Canada: Govt considering up to six C17's

[410Cougar]

Pursuit, you're right, they do have people there and there is nothing they can do about the past. My only concern is that they won't do enough in the future to support the missions that we have and will have as the days go by. Just my opinion, of course. Watch the slant in the upcoming C-17 deal announcement - the biggest questions will be why wasn't there a bidding to consider the Airbus or that the planes cost too much.

I agree with your synopsis of the usage of our Hercs - they'll make an excellent fit with the already stressed Aurora's who look after the land right now plus with them operating out of a forward station they'll be able to help our Hornets do their air sovereignty exercises as far as refuelling goes.

Cheers and thanks for a great dialogue about the media...I guess I just needed to rant for a bit and am glad that you helped me along with it.

 

[Big-E]

. Watch the slant in the upcoming C-17 deal announcement - the biggest questions will be why wasn't there a bidding to consider the Airbus.

What aircraft does Airbus make that can compete with the payload of a C-17? It takes more than 2 A400Ms to get close to her capacity. Is it that much cheaper to buy?

 

[410Cougar]

Sorry Big E - it was in reference to the probable purchase of new Hercs, not the C-17's. They'll all be part of the same announcement which will officially come out of Ottawa in the not so distant future.

 

[Sea Toby]

Great news, Canada acquiring C-17s. They are worth every penny spent. Since this is the last year for the C-17 line, its a must to get your order in now. Too bad Canada had not purchased the C-130Js earlier, with two thirds of your Hercules fleet ageing, the previous government missed the boat when they passed on new Hercules. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee!

 

[410Cougar]

Just as a followup to this thread, it seems that the gov't will be making the announcement next week, along with the purchase of several other goodies for our forces.

Harper set to announce $15 billion in military spending

Ottawa will announce $15 billion in new spending on the Canadian military next week, CBC News has learned.

The country's aging Hercules fleet will be replaced. (Canadian Press) A report by SRC, the CBC's French language service, says the spending spree will be "Christmas in June for the Canadian Forces."

On Monday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper is set to announce in Halifax that the Conservative government will fund the building of three new supply ships. That is expected to cost about $2.1 billion.

On Tuesday, the announcement will be to give the army new trucks. That promise, worth about $1.1 billion, will be made in Quebec.

On Wednesday, in Edmonton, will come the official announcement about helicopters. The prime minister will issue an invitation to tender for 15 new helicopters at a cost of about $4.2 billion.

Finally, on Thursday at CFB Trenton in Ontario, Harper will announce a competition worth $4.6 billion to replace Canada's aging fleet of Hercules aircraft, some of which date back to the 1960s.

Harper will also promise to buy at least four C-17 transport planes, which are massive heavy-lift aircraft, at a cost of $3 billion.

That adds up to over $15 billion and fulfills a campaign promise by the Conservatives to make the Canadian military a top priority.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/06/21/military21062006.html

For more of todays news, head over to www.thehotramp.com and click on "News".

 

[Supe]

Harper will also promise to buy at least four C-17 transport planes, which are massive heavy-lift aircraft, at a cost of $3 billion.

Excellent news but why the delay on a decision on the Herc fleet? I recall Hillier pretty much saying that the bulk of the fleet is on its last legs. Forget the Airbus, by the time it comes on line you guys will be lucky to have tactrans capability left.

On Wednesday, in Edmonton, will come the official announcement about helicopters. The prime minister will issue an invitation to tender for 15 new helicopters at a cost of about $4.2 billion

NH-90's?

 

[410Cougar]

The TENDER will be released with a time frame spec in it, hence the only one that will be considered is the Herc. Just have to release the tender.

Helis...they mentioned something but I wasn't totally focused when they did. When I find out I'll post it here unless someone else does beforehand.

 

[Whiskyjack]

The TENDER will be released with a time frame spec in it, hence the only one that will be considered is the Herc. Just have to release the tender.

Helis...they mentioned something but I wasn't totally focused when they did. When I find out I'll post it here unless someone else does beforehand.

