Replacement of CP-140 | A pan-Canadian common front calls for a call for tenders

A pan-Canadian common front, including Bombardier and other Quebec companies, is challenging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the issue of replacing surveillance planes. The absence of a call for tenders “would unnecessarily slow down” the technological advances developed here, they plead in a letter obtained by The Press.

In their missive, these 16 signatories do not hide their concern that this billion dollar contract to replace the aging Aurora CP-140s of the Royal Canadian Air Force will be awarded by mutual agreement. Everything indicates that Boeing would win the agreement.

“This will unnecessarily hamper growth and innovation in the Canadian aerospace and defense sectors, which are renowned around the world,” they write, calling in passing for a meeting with Mr. Trudeau.

In addition to Bombardier, the Canadian subsidiary of General Dynamics – which has decided to team up with the Quebec multinational in this file – is among the signatories. In addition to the aircraft manufacturer, we find the names of six other Quebec companies at the bottom of the letter: DCM Group, On Board Data Systems, Atlas Aeronautik, Kinnear Rembourrage, Plastiques Flexibulb and Les Industries Sidtor. The others are based in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador.

These companies are part of the Canadian aerospace and defense supply chain. The pan-Canadian common front is not directly attacking Boeing, but rather the Trudeau government’s lack of commitment to opt for a call for tenders to replace the old CP-140s.

political contest

The replacement of the CP-140s, a potential contract of 9 billion, took a political turn. The Ministry of Defense favors Boeing’s Poseidon P-8A – which is similar to the family of commercial aircraft 737 and can launch torpedoes – identified as the only device that can meet Canadian requirements.

Bombardier, which wants to increase its exposure to the military sector, is calling for a tender for a chance to promote a modified version of the Global 6500 private jet.

This business jet would be equipped with General Dynamics systems and would have the ability to carry out surveillance and anti-submarine warfare missions by launching torpedoes.

“An open tender for various proposals would be an opportunity for Canada to rethink its surveillance capabilities,” argues the letter. Canadian-built solutions should, and must, be considered on an equal footing with those built abroad. »

It is not only Mr. Trudeau who is challenged by this common front. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and her colleagues Anita Anand (National Defence), François-Philippe Champagne (Innovation, Science and Industry) and Helena Jaczek (Public Services and Procurement) are also targeted.

Fallout Race

In the defense sector, Bombardier already counts among its customers countries such as the United States and Germany, which have turned to its products for surveillance missions. Its Global aircraft are assembled in Ontario and converted in Wichita, Kansas.

The Boeing Poseidon is assembled in the United States, but companies rooted in the Canadian market, such as CAE, GE Aviation Canada and Pratt & Whitney Canada, are suppliers of this military aircraft.

The American aircraft manufacturer has already hinted that it could cease production of the P-8A after 2025 if it does not obtain enough new orders.

There are still questions surrounding the partnership announced by Bombardier and General Dynamics, owner of Gulfstream – a rival of the Quebec company in the business aviation niche. We do not know the amount of the invoice to develop a version of the Global 6500 which would be able to perform the same task as the CP-140.

The two partners will say more on May 31 at the CANSEC military fair, the defense sector meeting held annually in Ottawa.