Re: Weapons

by Lux4795 Thu 13 Jan 2022, 4:09 pm

Canadian military dealing with more problems with new machine guns

These issues "are being fixed at no additional cost,” DND says. “We remain confident that the improvements being put in place will result in the delivery of fully compliant weapons to Canada."

David Pugliese • Ottawa Citizen
Publishing date: Jan 13, 2022

The Canadian military is dealing with yet more problems affecting its brand new machine guns being built by Colt Canada.

In August, military sources alerted this newspaper to problems with the new C6 guns that resulted in 347 defective weapons being returned to the company for repair. The weapons are part of a $120-million deal with the firm in Kitchener, Ont., to build new C6A1 general purpose machine guns.

During the repairs on those weapons, additional problems were found with the guns, the Department of National Defence confirmed to this newspaper. “Some production weapons had failed the belt pull testing, which ultimately resulted in the need to replace all the feed channels for weapons manufactured from 1 Oct 2020 to 1 Oct 2021, which represents a total of 1,391 weapons,” DND spokesman Dan Le Bouthillier noted in an email. “This component was slightly out of specification, and causing some weapons not to perform adequately during this live firing test.”

In July 2017, then Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan announced the Canadian government would purchase 1,148 new C6A1 FLEX general purpose machine guns from Colt Canada. The contract was worth $32 million. In January 2020, the Liberal government announced it would spend $97 million buying another batch of C6A1s, some of which would be installed on armoured vehicles. In announcing the original contract, Sajjan said the new guns would improve the Canadian Army’s operational capability and would “help provide an advantage over potential adversaries.”

DND noted that both Canadian Army leaders and the defence department’s procurement chief, Troy Crosby, believed the contract with Colt was providing value for tax dollars despite the ongoing problems. That is because “these issues are being fixed at no additional cost,” the department noted. “We remain confident that the improvements being put in place will result in the delivery of fully compliant weapons to Canada,” DND added.

Colt Canada’s Czech parent firm, the Ceska Zbrojovka Group (CZG), noted in a statement in August that “Colt Canada is working closely with the Government of Canada to address any technical issues identified with some of the machine guns it has delivered to the Canadian Armed Forces.”

In August, Colt Canada did not respond to questions about why more than 340 defective guns were provided to the Canadian military. Colt Canada did not provide comment on what changes would be put in place to prevent a repeat of the problems with the new C6 machine guns.

But, in response to the latest C6 problem, a Colt Canada lawyer sent a letter to this newspaper noting that, during routine testing, the firm had identified a concern with a part provided by another vendor. “The root cause was identified as an out of spec vendor-supplied component, known as the feed channel,” the letter stated. “Colt Canada has worked closely with this vendor and with the Department of National Defence to rectify the issue with this component for all future production. All weapons which were previously supplied with the affected component will be rectified in the field and, as such, this has had only a minimal impact on the deployment of the system.”

The contract for the new guns was awarded to Colt Canada without competition under a federal government program to support Canada’s ability to produce military small arms domestically. Colt Canada has been deemed the country’s Small Arms Strategic Source and Centre of Excellence by the federal government.

The first deliveries of the C6A1 Flex general purpose machine guns began in late 2020, with final deliveries anticipated in 2023. DND did not say how many of the guns had been delivered so far.

The C6A1 FLEX machine gun is to be carried by soldiers and mounted on some Canadian Forces vehicles. Colt is to make another version of the C6 designed to be mounted in armoured turrets such as the Leopard Tank and the Light Armoured Vehicle fleet.

Small arms analysts have noted that the machine gun the C6 is based on is a tried-and-true design that is in service with militaries in more than 80 countries.

Defence Watch

by **Accer** Mon 02 May 2022, 2:09 pm

Canadian military eyes new ground-based air defence system at a cost of $1 billion

Defence analysts and retired generals have pointed to the Russian invasion of Ukraine as evidence of the need for such equipment.

David Pugliese • Ottawa Citizen
Publishing date: May 02, 2022

The Canadian military has started the process to purchase a new high-tech system worth up to $1 billion that will be capable of shooting down enemy aircraft, missiles and drones.

Government procurement specialists will request ideas from industry sometime this year as the Canadian Army works out the specifics of what it wants in such a system.

Defence analysts and retired generals have pointed to the Russian invasion of Ukraine as evidence of the need for such equipment.

The Liberal government originally outlined the proposed purchase in its 2018 defence capability plan. At that point, the government stated such a ground-based air defence system would cost between $250 million and $499 million.

