14 Jan 21 – Members of Operation Unifier (Roto 10) take part in a C8 Carbine live fire range at the International Peacekeeping and Security Centre, in Starychi, Ukraine.
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IN THE NEWS
Feb 25
Concerns about the readiness of the USAF’s ageing fleet of E-3 Sentry airborne early warning and control platforms, based on the Boeing 707, has the commander of the U.S. Air Force in the Pacific calling for a replacement. Gen Kenneth S. Wilsbach would like to see the E-3 replaced by the E-7 Wedgetail version of the Boeing 737 already operated by Australia and South Korea.
Feb 25
A report on extremism in the U.S. military not only offers insights into white supremacists’ activities but also recommends ways to better identify them and preferably stop them from enlisting. Commissioned by Congress and dated last October 2020, the recently-disclosed report concludes that although extremism was not widespread, there are concerns about how “individuals with extremist affiliations and military experience are a concern to U.S. national security because of their proven ability to execute high-impact events.”
Feb 25
Amid ongoing complaints about Russian meddling in other countries’ affairs, President Vladimir Putin has directed his Federal Security Service to step up its response to what he says are western attempts to destabilize his country. He says the “so-called policy of containment of Russia” includes efforts to “derail our development, slow it down, create problems alongside our borders, provoke internal instability and undermine the values that unite the Russian society.”
Feb 25
The U.S. Department of Defense Department could be issuing a sole-source request for proposal “within the next month or two” for a performance-based F-35 logistics contract which the company says will improve spares availability and maintenance timelines. The Lockheed Martin proposal is a scaled down version of a more costly one it proposed in 2019.
Feb 25
Massachusetts-based Boston Dynamics, an acknowledged global leader in robotics, is criticizing an “art installation” project which would permit online control of one of its $80,000 Spot quadrupeds in a paintball exercise. The company says the “provocative use” of its robodog could void its warranty.
Feb 25
The U.S. Army plans to field test a new microwave weapon designed to protect installations against attacks by unmanned aerial systems. Demonstrated recently in New Mexico, the Tactical High Power Operational Responder evidently can target multiple drones simultaneously compared with lasers which are single-target technology.
Feb 25
More than 2,000 staff at the Communications Security Establishment, without a contract for two years, have voted to strike after what the Public Service Alliance of Canada says is management’s insistence on “a deal-breaking concession” and refusal to send the dispute for binding arbitration. The union says the proposed concession would mean lower pay than elsewhere in the government.
Feb 25
DND has confirmed an investigation into Canada's new Chief of the Defence Staff for unspecified allegations of misconduct. Admiral Art McDonald, who assumed office in January, has voluntarily stepped aside as he is investigated by the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service.
Feb 24
This statement from DND explains key differences between their cost estimates and those of the PBO, confirms the extensive research that went into selecting the design, and notes the high cost of starting the process all over.
Feb 24
The cost of building 15 Canadian Surface Combatant ships for the Royal Canadian Navy was pegged by the Parliamentary Budget Officer today at more than $77 billion and he warned that it could top $82 billion if there are any more delays. The CSCs are based on the British Type 26 frigate and there are suggestions costs could be contained by procuring two classes of ships.
Feb 24
Early planning indicates that the new U.S. administration’s 2022 defence budget will essentially match the previous administration’s 2021 plan. That would leave base funding for 2022 at around $696 billion or only $2.t6 billion more than in 2020.
Feb 24
Russian firearms manufacturer Kalashnikov has unveiled a new AK-19 assault rifle at a United Arab Emirates Air Show. Based on the AK-12 introduced into domestic service in 2018, it is chambered for NATO-standard ammunition and features a Pickatinny rail, collapsible folding stock, improved aperture sight and rapidly detachable suppressor.
Feb 24
Two Boeing KC-46 air-to-air refuelling platforms have been ordered for the Israeli Air Force along with additional Lockheed Martin F-35 fighters, more helicopters, advanced munitions and other weapon systems. The tankers are being procured through the U.S. Foreign Military Financing program.
Feb 24
Faced with the planned withdrawal of its Westland-Aerospatiale SA 330E Puma HC2 helicopters from service in 2025, the Royal Air Force is focusing on a new type of medium-lift platform. No specific successor has been identified but the RAF’s 23 Pumas, although upgraded, have airframes dating to the early 1970s.
Feb 24
BAE Systems Hägglunds has chosen Elbit Systems to provide the Royal Netherlands Army with the Israeli firm’s Iron Fist active protection system for its fleet of Swedish CV90 tracked combat vehicles. The $82-million contract also includes electro-optical sights for new turrets ordered in a $500-million procurement announced last month.
Feb 24
The German and Israeli defence ministries have signed an agreement for the purchase of the Rafael-made Trophy active protection system for the Bundeswehr’s Leopard 2 tanks. Krauss-Maffei Wegmann will install it during a previously-announced upgrade.
