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

The Government has leased Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles - the Scan Eagle - from Boeing Co. to address immediate needs in Kandahar over the next nine months. The contract, which is valued at up to $14 million, is for the provision of turnkey service and training. This equipment has been in the field since June 2008. The contract was awarded to Boeing Co. on May 16, 2008. The company was the only supplier that could successfully meet DND's aggressive timetable.

By February 2009:

The Government has secured the two year lease of a Heron UAV tactical system to be delivered in Afghanistan by early 2009. Under Project NOCTUA, the two-year $95 million contract was awarded to MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) of Vancouver, BC on August 1, 2008.

Beyond Afghanistan:

A long term UAV solution, in the form of the Joint UAV Surveillance Target Acquisition System (JUSTAS) Program, is currently being developed that will include domestic and deployed operational UAV capabilities.

Support Personnel:

The additional helicopters and UAVs for Afghanistan will require up to 250 personnel to support and operate the equipment.

Contacts: Information: 613-996-2353/1-866-377-0811 After hours: 613-792-2973 www.forces.gc.ca