My understanding on the C130J is that it could not be delivered before 2009? Hence Airbus put in a bid/proposal that involved upgrading the current C130s and delivering the A400.

If true and I have seen it from various sources then the Js would not be operational before 2010-2011 at the earliest.

While I think the C-17 is an awesome air lifter, with so few being bought (this includes the RAF and RAAF) I can’t see them being used in the tactical role. So I wonder why the proposed AN124 variant with engines from Rolls Royce and avionics from Thales (?) has not been considered more. More lift for less money? I am playing devils advocate here as I am aware that it is not flying etc… But when you look at the cost the RCAF and RAAF will be paying for 8 C-17s (around the US$4b mark) and the reported cost of an AN124 (around US$50-60m) from the Ukraine.

Just a discussion point anyway.

 

[410Cougar]

Actually we'd probably get the Hercs starting later in the year and have them all purchased and in service by that time.

When it comes to the C-17 you also have to think strategically - the alliances that have been forged and the number of smaller subsidiary companies in our country who have to gain from this deal is large.

 

[Sea Toby]

Yes, the Russian aircraft is cheaper upfront. However, does the Russian aircraft company have a large network of sales, parts, and support in Canada? The answer is no. While Boeing and Airbus have been setting up a large network, they have also expanded their parts base worldwide.

Before the end of the Cold War there were a number of third world African nations that operated Russian patrol ships and craft. Fifteen years later, there are just a few. Most of this Russian equipment eventually rotted waiting for spare parts and expertise which didn't come. Without spares and expertise, the Russian aircraft won't run long.

 

[Big-E]

Didn't gf have something to say about Antonovs? :flame

 

[410Cougar]

"Canada First" Defence Procurement - Medium-to Heavy-Lift Helicopters
NR–06.032 - June 28, 2006

EDMONTON – Minister of National Defence Gordon O’Connor and Minister of Public Works and Government Services Michael Fortier, along with Minister of Public Safety Stockwell Day and Chief of the Defence Staff General Rick Hillier today announced an estimated $4.7 billion project to acquire a fleet of 16 medium-to heavy-lift helicopters. This purchase not only delivers on the Government of Canada’s commitment to strengthening Canada’s military, it also reinstates a vital capability that aircrews and soldiers have done without for over a decade.

“This Government’s new Canada First Defence Strategy promises to rebuild the Canadian Forces which had been under funded, undermanned and under-equipped for more than a decade,” said Minister O'Connor. “Mobility is an essential capability that the men and women of the Canadian Forces need to get the job done.”

“Emergency response personnel work side by side with the Canadian Forces in the event of natural or man-made disasters,” said Minister Day. "These helicopters will mean quicker responses to emergencies throughout Canada and will help protect Canadians at home and abroad while enhancing our capacity to better cooperate with our allies in the fight against terrorism."

“These helicopters will be a valuable addition to the Canadian Forces,” said General Hillier. “This new capability will allow our troops to deploy into isolated areas in effective numbers, without relying on our allies.”

The medium-to heavy-lift helicopters will be procured through a competitive process known as an Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) which identifies the Government’s intention to contract with a specific supplier and also gives all potential suppliers the opportunity to demonstrate that they also can meet the Canadian Forces’ mandatory capabilities for this helicopter. If no valid statement of capabilities is received then the process is deemed to be competitive. If a valid statement of capabilities is received then a fully competitive process will be run.

The estimated total project cost for this aircraft acquisition is $2 billion, plus an estimated contract value of $2.7 billion for 20 years of in-service support – a contract to be competed by the winning contractor, with work largely to be done in Canada.

Benefits for Canadian industry will be substantial with the selected contractor required to provide full economic benefits. This means that for every contract dollar awarded, the contractor will commit a corresponding dollar in economic activity in Canada.

Additionally, the helicopters will be serviced in Canada as part of a 20-year, in-service support program. The government will ensure mechanical support is provided in Canada by Canadian mechanics and contractors.