But, even before the procurement process has begun in earnest, that price tag has increased. During an April 5 briefing in Ottawa, army officials told defence industry representatives the cost would now be between $500 million and $1 billion.

A contact would be awarded in 2026 and the first systems would be in place a year later, industry officials were told.

“The majority of items to be acquired by this project will be fielded, commercial-off-the-shelf technology,” Department of National Defence spokesman Dan Le Bouthillier explained in an email to this newspaper. “The target threats are rocket, artillery and mortar munitions, air to surface missiles and bombs, and remotely piloted aircraft systems.”

During the April 5 briefing, industry officials were informed the system would also be able to target cruise missiles, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. The new system wouldn’t be capable of tackling larger weapons, such as theatre ballistic missiles or intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The new system could be outfitted with guns or missiles or both.

The Canadian military will have to examine whether it wants the air defence system mounted on light armoured vehicles or something smaller, such as trucks.

A number of defence firms have already started marketing their systems in Canada as the project ramps up.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has shown the value of air defence systems, according to defence analysts. Ukraine has been able to stop Russia’s air force from controlling the skies over the battlefield using a variety of anti-aircraft missiles and weapons. Ukraine claims to have destroyed 121 Russian helicopters and 97 fixed-wing aircraft. In addition, Russian drones have also been shot down.

The war has highlighted a gap in the Canadian military’s capabilities as it has been without an air defence system for the past decade.

The Canadian Army was outfitted in 1989 with a state-of-the art air defence anti-tank system known as ADATS. It was purchased to protect bases in Germany against attack by the Russians, but, shortly after ADATS was delivered, the Cold War ended and the systems were shipped back to Canada. ADATS was occasionally used for domestic security, including to provide protection from potential air threats during the G8 summit in Alberta in 2002.

But, faced with budget cuts ordered by the Conservative government, the army announced it was removing ADATS from service in 2012.

The move left the Canadian Forces without a primary air defence system. Army officers acknowledged at the time that decision was risky, but the service had determined it was acceptable in the short term. The army had plans to introduce a new air defence system around 2017, but that project never went forward.

In 2020, then army commander Lt.-Gen. Wayne Eyre told Esprit de Corps military magazine that ground-based air defence was a priority for the service. “We see the evolving threat from drones, from rockets, and other forms of indirect fire,” said Eyre, who has since been promoted to chief of the defence staff. “We have to be able to protect ourselves.”

He noted that sophisticated sensors capable of identifying the location of enemy positions as well as detecting incoming warheads would be particularly important for ground-based air defence.

Defence Watch

by RevForce Fri 13 May 2022, 7:30 pm

Analysis: Military push for Canada to go to 'wartime footing' to produce armaments will be costly for taxpayers

David Pugliese • Ottawa Citizen
Publishing date:May 13, 2022

The push is on both in the U.S. and Canada to gear up industry to go to a “wartime footing” and significantly boost production of weapons.

If that happens expect billions of tax dollars to be directed to some of the largest defence firms, most of them headquartered in the U.S.

Each night on U.S. newscasts retired American generals, many who work behind the scenes for major defence firms, echo the call to ramp up arms production.

In Canada, Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre argues that the war between Ukraine and Russia should be the catalyst for such a major shift in industrial capacity.

“I think what this has shown though is we need to increase the capacity of defence industry,” Eyre told the CBC last week. “Given the deteriorating world situation, we need the defence industry to go into a wartime footing and increase their production lines to be able to support the requirements that are out there, whether it’s ammunition, artillery, rockets, you name it. There’s a huge demand out there.”

Earlier it was retired defence chief Gen. Rick Hillier who called on Canada to take $1 billion in tax dollars and buy Ukraine thousands of Javelin anti-tank missiles and Stinger surface-to-air missiles.

But the reality of modern conflict seems lost on Eyre and Hillier. There is no ‘Javelins R Us’ store for government procurement agents to drop by and place an order.

Eyre’s idea that Canada’s defence industry could go on a “wartime footing” harkens back to the days when workers during the Second World War hammered out $10 Sten machine guns in a factory in Ontario.

Many modern weapons are highly reliant on sophisticated electronics and other components now in high demand. The pandemic has also created issues with supply chains and the availability of workers.

Just hours before Eyre was on CBC calling for the defence industry to go to a wartime footing, the reality of current day supply chains and arms production was being playing out with the Canadian Forces latest purchase. National Defence announced a multi-year delay in receiving its new search and rescue aircraft.

In the U.S. — the world’s largest exporter of weapons — the problems are just as acute.

The American military has turned over 7,000 Javelin missiles and at least 1,400 Stinger surface-to-air missiles to Ukraine. But that was from existing stocks and the arms industry is struggling to backfill that inventory for the Pentagon.

