cooperation in? A lot of the GD portfolio is still up in the air, and expectations between parties can easily become a tension point if not clearly defined from the start.

We get moments like this weekend, where different expectations and definitions turn into failure points when those areas are not clearly mapped out. Vague "Buy our shit to align with Golden Dome" doesn't work with a broad portfolio like IAMD, where a whole bunch of different capabilities could hypothetically be included. Does it include stuff like CUAS, for example? Does it include certain infrastructure? Would the Americans expect us to use American suppliers for, say, VLF or HF modernizations?

IAMD was always likely going to be an area where we align fairly well just by letting things naturally take their course. Much of the current environment existing is already looking fairly American in nature, and natural American primes like Lockheed, Raytheon, and the American side of BAE Systems already have a sizable foot in the door and the alignment case to existing products to be highly competitive.

So for Golden Dome, the current knowledge of what was asked is too vague to be of much debate for us. How do we align with something where a hundred or more procurements could exist over its lifetime?

Part of why I didn't want to jump in is all these unknowns. We just don't know the needed details to judge what is being asked and what hardlines may exist. There is too much uncertainty on the American side to really judge vague statements that aren't just rampant speculation on my end.

This latest gaffe, though, does again call into question reliability, and the question of how deep the American relationship goes. How far do we take it before we say enough is enough and this is where cooperation hits its limits? All cooperation, save total integration, ends somewhere along the way. There is zero wrong with that; that's what naturally happens.

There is further debate when we look at areas such as energy and critical minerals, where American industry and investment remain heavy, but which we are also aiming to use as leverage with international allies such as Germany, Japan, and Korea to help diversify our trading relationships.

These, of course, are topics all worth their own posts, but I wanted to just get out my initial thoughts. Obviously, as more comes out, we will dive deeper into this. For now, though? We can sadly only really wait for info before discussing consequences and paths forward. I also think we should see if negotiations stay stalled long term. That, too, is another important factor in all this.

Noah In Sweden: Day 1 and 2

Noah — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 16:33:39 GMT

Hello all.

I hope you're all doing well. I am happy to announce that I have safely made it to Sweden! After a very long stay in Toronto, complete with an expected Air Canada delay, I have managed to get to Stockholm.

I actually got here on Tuesday afternoon; by the time you read this, it will be Thursday morning. The funny thing is I struggled more in Toronto than I have in Sweden, both in getting around and the amount of little annoyances. I don't like Pearson, not at all.

I spent most of Tuesday after arriving getting settled in, getting something to eat, etc. I did manage to get a fair bit of walking around at the least. I was very lucky to be in a central spot of the city to enjoy some of the classical architecture.

I didn't have a real plan, admittedly, but I did get a chance to cross around the zigzag of walkable paths dotted around the place. Stockholm itself is a lovely city. Absolutely one of the most beautiful I have been to. It's a beautiful mix of modern and classical architecture, and so I did take a while to walk the streets.

I love little side streets with shops. I am infatuated with them. It is a bit weird to have mixed people and vehicle traffic. I'm still not used to it myself, and so I kept finding myself getting surprised by vehicles in tight corridors.

One thing I did do on Saturday is find my way to The Royal Palace of Stockholm, completely unintentionally mind you. I didn't intend to go, but I found myself following a crowd through a little park, and somehow ended up popping up there. With nothing better to do, I decided to jump into the tour and buy a ticket.

Such a wonderful experience for under 30 dollars. Beautiful place, wonderful display of collectibles and historical artifacts, and a great history lesson being given in the silver throne room. Well worth the money if you get to it. It takes about an hour or two to go through, depending on how much you stop to see. It feels almost endless how many rooms there are, and each one has vast collections to look over and read about, as well as some of the most beautiful ceiling art I have ever seen.

Sadly, it started raining pretty hard once I left the palace. As such, I returned to my hotel to relax a bit and rest up. My day 2 was mostly travel; I went out for more walks in the morning, got around a few stores (including a cute candy store), and then was on a train to Linköping.

Here, I didn't do much; the train ride was very nice. The ride through the Swedish countryside reminds me a lot of home, lots of trees and lakes. Once I got in, I got to the hotel, had dinner, and then crashed.

So my first two days were fairly quiet, which, considering we are on day 4 and I feel drained, might be a tease for how busy day 3 and 4 were! Thank you to all of you who were curious and messaged about how I was doing. I can confirm I am alive! And doing well, even if tired and a bit sore.

Sweden is a lovely place, and it's been a very different experience being here. Swedes are very nice, very talkative, though they refuse to let me practice my Swedish! Every time I try, they switch to English. Swedes, I know, speak English very well, but sadly they do not want to talk Swedish to me, I find. Except for one very nice lady at the Palace who not only took the time to work me through some phrases, but also gave me some new phrases to use. I appreciate that.

