Why BREXIT Might Make a Difference to the CF-18 Replacement

For many, the possibility of a European fighter jet replacing the RCAF's ageing fleet of CF-18 Hornets stands at zero chance - while others; like myself believe the Dassault Rafale provides the best options for the RCAF in operations in the Arctic and our responsibilities to both NORAD and NATO. This is especially true if Dassault agrees to built part of the fleet in Canada as previously announced.

That all sounds nice and good; then came last weeks BREXIT. With the 17+ million people of the United Kingdom voting to leave the European Union, Europe is left with one major anchor economy: Germany (sorry France; you don't qualify as a anchor economy). What does this mean for Canada's CF-18 Replacement? It could mean a lot - or absolutely nothing. We don't know yet.

With the BREXIT, similar sentiment in several other European nations might cause a domino effect, and see numerous countries leave the EU - which might mean a lower likely hood of not only military exports, but lower likely hood that nations will not send manufacturing jobs outside their borders; and this could mean no option to built Rafale's in Canada.

I have heard from some that Dassault will not establish a manufacturing chain in North America for 65 Aircraft. While that might be true - other companies have set up a base of operation in Canada for a lot smaller orders. Take a look a TEXTRON; who opened offices in Ottawa after receiving the contract for Tactican  Armoured Patrol Vehicles (TAPV) for the Canadian Army; and that was only a a $1.2 Billion agreement. The CF-18 replacement will be above $15 Billion.

Why is this all a problem? This might make the F-35 or the F/A-18 Super Hornet Canada's only options (not that either would be built in Canada).

Canadian Army to Start Receiving TAPVs this Summer

By: David Pugliese, Defence Watch 

Defence Watch had previously reported on the delays affecting the delivery of the Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles to the Canadian Army and the hope at the DND that the first will be delivered by August. That will be happening, the Army has now confirmed.


The fleet of 500 TAPVs will be distributed across seven bases and 24 units over a 17-month period.

The Canadian Army has said it expects to declare full operational capability by mid-2020, following training of all operators, and completion of user trials and exercises confirming operational readiness.

The TAPVs from Textron are being delivered in two variants, according to the army – General Utility and Reconnaissance. The vehicles are equipped with remote weapons stations, which allows gunners to aim and fire from the vehicle’s interior. The remote weapons stations come equipped with both a 40-mm automatic grenade launcher and a C6 machine gun, the army pointed out.

Photo above courtesy of Textron.

Delivery schedule below as outlined by the Army up until the end of 2017.

CAF's Armoured Patrol Vehicle Delayed Again

By David Pugliese, Defence Watch 

Delivery of the Canadian military’s new armoured vehicles has been delayed once again after problems were found with the steering systems of the vehicles ordered under the $1.2-billion program.

The first of the Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles was supposed to be delivered in 2014. But in April, the Citizen revealed that significant technical problems dogged the armoured vehicles. Department of National Defence officials said the vehicles would start being delivered early this year.

That has been pushed back again because of additional technical problems, DND confirmed Thursday. It hopes to get the first vehicle out in August.

At one time, the $1.2-billion Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) program was seen as a Conservative government procurement project that was proceeding smoothly.

TAPV from Textron (Photo: Handout - Textron Canada) 

The government announced the project in 2009 as part of its re-equipping of the Canadian Army. Canada plans to buy at least 500 new vehicles from Textron, a U.S.-based defence firm that has set up offices in Ottawa.

The TAPV program has “experienced a number of significant technical issues, particularly affecting vehicle mobility,” then-defence minister Rob Nicholson was told in August 2014. There have been problems with the suspension, steering and other items on the vehicle, according to a briefing document released under the Access to Information law.

The technical issues significantly delayed the test program, the document added. “These accumulating incidents, which relate to the vehicle’s ability to travel distances on medium cross country terrain, led the project office to conclude the existing testing could no longer continue.”

The government is purchasing the TAPV to give troops what it calls a high degree of protection and mobility on the battlefield.

Textron officials told the Citizen in late May that a new round of testing had started and was proceeding smoothly. All the previously identified problems had been dealt with, they added.

But testing had to be halted in September 2015. That was done to investigate the reliability of the steering system, said Department of National Defence spokeswoman Ashley Lemire.

The problem was solved and testing resumed last month. Testing is to be finished in May, said Lemire.

“The technical issues have been addressed by Textron Systems Canada,” she added. “Though the government of Canada does not have present concerns, the qualification program will be completed in accordance with the contract in order to confirm that the vehicle fully meets requirements.”

Canada has an option to buy an additional 100 TAPVs. The $1.2 billion project budget also includes the building of infrastructure for the new vehicles, as well as the purchase of ammunition and service support for the equipment.

dpugliese@postmedia.com