Lockheed Martin’s chief executive Jim Taiclet told CBS on May 8 that the firm is boosting Javelin production from 2,100 missiles a year to 4,000 per year. Getting to that goal, however, will take as long as two years because of supply chain problems, he added.

Greg Hayes, Raytheon’s chief executive, told investment analysts April 26 that the firm may not be able to produce more Stingers until at least 2023 due to parts shortages. That is because some Stinger components are no longer being made, forcing Raytheon to use other electronics.

Another issue is that the U.S. Department of Defense stopped buying Stingers some 18 years ago. That, in turn, limited production as the firm relied on smaller orders from international customers. “We are actively trying to source some of the material, but unfortunately DoD hasn’t bought a Stinger in 18 years,” Hayes said. “As far as the Stingers, we should keep in mind we are currently producing Stingers for an international customer, but we have a very limited stock of material for Stinger production.”

Despite the ongoing supply chain problems, the Ukraine war is seen as a win-win situation for both the U.S. military and defence firms.

As the Pentagon ships its gear to Ukraine, new orders come in for replacement equipment. However those deliveries for the U.S. military will be of the most up-to-date versions of weapon systems. And at the same time the defence firms reap in profits as the U.S. military is resupplied.

There could be even more profit in the future. The long-term goal of the U.S. government is to shift Ukraine from Soviet-era weapons to NATO standard equipment. That would improve the task of resupplying Ukraine in the future but also mean large-scale contracts for mainly U.S. arms companies. That, in turn, will come at a cost to U.S. taxpayers.

The Liberal government will also come under pressure from retired generals and defence analysts, financed in part by the arms industry, to have Canada join in that rearmament plan.

Some of that pressure will also come from Defence Minister Anita Anand who is keen to pump billions of dollars more into the defence industry. At a conference held earlier this week by the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, and sponsored by numerous defence companies, Anand praised Eyre and her deputy minister Bill Matthews who she said were hard at work on the rearmament file.

“We meet daily, sometimes twice daily,” Anand said. “That’s the type of team I like to lead and that’s the type of team that will continue to deliver in this area.”

Defence Watch

by Covert Wed 08 Jun 2022, 8:12 am

Canadian Army selects new sniper rifle — 229 SAKO rifles to be purchased

The Sako TRG M10 bolt-action sniper rifle is a manually operated and magazine-fed system.

David Pugliese • Ottawa Citizen
Publishing date: Jun 07, 2022

The Canadian Army has selected the SAKO TRG M10 bolt-action rifle as its new multi-calibre sniper weapon.

Stoeger Canada with SAKO of Finland will begin deliveries of the new rifles which will allow the use of two different types of calibres to meet the operational and training needs of the Canadian Army. Stoeger Canada of Oshawa was awarded the $2.6 million contract for what is being called the C21 rifle.

The Canadian Army will acquire 229 of the C21s. All deliveries of the rifles are expected by the end of December 2022, said National Defence spokesman Dan Le Bouthillier.

The Sako TRG M10 bolt-action sniper rifle is a manually operated and magazine-fed system. Its interchangeable barrel/bolt system, among other features, make it a multi-functional system in a single weapon, according to SAKO and Stoeger officials. By switching out different parts, the sniper has the option of what calibre bullet might be fired. Snipers using the C1 have the option of selecting between 7.62x51mm and .338 Lapua Magnum calibres.

Bouthillier said the C21 provides Canadian Army snipers with greater flexibility as it has an adjustable folding stock to make it easier to transport and to accommodate various user types. In addition it is able to attach in-line night vision devices to increase operational effectiveness.

The rifle has a proven effective range of 1200 metres, National Defence added.

Defence Watch

by **Spider** Tue 05 Jul 2022, 10:06 am

Canadian commandos to get new pistol but exact type is secret — except for anyone with access to the internet

In a new twist, the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command declared the exact type of gun to be secret, despite statements and news articles identifying the pistol as the SIG Sauer P320.

David Pugliese • Ottawa Citizen
Publishing date: Jul 04, 2022

Canada’s commandos are getting a new pistol but the exact type is now considered a state secret.

Except to anyone, that is, who has access to the internet and can read details about the Canadian special forces’ $680,425 purchase of the SIG Sauer P320 handgun.

The ongoing saga of the now secret pistol started in November 2020 after a member of the counter-terrorism unit, Joint Task Force 2, accidentally shot himself with an SIG Sauer P320 during training in Ottawa. Taxpayers had already spent $680,425 to buy the new guns and the commandos were in the process of familiarizing themselves with the weapons.