Our day 3 and 4 posts will be far more juicy, but I did want people to have some update to know I'm doing alright. Sadly, it's been so busy I have barely had time to write! As a bit of an apology, here are some teasers for what's to come!

GKN Aerospace unveils UAV demonstrator within first year of the programme

Noah — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 06:41:21 GMT

Less than a year after programme launch, GKN Aerospace unveils its uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) demonstrator for the first time

Demonstrates rapid progress from concept to demonstrator

Brings together propulsion, aerostructures and systems integration expertise from Sweden, the Netherlands, and the UK

Marks the next phase of collaboration with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and the Swedish Armed Forces

Less than a year after launching a collaborative programme with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), GKN Aerospace today unveiled its UAV demonstrator, marking the first public presentation of the platform and a major milestone for the programme.

One year ago, this was an idea and an ambition. Today, we are unveiling the first tangible result of that work. That achievement reflects close collaboration with FMV, the Swedish Armed Forces and the combined expertise of teams across GKN Aerospace.

Joakim Andersson

President Engines, GKN Aerospace

The initiative was announced in November 2025 with the objective of developing a UAV demonstrator and dedicated turbojet engine within 18 months. The effort brings together expertise in propulsion, aerostructures and systems integration from Sweden, the Netherlands, and the UK.

The programme includes the development of a dedicated turbojet engine, airframe and onboard systems. The demonstrator has been developed as a flexible platform for testing and evaluation, supporting the exploration of future uncrewed aviation technologies while providing valuable experience in how complex aerospace systems can be developed, integrated and manufactured on accelerated timelines.

Sara Eklöf, Senior Vice President Government Solutions, GKN Aerospace, said:

"This milestone demonstrates what can be achieved when engineering, manufacturing and customer teams work towards a common goal. The experience gained will be valuable as the programme moves into its next phase."

The initiative builds on the long-standing collaboration between GKN Aerospace, FMV, and the Swedish Armed Forces. Development and testing activities will continue as the programme moves into its next phase, including preparations for future flight-test activities.

The public display at The Armed Forces Air Venture 2026 includes a full-scale UAV mock-up together with the dedicated turbojet engine being developed as part of the programme. The event forms part of the Swedish Air Force's centenary celebrations.

About the programme

The Swedish UAV programme, initiated by an FMV contract in November 2025, involves GKN Aerospace designing a clean-sheet UAV demonstrator and dedicated turbojet engine to accelerate rapid capability development, innovation, and scalable production.

Noah Note: An interesting concept. I had a chance to speak with the GKN team yesterday, and they were quite proud of this one. Not only was it thwir attempt to prove that they could design a common chassis for various applications, but they're also working on developing their own engine for the platform.

It isn't technically Canadian, so a bit out of our scope, but I did wanna show it off since I'm here and was able to spend a little bit of tike with folks. In the current enviornment, there is a timeline where we see something like this in Canadian service. Who knows anymore. Eother way it's a cool thing to highlight sometimes what alloes are working on and trialing.

Come see the first two RCAF CT-157 Siskin II (Pilatus PC-21) at AERO Gatineau-Ottawa

Noah — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 05:44:22 GMT

SkyAlyne is excited to share that the first two Royal Canadian Air Force CT-157 Siskin II aircraft (Pilatus PC-21) will be present at AERO Gatineau-Ottawa 2026 airshow, taking place September 18–20 at the Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport.

Having recently completed production test flights and factory acceptance in Stans, Switzerland, the aircraft will be travelling to Canada for delivery to the RCAF. The planes will serve in the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program for both the Advanced Flying Training – Fixed Wing (AFT-FW) and Advanced Flying Training – Jet (AFT-Jet) courses, helping prepare the next generation of Canadian military pilots for operational service.

“This is an exciting opportunity to give people a first look at the CT-157 Siskin II and the capabilities it will bring to RCAF aircrew training,” said Harrison Ruess, SkyAlyne’s Head of Communications, Collaboration and Stakeholder Relations. “We’re proud to engage communities and help encourage young people to pursue STEM education and careers in aviation, aerospace, and defence.” 

The two-seat CT-157 Siskin II features a 1,600-horsepower Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop engine and can reach speeds of up to 685 km/h. The aircraft can sustain g-forces from positive 8G to negative 4G, providing the performance and capability required for advanced military aviation training. The avionics also include several made-in-Canada components.

SkyAlyne has ordered 19 CT-157 Siskin IIs for the RCAF FAcT program. The fleet will be based at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Upon arrival in Moose Jaw, the aircraft will undergo final delivery to the RCAF, and begin work on developing and testing new elements of the FAcT program, and take on a ‘train the trainer’ role, as the FAcT team stands up an entirely new ab-initio training ecosystem for the RCAF.

