Latest news with #DepartmentOfNationalDefence
CBC
13-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Rifles issued to Canadian Rangers in the Arctic need replacements, don't work in the cold
Rifles issued to the Canadian Rangers in Canada's Arctic don't work properly in the cold — and it's going to cost millions to fix. C-19 rifles were distributed to the Rangers, who serve the Canadian Armed Forces in the North, in 2017. Canada's Department of National Defence (DND) told CBC News in an email that extreme cold led to the stocks — a part of a gun attached to the barrel and firing mechanism that provides structural support — expanding and contracting. Something the department said Rangers noticed during testing in 2019. "Following reports from Canadian Rangers after extended field usage in extreme climatic conditions leading to cycles of expansion and contraction in the stock," Alex Tétreault, a senior communications adviser with DND, wrote. "This was not observed during initial operational capability training; it only became apparent in the last two months before the end of deliveries." Those stocks now need to be replaced and the department estimates that will cost between eight to $10 million. The department said the C-19 rifle "remains an effective and accurate weapon" and that some of the rifles are still working properly and don't need replacements. The procurement process for the new stocks is underway and the delivery of the new stocks will be phased over three years.
National Post
10-06-2025
- Business
- National Post
John Ivison: Carney now has billions of reasons to buy fighter planes other than F-35s
In his speech pledging to meet NATO's two per cent spending target, Mark Carney expanded on his plan to rearm the Canadian military. Article content Key to this transformation are moves to strengthen the Canadian defence industry and to diversify defence partnerships away from the United States, where Canada spends 75 per cent of its capital budget. Article content Carney didn't mention the F-35 fighter jet contract but in March he ordered a review to look at whether the order to buy 88 fifth-generation planes is the best investment for Canada. Article content Article content The results of that review are expected this summer, and if the government is minded to cancel the remainder of the contract (it is legally obliged to take the first 16 jets), the auditor general's office has just given it a good excuse. Article content Article content The AG's latest report suggests that the F-35s will not be delivered on time or on budget — which is, perhaps, as predictable as death, or Donald Trump turning on his closest confidants. Article content But the findings will prove maddening to a prime minister who has promised to build big things, from concept to completion, in short order. Article content The AG's report suggests that the Department of National Defence should have known sooner that costs were considerably higher than had been made public. It probably did, but it has wanted to buy this aircraft for two decades and didn't want nosy busybodies like the taxpayer intruding in the process. Article content The Trudeau government finalized arrangements to buy 88 F-35s in December 2022 (having initially cancelled the project in 2015). Article content Article content Projected purchase costs at the time were $19 billion. Article content Article content But the Department of National Defence's own numbers suggest that, by 2024, inflation, fluctuating exchange rates and rising facilities costs had increased the cost to $27.7 billion. Article content The AG's team calculated that another $5.5 billion can be added to that number to cover infrastructure upgrades and advanced weapons, taking the new bill to over $33 billion. Article content Delivery will start next year, with the first eight being sent to Luke Air Force base in Arizona for pilot training. The rest will be sent to Canada to form fighter squadrons at Cold Lake, Alta., and Bagotville, Que.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Raises, retention bonuses promised for Canadian Forces personnel
Pay increases for military personnel as well as retention bonuses and increased training allowances for particular Canadian Forces members are to be part of the government's spending boost for defence. In addition, it is expected that around 1,400 new staff will be hired at the Department of National Defence. The initiatives were outlined Monday during a technical briefing that followed Prime Minister Mark Carney's announcement that defence spending was being significantly increased. The Liberal government noted that it was pumping in more funding so Canada will meet the NATO spending target of two per cent of GDP by the end of this fiscal year. Carney repeated his election promises to purchase new submarines and other equipment as well as improve military housing and benefits. 'Members of our armed forces will get a well deserved salary increase, which will contribute to better recruitment and retention of personnel,' said Carney. But defence officials at the technical briefing had few answers. They did point out that not only will there be pay increases but in some cases boosts in training allowances and retention bonuses for key military personnel. They did not have information on what specific Canadian Forces jobs or trades would be eligible for bonuses. More health-care workers will be hired for the Canadian Forces and the civilian workforce will be expanded so military personnel can focus on operations, government officials said at the technical briefing. Under government-imposed rules, the officials who provided the briefing cannot be identified. In January, the Ottawa Citizen reported that military staff were recommending retention bonuses to keep key personnel from leaving the ranks. But there were questions at the time about whether the government would fund such a plan. Although the Canadian Forces doesn't currently have retention bonuses, the military does offer various extra pay or allowances for