The incident, which resulted in a flesh wound, prompted a temporary halt to Canadian special forces training with the P320, a development reported by CBC in February 2021. At the same time, SIG Sauer issued a statement noting it was “working with Canadian Special Operations Forces Command to resolve an incident involving the unintended discharge of a P320.”

The gun in question had been extensively tested and found to be safe, the firm noted. “The investigation revealed the use of an incorrect holster not designed for a P320,” SIG Sauer added in its statement.

Fast forward to last week when Canadian Special Operations Forces Command released a statement announcing it was now proceeding with bringing its new pistol into service. It acknowledged the original shooting incident but an investigation had deemed the new pistol to be safe and functioning properly.

However, in a new twist, the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command declared the exact type of gun to be secret, despite statements and news articles identifying the pistol as the SIG Sauer P320. In response to questions from this newspaper about the decision to now claim secrecy over the P320, the special forces said it has a policy not to disclose specifics about its weapons or capabilities.

That claim, however, is false as Canadian special forces leaders have not only discussed with the news media specific equipment purchases but the command has released photos of that gear to the public.

It’s not the first time, however, that Canadian special forces has invoked secrecy in a bizarre way. In the late 1990s, JTF2 unsuccessfully tried to claim that if this newspaper revealed the unit had purchased silverware for its dining facilities at its Dwyer Hill base then the security of Canada would be threatened.

Defence insiders are puzzled at why Maj.-Gen. Steve Boivin, head of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, is now claiming the SIG Sauer P320 pistols are secret when details of the purchase are public. Some suggest it could be a result of wanting to limit publicity over the embarrassment of a JTF2 soldier accidentally shooting himself.

Canadian special forces has been in the news recently. In May, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced questions in the House of Commons when it was revealed special forces operated an aircraft equipped with surveillance equipment over the so-called “Freedom Convoy” protests in Ottawa despite a military directive prohibiting such activities. Military sources, concerned that Canadian Special Operations Forces Command was trying to conceal its activities, revealed details of the flight to this newspaper. National Defence eventually confirmed the special forces flights.

Earlier this year, this newspaper revealed that two serving members of JTF2 had taken part in the convoy protests. Military personnel alleged that some serving members of JTF2 had openly voiced anti-vaccination and anti-government views while at work at the Dwyer Hill counter-terrorism training centre. Some of those anti-government views were directed specifically at Trudeau and have centred particularly on Liberal government gun control policies, they alleged. The sources said they decided to come forward because Canadian Special Operations Forces Command knew about the anti-government activities within some parts of JTF2 but had done little to counter it. A military investigation was launched but it is unclear what actions were taken, if any.

Defence Watch

by **Accer** Mon 18 Jul 2022, 1:13 pm

Canada has no way to track weapons donated to Ukraine despite concerns arms could end up on black market

The Canadian Forces confirmed it is not taking part in NATO discussions underway to try to deal with the potential issue of arms smuggling from Ukraine.

David Pugliese • Ottawa Citizen
Publishing date: Jul 18, 2022

Canada has no way to track the hundreds of millions of dollars of weapons it has donated to Ukraine despite growing concerns such arms could end up on the black market or in the hands of criminals.

The Canadian Forces confirmed it is not taking part in NATO discussions underway to try to deal with the potential issue of arms smuggling from Ukraine.

There are growing concerns that some of the weapons sent to Ukraine have been or will be diverted to the black market. NATO nations have donated billions of dollars of arms and military equipment to Ukraine since Russia invaded that country on Feb. 24.

Jurgen Stock, the head of Interpol, warned in June that after the war he expects some of the weapons delivered to Ukraine will end up in the hands of criminals in Europe and in other nations.

In April, the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation, noted that weapons are already being trafficked from Ukraine to organized crime groups.

On July 12, the Financial Times reported that a number of NATO member states are discussing with Ukraine’s government the development of some form of tracking system or detailed inventory lists for weapons supplied to the country. Officials noted that once weapons are shipped into Ukraine, NATO loses track of what they are used for or even if they remain in the country.

National Defence spokesman Dan Le Bouthillier confirmed that Canada is not taking part in the discussions at this time. “We are monitoring these developments with interest and will leave no stone unturned in our work to ensure the safe delivery and use of military aid,” he said.

Multiple defence sources tell this newspaper Canada has no idea about the whereabouts of the equipment it has provided to Ukraine as it does not actively monitor the distribution of the gear.