Visitors to AERO Gatineau-Ottawa 2026 will have an opportunity to see the CT-157 Siskin II up close and learn more about how FAcT will transform RCAF aircrew training in Canada.

Pacific Partnership 2026: Canadians making a difference across the Indo-Pacific

Noah — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 18:40:26 GMT

Following an initial mission stop in Vietnam, the Pacific Partnership 2026 (PP26) team, has arrived in Indonesia, the second of five mission stops across the Indo-Pacific.

Led by U.S Navy Captain Robert C. Reyes and Commander (Cdr) Genevieve Chatelois, Pacific Partnership falls under Operation HORIZON, the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) contribution to promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The mission helps build humanitarian assistance and disaster response capacity, while deepening ties with Indo-Pacific countries.

Canadian personnel will work alongside participating nations including Australia, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These efforts will bolster host nation capacity to administer critical humanitarian services and support efforts to prepare and respond to potential disaster emergencies in the region.

During the deployment, the Canadian PP26 mission team will work alongside host nation and mission partners to conduct medical exchanges, community outreach, and disaster preparedness engagements. The first stop took place in Vietnam in mid-June.

Building connections in Vietnam

On June 24 during the initial stop in Quang Tri, Vietnam, mission staff visited the Gio Linh Center for Rehabilitation of Children with Disabilities for a community outreach and engagement event. The Gio Linh Center for Rehabilitation of Children with Disabilities provides daily care, physical therapy, and support for disabled children and Agent Orange victims. Supported by the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange and Dioxin, the center serves as a critical lifeline for vulnerable youth in the region.

The contingent spent time interacted with 47 children doing arts and crafts, playing games, and participating in other recreational activities. Cdr Geneviève Chatelois stated, “It was nice to play tic-tac-toe, hand games and draw with kids. It is impressive to see that we can connect with the community through games and arts without needing to speak the same language. As a Canadian, it was truly moving to share this moment with the Vietnamese community.”

The sentiment was shared by the Canadian Task Force Padre, Maj Innocent Inienwe, who added that, "Drawing with the children was a powerful reminder that kindness and joy transcend language and culture. It was a privilege to share this moment with them and witness the hope, creativity, and resilience they expressed through art."

As Pacific Partnership 2026 continues through the Indo-Pacific, Canadian Armed Forces members will continue working alongside host nations and international partners to strengthen disaster response capabilities, share expertise and build lasting relationships with communities across the region

KONGSBERG to deliver Remote Weapon Systems to Canada

Noah — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 14:10:26 GMT

KONGSBERG has signed a contract with General Dynamics Land Systems–Canada (‘GDLS-Canada’) valued at NOK 1.1 billion for the delivery of PROTECTOR RS4 Remote Weapon Systems.

20 Aug 2026

These systems will be integrated onto the Canadian Army’s Armoured Combat Support Vehicle (ACSV). The contract represents a continuation of the established partnership between KONGSBERG and GDLS-Canada. This order is a follow-on procurement of RS4 systems for the ACSV program, building on previous deliveries to the same platform.

“This contract confirms our customer’s confidence in the PROTECTOR systems and further strengthens our long-term partnership with GDLS-Canada. We are proud that the RS4 continues to be selected as a key capability for the Canadian Armed Forces’ modern vehicle fleet,” said Kjetil Reiten Myhra, Executive Vice President, KONGSBERG and President of the Defence Systems division.

KONGSBERG has previously delivered RS4 systems to GDLS-Canada for integration on ACSV vehicles. The new deliveries will further enhance and expand the operational capabilities of the Canadian Army.

The RS4 is part of KONGSBERG’s PROTECTOR family of Remote Weapon Systems, providing high levels of protection, flexibility, and situational awareness for vehicle crews.

The PROTECTOR RS4 is an advanced Remote Weapon System designed to enhance survivability, precision, and operational flexibility for modern military vehicles. The system is in service with defence customers worldwide and can be integrated onto a wide range of vehicle platforms.

Canadian Coast Guard officially welcomes CCGS Cascumpec Bay into service in Shippagan

Noah — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 14:06:02 GMT

August 19, 2026 – Shippagan, New Brunswick – National Defence / Canadian Coast Guard

The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) has officially welcomed the Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Cascumpec Bay into service, strengthening search and rescue capacity in northern New Brunswick and helping crews respond quickly to mariners in distress.

Today, Serge Cormier, Member of Parliament for Acadie-Bathurst, joined Canadian Coast Guard personnel and community members in Shippagan, New Brunswick, to dedicate the CCGS Cascumpec Bay into service. The dedication marks an important milestone for the vessel and the National Shipbuilding Strategy, which has delivered 20 new high endurance search and rescue lifeboats to the CCG.

