The Chief of Defence Staff of Canada participates in meetings of the Military Committee of NATO

The General Tom Lawson, Chief of Defence Staff, participated for the first time last week with NATO counterparts at a meeting of NATO's Military Committee in Brussels, Belgium. The meeting allowed the leaders of the defense of allies and NATO partners to discuss a number of important issues relating to the alliance.

"" This meeting of the Military Committee has been for me an excellent opportunity to meet colleagues from NATO, many for the first time since my appointment as Chief of Defence Staff of Canada. Our discussions were productive and instructive. We've covered a number of complex issues, ranging from NATO missions in Afghanistan and Kosovo until NATO transformation in progress "," Lawson said General . "" It is essential to maintain these important relationships and continue to work with our allies and NATO partners. I hope to have the opportunity to work with them in the years to come "."

The conference focused on the ongoing transformation and reform efforts of NATO, updates on current operations of NATO and the strengthening of relations with NATO military partners. Were also present at the meeting Admiral James Stavridis, Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, General Jean-Paul Paloméros, Supreme Allied Commander - Transformation and General John R. Allen, commander of NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) of NATO.

A Standard Military Pattern Vehicle for the Canadian Army? It Will Take A While.

The Conservative government’s program to buy new trucks for the army, originally announced in 2006, is being rebooted. One problem however. No one involved in the process can say when such vehicles may be delivered.

Industry officials with meet with government representatives in one on one meetings scheduled to take place Jan. 17 to 20 (this Thursday to Sunday….are they actually going to meet Saturday and Sunday?) to discuss the proposed purchase of the Standard Military Pattern vehicles.

The trucks were originally supposed to be delivered in 2008. The project was considered a priority because the vehicles they are to replace have become a safety hazard, with faulty brakes and excessive rust.

The program has been stalled for years. Some in industry figure it won’t be until 2018 before the trucks are delivered to the army. After all a request for proposals has yet to be issued.

As I reported in the Citizen, one industry rep who has watched this program for almost a decade now (it was around in 2003-2004) said the standard military pattern (SMP) truck project should be renamed “FUBAR” a popular military acronym to identify something that is screwed up beyond recognition.

Here is the official Public Works response on the SMP sent to Defence Watch:

“The Government of Canada remains committed to consulting with industry when developing documentation for Requests for Proposals. This helps to create an efficient procurement approach to properly meet the needs of our client department in order to procure the much needed equipment for the Canadian Army. The main objective of the industry consultation process is to validate with industry certain aspects of the Standard Military Pattern vehicles acquisition and provide industry an opportunity to meet with Government representatives to discuss their views. Their comments will be taken into consideration.

The Canadian military satellite launch postponed again Sapphire

The launch of several major Canadian satellite has been delayed again. Originally scheduled for 12-12-12, December 12, 2012, then postponed to January 12, 2013, the launch has now been postponed to mid-February, announced the Indian Space Research Organization, ISRO, responsible launch.

During a test "thermal vacuum", a problem occurred with the primary payload for this launch, the Franco-Indian satellite SARAL. Canadian satellites are part of them as a secondary payload.

The Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced on October 18 that the first Canadian military satellite would be launched in December Sapphire from India. With nearly four years behind the original schedule, the launcher Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle should be done in the C20 flight December 12, 2012, before it was postponed twice.

On board PSLV-C20 must carry four Canadian satellites: CanX-3A and-3B CanX, NEOSSat and Sapphire built by the Toronto Institute of Aerospace Research Laboratory for Space Studies. CanX-3A and-3B CanX mission will observe the biggest stars and brightest in the sky.

Built by Microsat Systems Canada Inc., Meanwhile NEOSSat be the world's first space telescope to detect and track asteroids and satellites.

Canada's F-35 program problems multiply

Canada's problems with its planned purchase of F-35 Lightning Joint Strike Fighter aircraft seem to be multiplying, with the latest controversy surrounding the jets' capacity for in-flight refueling.

With Canada's confirmation of the planned multibillion-dollar purchase still months away, and continuing uncertainty over the numbers Ottawa may eventually buy, questions are being raised about how the F-35 Joint Strike Fighters will refuel when deployed by the Canadian air force.

The outlook for the refueling dilemma remains unclear. Ottawa says it is studying all options for F-35 air-to-air refueling capability.

Defense News said on its website Canada will rely on either private companies or its allies for in-flight refueling if it decides to purchase the F-35s to replace CF-18 fighter aircraft. There was no independent confirmation of the report.

Critics, including Canada's Liberal opposition members of Parliament, say if the outsourcing does occur that will pit Canada against embarrassing issues of national sovereignty, especially if the air force is forced to request refueling assistance from other allied forces.

But critics and analysts say the decision raises key issues about Canadian sovereignty and military capabilities.

A recent independent audit of the government's plans to buy F-35s revealed that current estimates for the planned purchase had no provision for modifying the F-35s so that they could be refueled in flight by Canadian air force jets, Defense News and Canadian media said.

The alternatives being faced by the Canadian military include refueling through a private agency or refueling by a friendly government's aircraft.

In either case, the costs for Canada will be multiple and complex. Not only are Ministry of Defense plans silent on the actual cost of refueling the jet fighters but they also don't consider the diplomatic and political implications of expecting other nations' aircraft to refuel the F-35s after a multibillion-dollar purchase and deployment of the aircraft.

Defence: Canada near launch a tender to replace its fighter jets

Ottawa will ask five American and European combat aircraft to make proposals to replace its old CF-18. The Department of Public Works wrote to Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Dassault Aviation (Rafale), EADS (Eurofighter) and Saab (Gripen).

Canada will he really abandon the American fighter F-35? This decision if confirmed, would be a huge blow to Lockheed Martin, which manufactures the F-35 and the United States. According to the Canadian Press, the Canadian federal government will ask five American and European combat aircraft to make proposals to renew its fleet of aging CF-18, to be replaced since 2003 but were extended to from 2017 to 2020. The Department of Public Works wrote to Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Dassault Aviation (Rafale), EADS (Eurofighter) and Saab (Gripen) to announce that the Canadian government would soon reach them.But to be open to other proposals not prohibited in Canada may maintain its preference for the F-35. The forthcoming decision will depend on the future needs of the Air Force who have not yet been defined, according to officials in Ottawa.

High bills

The Harper government had set his sights on the fighter F-35 Lockheed Martin without evaluating other devices. However, it has been criticized in a report of the Auditor General released in spring 2012 on the basis of an audit conducted by KPMG, a purchasing process without tender. Cost overruns on initial projections were finally forced Ottawa to rectify the situation. The cost of the F-35 has increased from $ 25 billion to nearly $ 46 billion for 65 aircraft. The government should have to pay this bill for 42 years. Twice the originally envisaged for a period of 20 years. When the government announced its intention to purchase 65 F-35 fighter in 2010, the purchase price was valued at $ 9 billion, plus $ 16 billion in maintenance costs.The estimate of 46 billion includes 11,700 hours of flight per year - 20% less than the time of flight of CF-18 - and includes pilot training.

"A full review of our options"

Mid-December, Canada had opened the door to the possibility of choosing for its air force fighter aircraft other than F-35 stealth U.S. due to the marked increase in the cost of the latter. Ottawa, however, did not specify what other devices could replace its aging fleet of CF-18, or when he would take the final decision.The proposed contract with Lockheed Martin - the largest military procurement in Canada's history - has been criticized by the opposition as for its cost and for its lack of transparency and the fact that it was adopted by the Conservative government without tender. "The next step will be a complete review of our options," he said simply Intergovernmental Relations Minister Rona Ambrose.