Canadian taxpayers have financed the donation of $500 million worth of weapons and other military equipment to Ukraine. That included anti-tank systems, .50-calibre sniper rifles equipped with silencers, 60-millimetre mortars, grenade launchers, pistols, C6 and C9 machine-guns, thermal-imaging binoculars, cameras, scopes and medical supplies. Donations also included ammunition, drone cameras and armoured vehicles.

During the Commons defence committee meeting in April, NDP MP Lindsay Mathyssen raised concerns that Canadian weapons already sent to Ukraine could fall into Russian hands or be sold on the black market. She noted that last year the Taliban seized stockpiles of U.S. weapons after the group overthrew the Afghan government.

At the time, Defence Minister Anita Anand said she couldn’t provide details about the weapons because of the need for operational security. But she added that Ukraine’s military did sign a declaration that weapons Canada provided wouldn’t be transferred to any other organization.

“We have been assured that our military aid is reaching Ukrainian soldiers,” Anand told journalists at a July 7 news conference.

But Canadian defence sources say without a tracking system in place and monitoring on the ground, there is no way to verify Ukraine’s claims.

Czech defence minister Jana Cernochova recently told journalists it is up to the countries donating weapons to Ukraine to track the equipment. But she acknowledged that is difficult. “It’s hard to avoid trafficking or smuggling. We didn’t achieve it in former Yugoslavia and probably won’t avoid it in Ukraine,” Cernochova said.

Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement agency, sent a briefing note in April to governments warning that Ukraine officials initially maintained a registry of firearms it had been distributing, but that practice was abandoned as the war progressed and weapons now are being provided without monitoring or records.

Yuriy Sak, an adviser to Ukraine’s defence minister, told the Financial Times that any movement of weaponry either into Ukraine or out of Ukraine is very closely monitored and supervised both by Ukraine and its allies. “Information that Ukraine is becoming a major hub for arms smuggling does not correspond to reality,” said Sak, adding that those claiming such “could be part of Russia’s information war to discourage international partners from providing Ukraine with weaponry that is necessary for our victory”.

He did not elaborate on what motives NATO, Europol or Interpol officials would have for being part of “Russia’s information war.”

Defence Watch

by **Forcell** Fri 16 Sep 2022, 11:59 am

As Ukraine war rages on, U.S. examines whether Canadian firms can replenish ammunition stockpiles

Industry representatives say Canada has some capability in the production of ammunition and explosives, but it is limited

David Pugliese • Ottawa Citizen
Publishing date: Sep 16, 2022

As the push continues to provide Ukraine with more weapons, the United States Army is looking to see whether Canadian companies can help build up artillery shell stock.

The U.S. Army recently issued a notice that it wants to gather information on firms in the U.S. and Canada to determine which might have the capabilities to help build 12,000 rounds of 155mm ammunition a month.

The U.S. has so far donated more than 800,000 rounds of 155mm ammunition to Ukraine.

But Ukraine has said it needs more artillery rounds to continue battling Russian forces. In addition, there is concern in U.S. defence circles that the donations of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine have seriously depleted the Pentagon’s own stockpiles.

The U.S. Army noted it is conducting “market research to identify potential sources within the United States and Canada that can Load, Assemble, and Pack (LAP) and deliver the 155mm M795 High Explosive (HE) Projectile.”

The research, at this point, is for planning purposes.

Defence firms in the U.S. have been swamped with new orders as the Pentagon sends supplies to Ukraine as well as rebuilds its own weapons stockpiles. It was announced this week the U.S. Army is spending more than $300 million for new Javelin anti-tank missiles, in part to replace the 1,800 such weapons sent to Ukraine.

Industry representatives say Canada has some capability in the production of ammunition and explosives, but it is limited. In May, Canada announced it was buying 20,000 artillery rounds to donate to Ukraine but those had to come from the U.S., industry officials noted.

The $98 million in ammunition has already been purchased and delivered, National Defence spokesperson Dan Le Bouthillier confirmed Thursday.

Canada is also still in the midst of discussions to purchase 100,000 artillery shells for Ukraine in a deal that could cost taxpayers several hundred million dollars.

Canadian officials have been talking with their counterparts in South Korea to acquire the 100,000 rounds of 155mm artillery ammunition. Canada would then donate that ammunition to Ukraine.

Ukraine is firing between 5,000 and 6,000 artillery rounds a day at Russian positions, its military officials say.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to give a keynote speech next week at a conference of the National Defense Industrial Association, calling for more weapons to be delivered to his country. The association represents 1,800 corporate and 66,200 individual members in the U.S. defence industry.

