OTTAWA -- Canada may finally be moving forward with a competition to procure a new fleet of armed medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles. Royal Canadian Air Force commander Lt.-Gen. Al Meinzinger told the Canadian Press that a request for proposals is expected to be released in the fall. The competition could be worth up to CAD5 billion ($4.1 billion). The number of drones the military wants to buy and where they will be based is still in the works.
The new aircraft are being acquired through the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) project, previously known as the Joint Unmanned Surveillance and Targeting Acquisition System (JUSTAS) project.
The Canadian government has been in discussions with a pair of manufacturing teams in pursuit of this acquisition. General Atomics has teamed with CAE Canada, MDA, and L3 Wescam to offer the MQ-9B SkyGuardian. L3 MAS is working with Israel Aerospace Industries to bid the Artemis unmanned aircraft system, which is based on IAI's Heron TP.
A contract is anticipated in fiscal year 2022/2023, barring any delays. Deliveries could begin in 2024/2025.
An RFP will represent a major step forward in fulfilling a requirement that surfaced two decades ago.
Source: Forecast International - International Military Markets
Associated URL:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-canada-inching-closer-to-purchase-of-armed-drones-for-military/
Author: s. mcDougall, Defense Analyst
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