The CCGS Cascumpec Bay was built by Chantier Naval Forillon in Gaspé, Quebec, and delivered to the CCG in December 2024. Since then, it has been operating out of Shippagan, New Brunswick, supporting search and rescue operations in the region.

With all 20 Bay Class Search and Rescue Lifeboats now delivered through the National Shipbuilding Strategy, CCG crews across the country are equipped with modern, Canadian-built vessels to carry out critical search and rescue operations. Their construction has also supported skilled Canadian jobs and strengthened Canada’s shipbuilding and marine industries.

Quotes

"The CCGS Cascumpec Bay gives Canadian Coast Guard crews another modern, Canadian-built vessel to carry out their lifesaving work. From Shippagan to communities across the country, these crews are there when mariners need them most. Investing in the vessels they rely on strengthens our search and rescue capabilities while supporting Canadian workers and our shipbuilding industry."

The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence

“As we welcome the CCGS Cascumpec Bay into service, we are demonstrating what it means to build a stronger and more sovereign Canada. Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy, we are strengthening the Canadian Coast Guard’s ability to protect our waters and communities while investing in Canadian workers, shipyards and industrial expertise. By building these vessels here in Canada, we are creating good jobs, strengthening our supply chains and developing the expertise our country will rely on for generations to come. This is how we protect our maritime sovereignty while building a stronger and more resilient Canadian economy.”

The Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Services and Procurement

“Here in Shippagan and throughout Acadie–Bathurst, the water is at the heart of our communities, our economy and our way of life. The CCGS Cascumpec Bay will strengthen our search and rescue capacity and, most importantly, help keep our fishers and mariners safe. Proudly built in Canada, this new vessel represents an important investment in the safety and future of our coastal communities.”

Serge Cormier, Member of Parliament for Acadie-Bathurst

“Today, we celebrate the traditional milestone of dedicating the CCGS Cascumpec Bay into service. Since it became operational, the vessel has meant safer waters for everyone who earns a living or travels along our coasts, backed by the incredible men and women of the Canadian Coast Guard who are equipped with the modern vessels and tools they need to bring mariners home safely.”

Kevin Brosseau, Commissioner, Canadian Coast Guard

Quick facts

Clarence Savoie, the vessel’s sponsor, had the honour of officially bestowing the CCGS Cascumpec Bay with its name and wishing “fair winds and good fortune” to all who will sail on the vessel, marking the beginning of its service and enduring legacy. Clarence Savoie is a highly respected member of the Acadian communities in northern New Brunswick, known for his extensive marine knowledge and strong connections to the marine environment.
In 2018, Chantier Naval Forillon Inc of Gaspé, Quebec, and Hike Metal Products Ltd of Wheatley, Ontario, were awarded the construction of four new Bay Class Search and Rescue Lifeboats each, in addition to the existing contract awarded in 2015 to build six Bay Class Search and Rescue Lifeboats each. The total value of the contracts for these lifeboats was $180 million.
The CCG’s new Search and Rescue Lifeboats are specifically designed, equipped, and crewed to respond to incidents at sea. These vessels are self-righting and can operate up to 120 nautical miles from shore, always maintaining a maximum 30-minute state-of-readiness with a typical ability to respond the moment an alert is received.
The CCG’s high-endurance Search and Rescue Lifeboats are referred to as “Bay Class” vessels, as each one is named after a Canadian bay under the Vessel Naming Policy.
The CCG keeps waterways safe for mariners, protects the marine environment, and responds to approximately 6,000 calls for marine assistance each year.
To date, 30 small vessels have been delivered to the CCG under the National Shipbuilding Strategy. This includes 20 Search and Rescue Lifeboats, two Channel Survey and Sounding Vessels, seven Hydrographic Survey Vessels and one Coastal Research Vessel.
The Government of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy is a long-term, multi-billion-dollar program focused on renewing the CCG and Royal Canadian Navy fleets. The Strategy enables Canada’s marine agencies to have the modern ships they need to fulfill their missions while revitalizing Canada’s marine industry, creating good middle-class jobs, and maximizing economic benefits across the country.

This Week in Defence (08/17/26): The Canadian Signal Network, Updated Scheduling For The Next Two Weeks, Exercises Everywhere, Lots of Meetings, When Could The New Defence Policy Be Announced?

Noah — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 01:26:34 GMT

Wanna Sponsor us? Limited slots are coming up next month! Contact us at info@truenorthstrategicreview.ca for our advertising package!

Subscribe now

Special Bulletin

Hey Gang.

I hope you all had a great weekend. Usually, I would do something like this in a separate post, I partially did on Saturday but wanted it to be out here in our main weekly piece. There are a few things I wanna get out there and remind upon.