In Canada, Defence Minister Anita Anand and Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre have been pushing for more involvement of the defence industry in supplying weapons to Ukraine. Eyre has called on defence companies to go to a war-time production footing, a major move that could only be supported by significant federal spending.

But the Liberal government has noted it wants to focus federal funding on child care and housing programs. The Liberals are also facing pressure to spend more on health.

NATO nations have already shipped large amounts of weapons to Ukraine since the Feb. 24 invasion of that country by Russia.

Some view the war as an opportunity to either force regime change in Russia or seriously weaken that country militarily. U.S. defence secretary Lloyd Austin, a retired four-star U.S. general, said in April that with enough equipment Ukraine can defeat Russia. Austin told reporters the U.S. wants to see “Russia weakened to the degree that it can’t do the kinds of things that it has done in invading Ukraine.”

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has justified his invasion of Ukraine by claiming NATO was using the country to threaten Russia’s security. NATO denies Putin’s claims.

Besides artillery ammunition, Canada has already provided anti-tank systems, howitzers, armoured vehicles, grenades, small arms and drone cameras to Ukraine.

Defence Watch

by Gridlock Mon 26 Sep 2022, 7:08 pm

More problems emerge with new Canadian military machine-guns

“We continue to work closely with Colt Canada, who are covering all costs related to the repair of these issues."

David Pugliese • Ottawa Citizen
Publishing date: Sep 26, 2022

The Canadian military is dealing with additional problems affecting its brand new machine-guns being built by Colt Canada.

The weapons are part of a $120-million deal with the firm in Kitchener, Ont., to build new C6A1 general purpose machine-guns. But the guns, based on a proven design in service with militaries in more than 80 nations, have faced a series of problems with defective parts and other technical issues, this newspaper reported last year.

Additional problems have now been identified and repairs will be done over the coming months, confirmed National Defence spokesperson Dan Le Bouthillier. “We continue to work closely with Colt Canada, who are covering all costs related to the repair of these issues,” he said.

In August 2021, military sources alerted this newspaper to problems with the new C6 guns, which resulted in 342 defective weapons being returned to Colt Canada for repair.

But during the repairs on those weapons additional problems were found, Le Bouthillier said. He noted that a part called a feed channel was built slightly out of specification, causing some weapons to perform inadequately during live-firing testing. Colt Canada has now provided the Canadian Forces with new parts and military weapons technicians will conduct the repairs over the coming months, Le Bouthillier said.

A little more than 1,000 guns will need to be repaired.

In addition, a weapons technician at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa reported loose pins on seven of 18 newly delivered machine-guns, Le Bouthillier said. Colt Canada’s supplier “contained all defective material and they are now inspecting the assembly as part of their ongoing (quality assurance) processes,” he added.

Colt Canada did not respond to a request for comment.

In July 2017, then-defence minister Harjit Sajjan announced that the federal government would purchase 1,148 new C6A1 FLEX general purpose machine-guns from Colt Canada. The contract was worth $32 million. In January 2020, the Liberal government announced it was going to spend $97 million buying another batch of the C6A1s, some of which will be installed on armoured vehicles. In announcing the original contract, Sajjan said the new guns would improve the Canadian Army’s operational capability and would “help provide an advantage over potential adversaries.”

In total, the military has ordered 4,774 guns. So far, 3,331 guns have been delivered, of which 2,252 are in the field.

National Defence noted that both Canadian Army leaders and the defence department’s procurement chief, Troy Crosby, believe the contract with Colt is providing value for tax dollars despite the ongoing problems. That is because “these issues are being fixed at no additional cost,” the department noted.

Colt Canada’s Czech parent firm, the Ceska Zbrojovka Group (CZG), noted in a statement in August 2021 that “Colt Canada is working closely with the Government of Canada to address any technical issues identified with some of the machine-guns it has delivered to the Canadian Armed Forces.”

The C6 machine-gun is to be carried by soldiers and mounted on to some Canadian Forces vehicles. The new guns replace older C6s that were purchased more than 30 years ago.

First deliveries of the guns began in December 2020 with final deliveries expected in March 2024, which is a delayed date due to supply chain issues, Le Bouthillier said.

The contract for the new guns was awarded to Colt Canada without competition under a federal government program to support Canada’s ability to produce military small arms domestically. Colt Canada has been deemed the country’s Small Arms Strategic Source and Centre of Excellence by the federal government.

Defence Watch

by **Powergunner** Fri 07 Oct 2022, 4:45 pm

Canadian Forces selects Sig Sauer P320 as its new pistol

Author of the article: David Pugliese • Ottawa Citizen
Publishing date:Oct 07, 2022

The Canadian military will be getting new pistols to replace its Second World War-era handguns.

