Government of Canada Provides New Technology to Royal Canadian Navy
News Release
For Immediate Release
March 15, 2016 — Victoria, British Columbia — Public Services and Procurement Canada
The Minister of Public Services and Procurement, Judy M. Foote, and the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, Kent Hehr, today announced $36 million of funding to Raytheon Canada Limited for the acquisition of up to 58 Naval Remote Weapon Stations.
The Government of Canada remains committed to building a better-equipped Canadian Armed Forces. Investments in technology will not only help protect our women and men in uniform, but will create good‑paying jobs, strengthen the middle class, and foster sustainable economic growth in communities across Canada.
The two contracts awarded to Raytheon Canada Limited will provide the Royal Canadian Navy with modern weaponry systems that defend against naval and aerial threats, including small boat and low-slow flyer threats in all conditions of visibility.
The new weapon stations will be installed on Canada’s existing fleet of Halifax-class modernized frigates, as well as on the future Queenston-class Joint Support Ships. The contracts awarded today will also ensure ongoing overhaul and maintenance of the equipment for an initial five years, and include two weapon stations for use in training at both the east and west coast fleet schools.
Quotes
“Canadians expect a procurement process that is open and transparent and that provides the overall best value. These contracts deliver on that promise while also helping ensure the safety and security of those who serve our country through the Canadian Armed Forces. Our goal is to equip the Navy and the Coast Guard with much‑needed vessels, to help create a sustainable Canadian marine sector, and to generate jobs and economic benefits for communities across Canada.”
The Honourable Judy M. Foote
Minister of Public Services and Procurement
“The Government of Canada is committed to building a more agile, better-equipped Canadian Armed Forces. This new capability increases the safety of the brave women and men of our Royal Canadian Navy as they continue to defend Canadian waters and participate in international missions.”
The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan
Minister of National Defence
“The Government is committed to ensuring the Royal Canadian Navy has the equipment it needs. These contracts will create jobs for Canadians and deliver modern weaponry systems needed by the brave men and women of our Royal Canadian Navy so that they can continue to defend themselves safely against naval and aerial threats.”
The Honourable Kent Hehr
Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
“Canada needs a fleet that is both capable and flexible, one that will enable us to defend the country’s maritime interests here at home and around the world. Part of that force capability includes the inherent need to protect our ships and sailors from the threats they may encounter in any operational setting. The acquisition of this remotely operated weapon system will enhance the Navy’s close-in force protection capability, while also providing enhanced personal protection to the crew operating these systems.”
Vice-Admiral Mark Norman
Commander, Royal Canadian Navy
“Raytheon Canada Limited recognizes the benefits to both industry and the end user for using the two-step bid evaluation process. It allows for fair, open and transparent dialogue throughout the bid process. We commend Public Services and Procurement Canada on this positive change to the bid evaluation process.”
Terry Manion
Vice President and General Manager, Raytheon Canada Limited
Quick Facts
- The weapon stations currently on board the fleet of Halifax-class modernized frigates are not remotely operated and require gun operators to be outside on the ship deck operating the guns.
- With these new Naval Remote Weapon Stations, operators will now be able to remotely observe and locate targets under various environmental conditions (day or night, rain, snow, smoke, dust/sand, haze, fog and various sea/air temperature, as well as other conditions affecting visibility) from a separate compartment on board the ship, which will increase the safety and protection of the ship’s crew.
- The Naval Remote Weapon Stations contracts are aligned with the Defence Procurement Strategy, which aims to leverage military spending to create highly skilled jobs and drive economic growth across the Canadian economy.
- In an effort to modernize Government of Canada procurement practices, a two-step bid evaluation process was used to assess suppliers’ bids for the Naval Remote Weapon Stations competition. This process gives bidders the chance to fix minor errors or omissions that would have seen their bids rejected under the regular process. Public Services and Procurement Canada is committed to simplifying how suppliers do business with the Government of Canada by modernizing and improving its procurement practices.
- The delivery of the Naval Remote Weapon Stations is expected to begin in August 2017.
- These contracts will help create and maintain up to 23 jobs in Canada.
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Contacts
Annie Trépanier
Office of the Honourable Judy M. Foote
819-997-5421
Media Relations
Public Services and Procurement Canada
819-420-5501
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-996-2353
Toll-free: 1-866-377-0811
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
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