First off, I want to remind everyone that I will be in Sweden this week. As such, I will be difficult to reach. There will be no Q&A because I expect to be running around this whole week pretty heavily, amd likely won't have the time. News continues as normal.

Second, and I will be blunt. We will be operating under a reduced schedule the first two weeks of September. Not only is it back-to-school season, but unfortunately, since my recent illness my health has continued to decline fairly noticably.

I have tried to push off anything, and have worked hard to keep myself in the game, but unfortunately I am struggling, a lot. Call it arrogance but I have long thought I didnt have to give much thought to these things, that they would clear up. Unfortunately tis not the case. I have several chronic issues that have been notably more dehabilitating, and a few new issues that have hit me fairly hard.

I have always strived to be honest with all you, because many of you are my friends and I believe as a creator, I need to be ipen and honest with all you. I feel trust is important, very important and part of that comes from being open about difficulties in work.

Truthfully, and some of you have asked me about it, I have not been in it the last two weeks. I have been admitedly checked out. Notes feel hard, posting feels hard at days. Concentration is a chore. I despise it all.

I am lucky, and blessed to have my wife. Not only has she been comforting me, acting as my support, and keeping the house down the last three weeks to allow me space and time to rest, but she has also now taken to supporting TNSR content wise.

I did about three, maybe four posts last week myself, the Newsletter, Sweden announcement, and Signal complex. I wrote out some small notes on a few posts and that was about it for me. The rest of the pressers, admittedly, I am very fortunate my wife has been willing, demanding to learn how to format and do them for me so I didn't have to. Honestly, I couldn't ever remember a lot of the news from last week because I was basically just giving her links and not reading.

I wanted to highlight that because I wanna give her some recognition. If not for her, we wouldn't have done much last week. I feel better now, a lot better since sunday, but up until yesterday afternoon? I was just out of it, no mentality, no feeling. I couldn't be bothered. She also helped for the first time on the newsletter today!

I am lucky to have her. She has always supported me in this, and she didn't have to step up and help me but she did. She took that upon herself and I am so proud and grateful for her for it.

Anyways, we will still keep to the usual, Newsletter, pressers, and Q&A but for those two weeks we will be taking a reduced schedule as I have tried to book in as much appointments and tests as possible into that timeframe.

I deeply apologize to everyone for these hiccups amd faultering in our reporting. Luckily she is willing for a few weeks to help with pressers, which is a big chunk of work off my shoulders. It might mean Noah Notes are temporarily reduced, but we will return them to their normal format.

I thank all of you for your kindness and understanding, and ask for forgiveness in the dip in quality of our reporting the last few weeks. I promise I will come back better and stringer when all is done, and in a few more weeks we will be back to our normal as God and Our Lord Tzeentch intended.

Remember that you can always submit your media and press releases to us at media@truenorthstrategicreview.ca!

This Week in Defences Project and Lobbying Updates are supported by Dominion Dynamics Aurion platform. Aurion is an open data platform designed to increase transparency across Canada's defence procurement ecosystem.