The Canadian government announced Friday a contract award valued at $3.2 million (USD) to provide the Canadian Army with new pistols and holsters. M.D. Charlton Co. Ltd. of Victoria, B.C., was awarded the contract to supply the Sig Sauer P320. The Canadian Forces has designated the gun as the C22.

The government will purchase an initial 7,000 pistols along with holsters for the Canadian Army. Additional options for up to 9,500 pistols will be available under the contract to cover off the remaining requirements for the army, Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Canadian Navy and military police. Pistol delivery is anticipated to begin in mid-2023.

The C22 is a 9mm pistol and will replace the military’s Browning Hi-Power handgun.

The contract will include the pistols, holster systems, spares, and operator and maintenance training. The potential contract value if all options are exercised is $7.6 million (US).

The Sig Sauer P320 is in use with multiple militaries around the world including Denmark, France, and the United States.

The Pentagon selected the P320 in 2017 and Sig Sauer is providing the U.S. military with 420,000 of those guns.

The Canadian military had been trying for years to replace its Browning Hi-Power gun as it is running out of parts for the weapons.

The acquisition project was stalled for years after small arms firms rejected in 2011 the federal government requirement that the new guns be built at Colt Canada in Kitchener, Ont. In addition, the companies balked at the stipulation they had to turn over their proprietary firearms information to Colt, a firm that some saw as a competitor.

The process was restarted but last year ran into issues when officials representing handgun manufacturer Glock filed a complaint with the Canadian International Trade Tribunal. They alleged the government-run competition favoured Glock’s rivals, Beretta and Sig Sauer.

The Canadian military has outlined what it needed in a new gun, but Glock’s Canadian representatives argued that some of those requirements weren’t necessary. Its complaint alleged the Canadian Forces solicitation required “certain design types which serve no legitimate operational requirement and favour certain bidders.”

As a result the competition was restarted.

Defence Watch

by Covert Thu 13 Oct 2022, 9:01 am

Canadian military to destroy Browning pistols, save some for museums

Last week the federal government announced that it will purchase for the Canadian military the Sig Sauer P320 handgun in a deal that could be worth more than $8 million.

David Pugliese • Ottawa Citizen
Publishing date: Oct 13, 2022

The Canadian Forces will destroy its remaining Browning pistols although it will save an unspecified number for museums and military displays.

Last week the federal government announced that it will purchase for the Canadian military the Sig Sauer P320 handgun in a deal that could be worth more than $8 million.

The new guns, the first to be delivered next year, would replace the 9mm Browning Hi-Power pistol that the Canadian military has been using for decades.

More than a million Browning Hi-Power pistols were manufactured since the Second World War and the gun has been used by dozens of militaries and police forces. New versions of the pistol are also being manufactured.

At this time the Canadian Forces has 11,896 Browning handguns in its inventory, National Defence spokesman Dan Le Bouthillier told this newspaper. Of those, 1,323 are non-functioning.

As the Browning 9mm pistol is currently in use, the details of a disposal plan still have to be worked out, Le Bouthillier explained. “However at this time it is anticipated that given the age and wear of the pistol fleet as well as the fact that the Browning is a restricted firearm and the magazine is a prohibited device, disposal will be through destruction by smelting,” he added.

He noted that some of the guns will be reserved for museums or military displays but the numbers are not known at this time.

The Liberal government has brought in an interim ban on handgun imports and has pushed legislation that would introduce a national freeze on the sale, transfer and ownership of handguns.

The Canadian military had been trying for years to replace its Browning Hi-Power gun as it is running out of parts for the weapons.

The Sig Sauer P320 is in use with multiple militaries around the world including Denmark, France and the United States. The Pentagon selected the P320 in 2017 and Sig Sauer is providing the U.S. military with 420,000 of those guns.

The replacement of the Browning follows the removal from service of another classic Canadian Forces weapon, the Lee Enfield. Those rifles had been used by Canadian Rangers in the far north but in 2015 the weapons were declared surplus after a new rifle was selected for the rangers.

Around 9,500 Lee Enfields were transferred to military cadets, mostly as non-functional rifles, for use in drills or training. Approximately 5,000 of the rifles were gifted to serving Canadian Rangers. The Lee Enfield is considered an excellent rifle for use in the far north. Another 50 rifles were offered to museums affiliated with the Canadian Forces or military units as display artifacts, Le Bouthillier said.

After that, around 1,500 Lee Enfields remained and were destroyed as the military ruled out sale of the surplus rifles to the general public.

