CARLETON PLACE, Ont. – The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Associate Minister of National Defence, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) (La Francophonie) and Member of Parliament for Madawaska-Restigouche, joined by Mr. Scott Reid, Member of Parliament for Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington, today announced a significant support contract for the Canadian Armed Forces’ tactical vehicle network.
DRS Technologies Canada Ltd. has been awarded this $38.7 million contract for the Land Command Support System which will sustain and create close to 70 jobs in Ontario and Quebec.
“This contract will ensure that our men and women in uniform have a secure and effective means to communicate in theatre, at the same time as stimulating economic growth across the country,” said Minister Valcourt. “By streamlining numerous Army-wide command and control, communications and computing systems through one highly advanced tactical system, the Land Command Support System helps the Canadian Army win battles and helps save soldiers’ lives.”
“Today’s announcement is welcome news,” said Mr. Reid. “Our Government is delivering on its Canada First Defence Strategy by giving our Canadian Armed Forces the tools they need, while benefitting Canadian industry.”
The Land Command Support System acts as the central nervous system of the deployed force, relaying important information between the battlefield, commanders at headquarters and troops on patrol. It also possesses the communications, network and computing devices, and software applications and tools to effectively coordinate and conduct operations.
“This announcement is good news for our Canadian Armed Forces, for Canadian workers, and for the Canadian economy,” said the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women. “This contract will help to sustain and create nearly 70 jobs in the National Capital Region and the province of Quebec. In turn, this work will help to protect our women and men in uniform in land combat vehicles.”
The three-year competitive contract award is for the manufacturing of 13,624 Communication Selector Boxes and 4,937 Power Distribution Units - Small Form Factor. The contract also includes the option of two one-year periods to manufacture additional units.
Launched in 2010, the Land Command Support System Life Extension Project aims to enhance the capability of the current system through the manufacture of Communication Selector Boxes and Power Distribution Units - Small Form Factor. These components are key elements of the vehicle-based network and will provide additional functionality to the majority of Army combat vehicles.
“This contract promotes our industry on the global stage and provides Canadian companies with high quality business opportunities and access to international value chains,” said the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry. “Through the application of the Industrial and Regional Benefits policy we are leveraging our defence procurements into sustainable economic benefits all across the country”
Thanks to the Canadian industrial and regional benefits policy, 100 per cent of this contract will result in direct and indirect business activity in Canada, thereby ensuring a dollar-for-dollar investment in the Canadian economy.
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