L3Harris Technologies Canada has filed a new record with Sandstone Group looking to engage the Federal Government on contract opportunities
Canada Rocket Company has filed a new record with Sandstone Group looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including the companies capabilities and offerings, launch licences and export controls, and the development of dual-use technology in Canada
Leonardo Canada has filed a new record with Sandstone Group looking to engage the Federal Government on procurement opportunities
Railo Technology Canada has filed a new record with Sandstone Group looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including contract opportunities for technical services related to vessel capability and design, port infrastructure and terminal ice management, and Arctic port development and shipbuilding policy
Marconi Technologies has filed a new record with The Fortin Consulting Group looking to engage the Federal Government on the companies capabilities and offerings as a sovereign manufacturer of voice, data, and radio communication systems
49North has filed a new record with Prospectus Associates looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including funding opportunities, defence procurement policy, and discussions on C4ISR integration, advanced sensing and radar technologies, autonomous systems, and in-service support
CAE has filed a new record with Prospectus Associates looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including Canada’s potential contributions to global security, Defence Procurement Policy, defence training contracts, the NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) program, and the Operational Training System Program (OTSP)
Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems has filed a new record with PAA Advisory looking to engage the Federal Government in support of the companies participation in the Canadian Patrol Submarine Program
GSCI Advanced Photonics has filed a new record with David Pratt & Associates looking to engage the Federal Government on contract opportunities related to electro-optical sights
Arctic Gateway Group has filed a new record with Wellington Dupont looking to engage the Federal Government on funding opportunities to rebuild the Port of Churchill and Hudson Bay Railway
Bombardier has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including aerospace trade agreements, aircraft certification, export permits and controlled goods, research and development tax incentives, and aircraft financing support
Aecon Group has filed a new record with Vantage Canada looking to engage the Federal Government on public infrastructure initiatives
ATCO has filed a new record looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including energy transition legislation, environmental regulation, buildings, camps, and logistical services for defence, critical infrastructure resilience and cybersecurity, and modular housing
Port Saint John has filed a new record with The Porter O’Brien Agency looking to engage the Federal Government on multiple topics including the Port’s authorized borrowing limit and funding opportunities for port modernization
Fleet Zero has filed a new record with WinStrategies looking to engage the Federal Government on contract opportunities supporting low and zero emissions fleet vehicle adoption
Roshel has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Eric Sheikh, Director Support Vehicle Program Management at National Defence, Tu-Quynh Nguyen, Senior Director at Public Services and Procurement Canada, Mohan Denetto, Director General at Public Services and Procurement Canada, Lindsay Dencsak, Director Combat Support Equipment Management at National Defence, Demetrios Xenos, Director General at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, and John MacInnis, General Director at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
General Motors of Canada has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Renee Filiatrault, Senior Advisor at National Defence, David McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, Judith Bennett, Assistant Deputy Minister at National Defence, and Kevin Brosseau, Assistant Deputy Minister at National Defence
Bell Helicopter Textron Canada has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Judith Bennett, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel) at National Defence, James Cudmore, Chief of Staff at Public Services and Procurement Canada, and Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State for Defence Procurement
Irving Shipbuilding has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Andrew Green, Director of Operations at National Defence
Dominion Dynamics has filed new communications detailing meetings with Jeffery Smyth, Major-General and Chief Air and Space Force Development of the RCAF, with Denis O’Reily, Major-General and Deputy Commander of the RCAF, and with Riley Hennessey, Chief of Staff of Defence Research and Development Canada at National Defence
Clairvest has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Renée Filiatrault, Senior Advisor in the Minister’s Office, Hilary Hendriks, Senior Policy Advisor in the Minister’s Office, Kevin Brosseau, Senior Associate Deputy Minister at National Defence, Jean-François Juneau, Acting Senior Director at National Defence, David McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, and Radey Barrack, Director of Policy in the Minister’s Office
Top Aces has filed new communications detailing meetings with Judith Bennett, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister at National Defence, and with Natasha Kim, Associate Deputy Minister at National Defence
Lockheed Martin has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Heather Sheehy, Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel) at National Defence, and Christiane Fox, Deputy Minister of National Defence
Boeing Canada Operations has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, Lieutenant-General and Commander of the RCAF, and Stephan Van der Mele, Policy Advisor at National Defence
Airbus Defence and Space Canada has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Jeff Smyth, Major-General at National Defence, Judith Bennett, Assistant Deputy Minister at National Defence, and Kevin Fizpatrick, Director General at National Defence
Magellan Aerospace has filed new communications detailing meetings with Renee Filiatrault, Policy Advisor at National Defence, and with David McGuinty, Minister of National Defence
Draganfly has filed new communications detailing meetings with Christiane Fox, Deputy Minister of National Defence, and Robert Gray, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel) at National Defence, and with Michael Wright, Lieutenant-General and Commander of the Canadian Army
SkyCan Systems has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Ty Curran, Deputy Director General at National Defence
Theon Sensors has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Alexa Kalsatos, Senior Operations and Regional Advisor (Ontario) to the Minister of National Defence, Conor Lewis, Policy Advisor in the Minister’s Office, Samuel Serviss, Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff at National Defence, and Judith Bennett, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel) at National Defence
Canada Rocket Company has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Alexa Kalsatos, Senior Operations and Regional Advisor (Ontario) to the Minister of National Defence, and Conor Lewis, Policy Advisor in the Minister’s Office
CADEX Defence has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Renee Filiatrault, Senior Advisor at National Defence
Maerospace has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Marc Mes, Assistant Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard
Calian Group has filed new communications detailing meetings with Heather Sheehy, Associate Deputy Minister, Materiel Group at National Defence, and with Christiane Fox, Deputy Minister of National Defence
Telesat has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Christiane Fox, Deputy Minister of National Defence, and David McGuinty, Minister of National Defence
Kepler Communications has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Wendy Hadwen, Assistant Deputy Minister at National Defence
Cohere has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Christiane Fox, Deputy Minister of National Defence, and Natasha Kim, Associate Deputy Minister at National Defence
Conair Group has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Conor Lewis, Senior Policy Advisor in the Minister’s Office, and Quinn Rinke, Special Assistant, West and North Regional Advisor at National Defence
Ocean Group has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Tyler Andrew, Manager at National Defence
ITPS Canada has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Alexa Kalsatos, Senior Operations and Regional Advisor (Ontario) to the Minister of National Defence
IMT Group has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Mark McKiel, Director General Joint Equipment Program Management at National Defence
Stelumar Advanced Manufacturing has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Hilary Hendriks, Senior Policy Advisor in the Minister’s Office, David McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, Kevin Brosseau, Senior Associate Deputy Minister at National Defence, and Paola Zurro, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Forces Housing Agency
Modular Building Institute has filed a new communication detailing a meeting with Paola Zurro, Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Forces Housing Agency
Nunavut Tunngavik has filed new communications detailing meetings with Gwendolyn Culver, Director of Parliamentary Affairs and Issues Management in the Minister’s Office, and with Peter Hammerschmidt, Assistant Deputy Minister at National Defence