those in particular jobs or handling specific duties, the Department of National Defence has noted. In addition, the military does provide extra payment to recruit individuals with particular skills. Various western militaries, facing personnel shortages, have been using retention bonuses to entice individuals to continue to stay in the ranks. On Nov. 22, 2024, the British government announced bonuses equivalent to $54,000 for aircraft engineers who sign up for an additional three years of military service. Privates and lance corporals who have already served four years would be eligible for a new retention bonus, which is the equivalent of $14,000. An internal U.S. Air Force memo, recently leaked online, noted that 89 key occupations would be eligible for retention bonuses in 2025. Those bonuses range from the equivalent of $260,000 to $520,000. The retention money is aimed at a variety of jobs, including specialized maintenance crews to Chinese language analysts. In addition, the officials at the technical briefing noted that more money will be spent on ammunition production and helping Canadian defence firms sell their products overseas. The focus moving forward on defence procurement will be on using Canadian suppliers, they added. During his Monday speech, Carney repeated his promise that Canada will cut back on using its defence dollars to purchase U.S. military equipment. The U.S. has become increasingly hostile to Canada, with President Donald Trump continuing with his economic efforts to punish Canada and push for this country to become the 51st state. 'We should no longer send three-quarters of our defence capital spending to America,' Carney said. 'The transformation of our military capabilities can help with the transformation of our economy.' Despite Carney's statement, a military official confirmed during the Monday technical briefing that the Canadian Forces has an interest in the U.S.-built High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS. The Ottawa Citizen reported in March that the Canadian military leadership was pushing the federal government to purchase the system in a sole-source deal. David Pugliese is an award-winning journalist covering Canadian Forces and military issues in Canada. To support his work, including exclusive content for subscribers only, sign up here: DND says F-35 review will be completed in the summer Canadian Army looks to spend more than $6 billion on new howitzers and rockets
CTV News
02-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Canada identifies previously unknown WWI grave in France
A person places a poppy on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier following a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the entombment at the National War Memorial, Wednesday, May 28, 2025 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld An investigation into a previously unidentified First World War grave in France has revealed it belongs to Canadian Capt. William Webster Wilson. Historical and archival research confirmed the identification, according to a news release from the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces. More details to come.
National Post
30-05-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Why Canadian military's Cyclone helicopters were grounded for 27 days in May
The Canadian military's Cyclone helicopters weren't flying for 27 days in May due to a lack of spare parts, and only one of them is now able to take to the skies. Article content Article content Canada has 26 of the ship-borne maritime helicopters, with a final one slated for delivery this year. The $5.8-billion fleet is normally used to provide air support for the Royal Canadian Navy. Their missions include surface and subsurface surveillance, search and rescue, and anti-submarine warfare. Article content 'On May 1, the Commander of 1 Canadian Air Division ordered a temporary pause to flying operations for the CH-148 Cyclone fleet, after questions emerged in late April about whether various spare parts for the aircraft were potentially in use beyond their service life. The temporary pause to flying operations was lifted as of May 27,' Kened Sadiku, who speaks for the Department of National Defence (DND), said in an email. Article content Article content 'Certain aircraft components have a defined service life to ensure continued safety and airworthiness. Because using parts beyond their defined service life would pose risks to the safety of personnel and equipment, the decision was made to temporarily pause flight operations until certainty is regained.' Article content DND, the military and Sikorsky, which manufactured the helicopters, 'have been working together to identify potential parts of concern. This includes components of the Cyclone's landing gear, tail rotor driveshaft flange and auxiliary power unit, as well as engine parts,' Sadiku said. Article content Article content As of this past Wednesday, one Cyclone, now on deployment, returned to flying operations, he said. 'The team works to do the same for the rest of the fleet.' Article content Article content The Cyclone 'fleet is currently facing some challenges, such as aging datalink systems as well as sensor and other capabilities that are overdue for important upgrades,' he said. 'Specific details, however, cannot be provided for reasons of operational security.' Article content Military and government officials 'are working together with industry partners to determine a way forward for the aircraft and the capabilities it supports,' Sadiku said. Article content 'The Cyclone remains capable of supporting Royal Canadian Navy operations and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.' Article content Sadiku wouldn't confirm Sikorsky has put a hefty price tag on replacing the Cyclones' ageing datalinks — used to communicate digital information such as radar images to other aircraft, warships and shore bases. 'The datalink upgrade project is still under evaluation, as such, schedule and costs are still being negotiated.'
