Preserving capacity, General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff, Keys to Canadian SAR
Issue link: http://vanguardcanada.uberflip.com/i/111458
N Navy Carol Dobson is the principal of Carol Dobson Communications in Halifax. Previously, she worked in government and association public affairs, including as the assistant base information officer at CFB Halifax. New frigate systems deliver new capability R honouring Canada's commitments the request of Industry In July,ear-Admiral Patrick Flinn, the Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) delivered a report atto international allies." the Canadian Association of Chief of Staff Materiel The benefits (IRB) program. Though consoles, command Group and Paradis on the government's industrial and Minister Christianthe former Director General Maritime Equip- regional ships' main computer systems andCanada was among the ment Program Management, has described the Royal defenceand control systems, radar capability, electronic warfare systems, first countries to adopt an offsets program, many in the Caindustry believe that, despite changes made in 2009, the policy and communications technologies are being upgraded during nadian Navy's Halifax-class Modernization/Frigate Equipment is no longer competitive with other nations. Life Extensioncontains 17 recommendations, divided to reno- broad sections. First, it renews CADSI's enhancements will imThe report (HCM FELEX) project as being similar into three this mid-life refit. These combat systems call for an industrial vating a house not only serves out. government's primary purposeprove effectiveness and provide sailorsbut also maximizes jobs, strategy that – from the walls the of equipping the Canadian Forces with more time to counter threats, It then offers suggestions to improve The $900 million project will ensure that the 12 frigates, the innovation and economic activity for Canada through defence spending.both on the open ocean and near shore. measures As to combat system integrator, Lockheed Martin Canada workhorses of the RCN fleet, continueFinally, it invites the governmentthe consider administrative changes that would result is introduced to the program in 2009. to perform the missions developing required by the government until their approach to program management. and integrating a new system that includes Combat in a more flexible, less process driven projected replacement System Management Thorsteinson, spoke recently with date of 2030. Prime Minister Harper has said "the frigate fleet's CADSI president, Tim Page, and vice-president of government relations, Janetsoftware co-developed with Sweden's Saab SDS. The most important job is reasoning behind some of their recommendations. major systems being replaced include the Interrogator Vanguard about the maintaining the safety and security of sovereign Canadian waters, patrolling Canada's three coastlines and protecting borders from smugglers of drugs and humans, terrorists, illegal fishing and polluters. The vessels are also used in 42 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2013 www.vanguardcanada.com Friend or Foe by U.S.-based Telephonics, the SG-180 2D Radar by Saab EDS, a Fire Control System by Saab SDS, a SMART-S 3D Radar from Thales, the Data Link Processing System from