Defence Watch

by Charlie Thu 12 Jan 2023, 11:33 am

Weapons makers say Ottawa is leaving them in the dark on its plans to aid Ukraine

Murray Brewster · CBC News · Posted: Jan 12, 2023

Weapons - Page 3 Ukraine-aid-canada-supplies-cfb-trenton

CBC News

by **Zoneforce** Mon 13 Feb 2023, 4:22 pm

More than $6 billion earmarked for F-35 weapons - cost separate from aircraft purchase

The funds will be for new advanced air-to-air missiles, still-to-be-determined weapons projects for the stealth fighters and maintenance of the weapons stockpiles.

David Pugliese • Ottawa Citizen

Published Feb 13, 2023

The Canadian government plans to spend more than $6 billion on new weapons for the stealth fighters it has ordered from the U.S.

The purchases are separate from the $19 billion the Liberal government has committed for buying 88 F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin.

The $6.3 billion will be for new advanced air-to-air missiles that would cover short, medium and long-ranges, according to National Defence. In addition, some of the money will be earmarked for new still-to-be-determined weapons projects for the stealth fighters. The budget also covers maintenance of the weapons stockpiles.

National Defence noted that some of the new weaponry could be used for the existing CF-18 fleet. But with the missile arsenal not expected to be fully in place until the early 2030s, the bulk of the weapons are earmarked for the F-35.

In addition, the U.S. and Canada are now in negotiations for a separate delivery of weapons that will be included with the first F-35s. That will involve short and medium-range missiles as well as smart bombs to be used against ground targets.

“Now that the contract for the acquisition of the F-35 has been finalized, discussions with the U.S. government are ongoing with regards to quantity and costs of associated weapons,” National Defence noted in a statement to this newspaper.

That purchase is included in the $19 billion overall budget for the planes.

Defence Minister Anita Anand announced Jan. 9 the Liberal government’s decision to purchase the F-35s. National Defence officials also confirmed the full life cycle cost for the F-35 project will eventually tally $70 billion.

Anand’s announcement marked the end of a decade-long process that first saw the Conservative government commit to buying the F-35 and then back away because of increasing costs and technical problems associated with the stealth jet.

During the 2015 election campaign, Justin Trudeau vowed his government would never purchase the F-35.

As prime minister, Trudeau continued to point out the Canadian military had no need for the F-35. But the Liberals have not only committed to the purchase but increased the number of jets from the 65 the Conservatives had wanted to buy to 88.

The Parliamentary Budget Officer is now working on providing an independent cost estimate of the Liberal’s F-35 deal. PBO Yves Giroux has said he expects the analysis to be ready sometime this spring.

In 2010 and 2011, National Defence officials fought PBO efforts to obtain information about the proposed F-35 purchase, withholding key data from the watchdog office. Then-PBO Kevin Page noted it appeared National Defence kept two sets of books on F-35 cost figures, one a low-ball figure for public consumption and another the real costs of the project. Those efforts misled parliament, he added.

In April 2012, the Auditor General of Canada produced a report that revealed National Defence officials kept politicians in the dark about F-35 cost and underestimated the project costs.

Despite the deception, no National Defence or Canadian Forces official was ever disciplined.

But the earlier attempts by National Defence to hide the costs of the F-35 were a public relations blow to the project, defence analysts have pointed out. After the auditor general’s report was released, the Conservative government put the acquisition on hold.

Analysts with close connections to the Canadian Forces and the defence industry have praised the Liberal’s decision to overturn its election promises and proceed with the purchase of the F-35.

But social justice and peace groups have argued against spending billions on the jets, saying the money could instead be funneled into health care, education and affordable housing.

Defence Minister Anand was in Washington last week for discussions with Pentagon officials on boosting co-operation with the U.S. military and American defence firms.

Anand highlighted Canada’s purchase of the F-35, pointing out its importance to U.S. suppliers as well as the support that can be provided by Canadian firms to the U.S.

Anand tweeted Feb. 9 that she was emphasizing the integration of the Canadian and U.S. defence industrial bases.

Defence Watch

by Cypher Fri 10 Mar 2023, 5:50 am

Ottawa to speed up weapons purchase for Canadian troops in Europe

By Lee Berthiaume . The Canadian Press
Posted March 9, 2023

Global News

by Monsfool Wed 10 Jan 2024, 11:19 am

Air force worried about keeping new maritime helicopters' weapons systems operational

DND searching for outside consultant to 'define' options for the future of the Cyclone fleet

Murray Brewster · CBC News · Posted: Jan 10, 2024

Weapons - Page 3 Helicopter-crash-2020623

CBC News

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