• There are shockingly no real rumors for this week. I had two, but went back to verification after somw doubts. Rare we have no rumors, but it does happen from time to time, esepcially the summer slowdown.

• If you want something? There is some expectation the new defence policy will be announced around budget. It is said to at least be SSE-sized, if not larger. Key items to watch are CDC, MCAV, HDFM, and Airlift apparently. Also expect some teasers of it from a few upcoming documents.

Thanks for reading True North Strategic Review! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Canadian Armed Forces announces new Occupational Health and Public Health occupations

Noah — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:10:54 GMT

Preventive Medicine Technicians (PMed Techs) have long played a critical role in protecting the health of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel. Through public and occupational health programs, they support disease prevention and surveillance, infection prevention and control, and workplace hazard identification and exposure monitoring, across the full spectrum of CAF operations.

A need for change

The PMed Tech occupation recently underwent a comprehensive occupational analysis that identified challenges with its structure, including an exceptionally broad scope of responsibilities spanning two different fields and a need for up-to-date regulatory and professional standards. These challenges made it difficult for members to maintain their full professional scope, reduced job satisfaction, and contributed to personnel turnover, creating staffing pressures and challenges in meeting CAF operational requirements.

A way forward: Introducing two new health protection occupations

As a result, the PMed Tech occupation will be retired and replaced by two new occupations: Occupational Health Technologist (OHT) and Public Health Officer (PHO). Preserving and modernizing PMed Tech expertise, these new occupations will provide distinct specialties in Force Health Protection, enabling more focused training, greater depth of expertise, and enhanced operational effectiveness.

The OHT occupation will focus on managing occupational health hazards in Defence Team workplaces through prevention and surveillance. This includes identifying, inspecting, and responding to occupational exposures and environmental conditions that may pose health risks, such as mould, lighting, thermal stress, vibration, radiation, laser exposure, noise, indoor air, and ventilation issues. OHTs will also support occupational health programs and workplace health protection initiatives, contributing to CAF personnel readiness.

The PHO occupation will focus on managing communicable diseases and public health hazards across the Department of National Defence. This includes identifying, inspecting, and responding to public health risks related to food, water, waste, insects or other pests that can spread disease, and infectious disease threats. PHOs will also support commanders in identifying and reducing health threats to personnel at home and abroad.

Benefits and next steps

These new occupations will reflect similar professions in the civilian workforce, improving alignment with recognized professional standards and practices. This is expected to increase attraction and retention of CAF personnel by offering clear career pathways and increased professional recognition both within and outside the military.

To begin this transition, current PMed Techs will undergo a Compulsory Occupational Transfer into either OHT or PHO based on personal preferences, qualifications, and service requirements. Career management support and training pathways have been developed to ensure continuity in the delivery of force health protection services, minimize disruptions to operational capabilities, and to support members’ continued service within the CAF.

For more information on these occupation changes, please contact the implementation team at OHTPHOimpl-ImplTHTOSP@forces.gc.ca.

Canada’s largest icebreaker reaches the North Pole

Noah — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:07:50 GMT

August 17, 2026 – Ottawa, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Coast Guard

Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Louis S. St-Laurent, Canada’s largest, most powerful icebreaker, reached the North Pole on August 16 as part of its 2026 Arctic deployment.

The transit supports Canada’s work to define the country’s continental shelf and map its outer limits under the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea. As part of the ongoing 2024-2027 missions in support of Natural Resources Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent is collecting high-resolution geoscience and hydrographic data in the Arctic. The mission demonstrates Canada's ability to operate safely and effectively in one of the world's most challenging environments while advancing important national interests in the Arctic.

Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers are among the most capable and powerful in the world, operated by some of the most experienced crews, and able to reach remote and hard-to-access areas across Canada’s Arctic. Through its enduring presence and operations in Canada’s Arctic waters, the Canadian Coast Guard reinforces Canada’s sovereignty and security in the North.

The Canadian Coast Guard’s summer operational season runs annually from June to November to support Northern communities, carry out services, and support Government of Canada Arctic missions.