The government understands the importance of getting the right tools, for the right job, for the right amount of money.

The Canadian Forces do not currently have a military helicopter to fulfil this role and to date rely on allied or coalition forces to provide this type of transport while deployed.

http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/newsroom/view_news_e.asp?id=1966

Looking ahead to tomorrow - the acquisition of 4 C-17's will be announced and I'll post the info as soon as I get it. For more of today's CDN and US Air Force News, head over to www.thehotramp.com and click on "News".

 

[410Cougar]

And now for the big one.......


"Canada First" Defence Procurement - New Strategic & Tactical Airlift Fleets
NR–06.033 - June 29, 2006

TRENTON – Minister of National Defence Gordon O’Connor and Minister of Public Works and Government Services Michael Fortier, along with Minister of Industry Maxime Bernier and Chief of the Defence Staff General Rick Hillier today announced the plan to acquire four new strategic lift aircraft and 17 new tactical lift aircraft at an estimated total cost of $8.3 billion. This investment addresses the need to revitalize the Canadian Forces’ airlift capabilities and is the most significant military investment in over a decade.

“For thirteen years, the former Liberal government ignored the needs of the Canadian Forces," said Minister O'Connor. “Renewal of the Canadian Forces’ tactical airlift fleet has long been a military priority and a priority for this Government. Further, a strategic airlift capability fulfils a top NATO requirement and shows that Canada is taking a leadership role among its allies.”

“The procurement process will be fair, open, transparent and in line with this government's Federal Accountability Act and Action Plan,” said Minister Fortier. “A rigorous procurement process has been put in place to ensure that the equipment meets the needs of the men and women of the Canadian Forces while making sure that Canadian taxpayers get the best value for their hard earned money.”

“The Government will negotiate a specific industrial benefits package for this project,” said Minister Bernier. “We expect contractors to deliver one dollar in high-quality economic activity in Canada for every dollar they are awarded as part of this project. This economic benefits package will mean billions in long-term business activity in Canada.”

“I am delighted that the urgent priority to replace the rapidly aging Hercules fleet has been realized with this announcement,” said General Hillier. “Gaining a strategic airlift capability to complement our tactical airlift requirement will ensure we can quickly deploy our equipment and personnel without relying on our allies or contractors which is a huge benefit to the Canadian Forces and to Canadians.”

DND will procure four strategic lift aircraft to provide rapid transport of large amounts of passengers and equipment over long distances, including Canada’s disaster assistance response capability (DART). The acquisition of these aircraft will be conducted through a competitive process known as an Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN), which identifies the Government’s intention to contract with a specific supplier and also gives all potential suppliers the opportunity to demonstrate that they also can meet the Canadian Forces’ mandatory capabilities for strategic airlift. If no valid statement of capabilities is received then the process is deemed to be competitive. If a valid statement of capabilities is received then a fully competitive process will be run.

The estimated total project cost for this strategic lift aircraft acquisition is $1.8 billion, plus an estimated contract value of $1.6 billion for 20 years of in-service support - a contract that will be dependant on the outcome of the ACAN process.

“The procurement of the tactical lift aircraft fleet will be conducted through a solicitation of interest and qualification, which invites all potential suppliers to indicate their interest and demonstrate their ability to meet mandatory requirements,” said Minister Fortier.

The estimated total project cost for the tactical airlift component is $3.2 billion, plus an estimated contract value of $1.7 billion for 20 years of in-service support to be carried out by Canadian industry. Tactical airlift, the lifeline of deployed Canadian Forces members, will transport equipment, troops and supplies within Canada and on overseas operations.

Benefits for Canadian industry will be considerable as both acquisitions require contractors to provide full economic benefits. This means that for every contract dollar awarded, the contractor will commit a corresponding dollar in economic activity in Canada.

http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/newsroom/view_news_e.asp?id=1971

For more of todays news, head over to www.thehotramp.com and click on "News".

Cheers guys, have a great weekend and if you're in Canada then HAPPY CANADA DAY and to my friends south of the border HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!