Feb 24
A senior UN official says Iran committed multiple violations of human rights and international law in connection with the shooting down of Ukranian International Airlines Flight PS752 in January 2020. Among other things in a report, Special Rapporteur Agnès Callamard cites military operations near Tehran’s international airport
Feb 24
Microsoft President Brad Smith says the U.S. must prepare a “robust menu” of responses to cyber attacks. He was commenting on the massive Solarwinds hack, which exposed the vulnerability of civilian government networks and the limitations of efforts to detect threats. “We need to strengthen the nation’s digital infrastructure and digital defenses, and that touches every part of the public sector, and every part of the private sector as well.”
Feb 23
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Joe Biden used their first bilateral meeting to promise an “ambitious new partnership roadmap, based on shared values and priorities” as their governments address climate change, the post-pandemic world and China’s detention of two Canadians in December 2019. “Job One remains keeping people safe,” the PM said today after the virtual meeting.
Feb 23
The French navy’s third-generation nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine program is scheduled to deliver four boats, the first in 2035. The project will be managed by Naval Group and TechnicAtome, the latter as prime on the reactor element. Thales will develop a sonar suite.
Feb 23
Gary Walbourne, the former military ombudsman, has been called to testify before the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence about what the government knew about allegations of misconduct by Gen Jonathan Vance, the former Chief of the Defence Staff. Walbourne, who retired early in 2019, had declined an earlier invitation.
Feb 23
A Nova Scotia inquiry into the death of a former Army trooper who committed suicide after killing three family members in 2017 is shifting to the government’s handling of the case. Lionel Desmond of Halifax had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and a possible brain injury after a combat deployment in Afghanistan.
Feb 23
A report by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies warns that even if the U.S. manages to keep its allies from using Chinese telecommunications technology, Beijing’s “digital silk road” strategy enables China to burrow into those countries' economies and infrastructure, creating dependencies that may ultimately weaken alliance ties.
Feb 23
Saab has been chosen to develop technology which could enable drones to fly safely in European airplace near civil aircraft. Ann-Kristin Adolfsson, who leads business development and strategy at the Swedish firm’s aeronautics arm, says that “while the project focus is on military unmanned aircraft, the technology is fully applicable to also civil systems.”
Feb 23
The president of the Alabama-based shipbuilder, Austal USA, has resigned amid investigations by U.S. and Australian authorities into losses incurred from its involvement in the U.S. Navy’s littoral combat ship program. Craig Perciavalle been replaced for now by the company’s chief financial officer.
ISSUES & IDEAS
This statement from DND explains key differences between their cost estimates and those of the PBO, confirms the extensive research that went into selecting the design, and notes the high cost of starting the process all over.
With only two weeks to respond, Airbus and Boeing are expected to compete to replace Canada's ageing fleet of CC-150 Polaris aircraft. An ITQ (Invitation to Qualify) was posted on 12 Feb by Procurement Canada.
The question of the direct defense in Europe today is broader than just the Russian challenge. More than ever before, global alliances allow nations to work together, and that achievement is key to creating multi-national coalitions of the willing and fortify real deterrents.
FEATURED ARTICLES 2020 |
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BY ROBBIN LAIRD
The shift from land wars to conflicts in contested air and sea spaces, means new concepts of operations and systems are developing, and this requires collaboration between the services.
BY HUDSON ON THE HILL
The JSS project timeline is much longer than it should be, but is well underway. So why, after all this time, did the House of Commons ask the Parliamentary Budget Office to review costs?
BY ARIE EGOZI
Israel is using nano satellites to monitor for hostile missile launch preparations, and is developing cruise missiles to add to its defence arsenal of long-range ballistic missiles.
BY EUGENE GERDEN
In a move intended to bring Russia to the level of modern armies of the West, its military is ready to begin the next stage of massive reforms of its national armed forces to ensure their active development within the next decade, according to recent statements made by Russian military commanders and local defence analysts.
Every year, FrontLine highlights a select group of organizations that make innovation a serious priority. From R&D to advanced technologies, these companies are making a difference for the future.
BY DARREN HAWCO
As adversaries utilize increasingly technological tactics, NATO needs to consider deterrence from the lens of today and not the past, to evolve its role as an international actor, and to reassess the capabilities required to deter potential adversary actions across the entire spectrum of hostile measures.
Newer technologies have brought about significant changes in the threats being faced, driving nations to modernize their defences, which are becoming vulnerable to counter-attacks and countermeasures. IAI’s BARAK- MX sets new standards for modern air defence capability.
Although COVID-19 has had a significant impact across Canada, the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) has made significant progress in 2020. The question now, is what will the headwinds be like, in 2021 and beyond?
Many leadership changes in your defence community in 2020. The following highlight DND/CAF, Rockwell Collins, Samuel Associates, Thales Canada, MDA, Deloitte Canada, Federal Fleet Services, and Boeing Canada.