Quotes

“The arrival of CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent at the North Pole is an important milestone that reflects Canada’s enduring commitment to the Arctic. Supported by the expertise of Canadian Coast Guard personnel, this mission advances scientific knowledge, strengthens our presence in the North, and reinforces Canada’s sovereignty and security.”

The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence

“Reaching the North Pole reflects the professionalism and dedication of the crew of CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent and everyone who supports our Arctic operations. Our icebreakers enable the Canadian Coast Guard to operate safely and effectively in Canada’s Arctic, supporting northern communities, scientific research, and Government of Canada priorities across the North.”

Kevin Brosseau, Senior Associate Deputy Minister of National Defence, Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard, and Canada’s Fentanyl Czar

Noah Note: Not mentioned here, or really much anywhere, but this is part of the Canada-Sweden Arctic Ocean Expedition. CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent was joined this year, as last by the Swedish Icebreaker Oden. Oden has actually been a featured friend for several years in the Canadian Arctic, and this is the second consecutive year she joined Louis to the North Pole.

Here are some of the photos from the Swedish side of the expedition from this year and last:

Ocean Software to Support SkyAlyne for Royal Canadian Air Force Future Aircrew Training Program

Noah — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 23:55:38 GMT

August 19, 2026 // Melbourne, Australia and Ottawa, Canada — Ocean Software has been selected by SkyAlyne to provide the Resource Management and Scheduling (RM&S) capability as part of the training system supporting Canada’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

Under the agreement, Ocean will deliver its FlightPRO and TAMS solutions to support the planning, scheduling and management of training operations across the FAcT program, with implementation activities expected to commence in the coming months.

SkyAlyne, a joint venture between CAE and KF Aerospace, is the Prime Contractor for the FAcT program, which will modernize pilot and aircrew training for the RCAF. The program will operate from 15 Wing Moose Jaw (Saskatchewan), 15 Wing Southport (Manitoba), and 17 Wing Winnipeg (Manitoba), and includes introducing five new training aircraft fleets – with 71 total new aircraft. The program is managed jointly by industry, RCAF, and government from a Joint Management Office in Ottawa (Ontario).

Today’s announcement builds on more than 20 years of partnership between Ocean and the RCAF, with FlightPRO supporting training management, personnel readiness, scheduling and operational coordination across the NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) and Contracted Flying Training and Support (CFTS) programs, the predecessors to FAcT.

“Canada has been one of Ocean’s most important defence partnerships for more than 20 years,” said Pete Smith, CEO of Ocean Software. “We are proud to be working with SkyAlyne in support of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s transition to the Future Aircrew Training program. FAcT represents a significant investment in the future of Canadian military aviation, and we are pleased to contribute proven capability already trusted across the RCAF enterprise.”

“FAcT represents a significant step forward in how Canada trains its future pilots and aircrew,” said Kevin Lemke, General Manager of SkyAlyne. “Ocean Software’s long-standing experience across existing RCAF training programs provides a strong foundation as we modernise training and deliver a world-class capability for the Royal Canadian Air Force.”

ABOUT

Ocean Software

With more than 30 years of defence experience, Ocean Software delivers mission-critical operational readiness solutions supporting air, land, maritime and joint domains. Ocean’s proven expertise and dependable delivery underpin use in 17 nations across the globe.

Learn more: ocean.software

SkyAlyne: The Future of Aircrew Training

SkyAlyne is the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program provider for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). SkyAlyne is a team of defence, training, simulation, and aviation industry experts assembled from across Canada, working to prepare the next generation of RCAF Pilots and Aircrew. SkyAlyne was formed in 2018 as a partnership between CAE and KF Aerospace, two Canadian aviation, training, and defence leaders.

Learn more: SkyAlyne.ca

Canada to co-host 28th Annual Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defense Conference: Strengthening Collective Security: Navigating Challenges in a Dynamic Indo-Pacific Landscape

Noah — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 15:43:52 GMT

August 17, 2026 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

The 28th annual Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defense (CHODs) conference will be held in Victoria, Canada from August 31 to September 2, 2026. The conference will be co-hosted by Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff, General Jennie Carignan, and the Commander of United States (U.S.) Pacific Command, Admiral Samuel J. Paparo.

This year’s theme, “Strengthening Collective Security: Navigating Challenges in a Dynamic Indo-Pacific Landscape” will bring together senior miliary leaders, practitioners and regional experts to discuss regional security issues, including non-defence and non-military perspectives.

A total of 32 countries have been invited to participate this year. Held annually since 1998, the conference brings together senior military leaders from across the Indo-Pacific to strengthen mutual understanding, cooperation and interoperability among allies and partners.

When: Monday, August 31 to Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Where: Victoria Conference Centre, 20 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC V8W 3M7