Ministers MacKay and Paradis Announce Equipment for Canadian Forces that Will Strengthen National Sovereignty

Market Wire, August, 2008

These capabilities will ensure that Canada is able to play a leadership role abroad and make a meaningful contribution to international security while also protecting Canada's national sovereignty.

On August 7, 2008, the Government of Canada announced that it had put in place contracts to acquire this additional air capacity, thereby addressing the conditions in the March 13, 2008 parliamentary motion and the recommendation made by the Independent Panel on Canada's Future Role in Afghanistan led by the Honourable John Manley. Due diligence was exercised throughout the procurement process to ensure that the right equipment for the CF was secured at the right price for Canadians in a fair and transparent manner.

The Government has also begun a process to provide the CF with its own medium-to heavy-lift helicopters. The delivery of the Canadian Chinook F-models is expected in 2012 with initial operations commencing in 2013.

I. Securing Medium Helicopter Lift Capacity:

Additional medium lift helicopters are required to meet a number of Canada's operational requirements, including conducting independent operations and providing airlift for troops. When this capacity is unavailable, troops are at greater risk of ambushes, land mines and improvised explosive devices. The existing NATO pool of resources has a shortfall in available airlift requirements and is unable to consistently meet Canadian needs.

Immediate Needs:

To address immediate needs, the Government is securing chartered commercial helicopters which will be available for use in theatre later this summer. These helicopters will be used for resupply missions and potentially for specific troop transport.

The one-year contract for the chartered helicopters is valued at up to $36 million, depending on flight hours logged. Renewable one year options are available.

By February 2009:

Canada has signed an agreement with the US Government to acquire six used Chinook D-model helicopters through a Foreign Military Sales Agreement. These military helicopters will be used to fly missions to higher threat environments where the chartered aircraft cannot. They will be available for operations by February 2009.

The cost for the equipment acquisition, plus initial logistics support, training and project management costs will not exceed $292 million. These figures are currently being finalized by the two governments.

Beyond Afghanistan:

In March 2008, the Government announced that a Request for Proposal had been issued to Boeing Co. to acquire 16 medium-to-heavy lift Chinook F model helicopters. These will be used to meet the Canadian Forces' longstanding medium-to-heavy lift requirements for the next twenty years. Delivery is expected in 2012. It is anticipated that the F-models will be operational in 2013.

II. Securing high performance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance

High performance UAVs provide an indispensable surveillance and intelligence gathering capability that can be used in a variety of operations. Since 2003, the CF have been using the Sperwer tactical UAV in Afghanistan. While this vehicle has served its purpose, the Forces will greatly benefit from new and more advanced UAVs with a greater range and more sophisticated functions.