This Week in Defence (7/7/25): 500,000 man military?, Polar Helicopters, Spending Limits, Restructuring

And huge congrats to LGen Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, MGen Denis O’Reilly, Rear-Admiral Dave Mazur, and Capt. Samuel Patchell on all their new positions! We will miss you Dave!

Happy Monday everyone. Today is a big one, full of big rumors and lots of change. I was hoping for a quiet summer, but it doesnt look like we'll be getting that.

I do wanna take some time to remind people that at this time there is a lot of info flying. Let's take some time to relax before we start speculating and reacting! Im working hard to get info, which hopefully will be coming in the next week or two.

Anyways, to the news!

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News

• On Thursday we will have the Change of Command ceremony for LGen Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, who will take over as Commander of the RCAF from retiring LGen Kenny, whom I wish many restful and adventurous days. Lieutenant-General Speiser-Blanchet has served as Deputy Commander of the RCAF since 2023, a role that will be taken over by MGen Denis O’Reilly.

• Congratulations also to new Rear-Admiral Dave Mazur, who will be moving on from his position as Commander of Canada’s Pacific fleet to take on the role as Vice-Commander of the U.S. Second Fleet. He will be replaced by Capt. Samuel Patchell. On a personal note, Mazur has always been a very passionate and outgoing voice for the Navy, and while I am sad to see him go I can think of no one who deserves this opportunity more.

• Ex-fighter jet pilot Stephen Fuhr is on a mission to change how we arm the military

• Feds tighten grip on consultant contracts with new procurement rules, $20M cap on time-based work

• "Ceros" gives name to the military base "Camp Labrie" of the Canadian-led NATO multinational brigade

• HMCS William Hall returns to Halifax following successful Operation CARIBBE deployment

• An absolutely wonderful look at Dehavillands current efforts to get the 515 up and going, as well as a snapshot in to what's going on now. What a thrilling revival for such a storied company.

• It’s official: Canadian North sale to Exchange Income Corp approved

• Bombardier secures US$1.7 billion aircraft order with service deal

• Airbus Defence and Space implements new organisation to shape division’s future competitiveness

• Canada and UK partner to build a stronger semiconductor supply chain

• Exercise Trident Fury 2025 concludes after completing multinational training off the coast of Vancouver Island

• Canada’s first A330 arrives in Spain for MRTT conversion

• Bombardier inaugurates Innovation and Design Centre

• Corner Brook Chronicles: From dream to reality — Commander Éric Isabelle

• Department of National Defence Modernizes Travel Management System

• Non-Article 5 NATO Vigilance Medal Approved and Accepted

• Treasure Board Approves Assistance for Military Duty Absence (AMDA)

• More soldiers, more money. Canada’s top soldier extols benefits of spending boost

• To up defence spending, Canada must cut deeper, tax harder and borrow more – all at once

• Army investigating members allegedly involved in 'abhorrent' Facebook group, Canada's top soldier says

• Petawawa to add 100 jobs, 600-plus troops

• No changing of the guard at Rideau Hall this summer

• Minister Anand to travel to Japan and Malaysia to strengthen Indo-Pacific partnerships

• Memorial University expands support for Canadian Armed Forces members

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Project Updates

• The Tactical Communications Modernization Project RFI has been updated with new Q&A

• There has been a reissue of the Request For Identification regarding HVAC systems for the future Mid-Shore Multi-Mission vessels

• A new Challenge Notice under the Innovative Solutions Canada Program (ISC) has been released related to Acoustic Detection/Classification/Localization/Tracking (DCLT) in a harbour environment

• The RFP for the Ground Based Optical (GBO) Capability has been updated with new documentation

• New documentation related to the procurement of Light Over Snow Vehicles - Deep Snow and Utility has been released

• New Q&A have been released for the Coast Guards Polar Helicopter Project

• New documentation has been released for the RCMP Air Fleet Renewal and Modernization Initiative

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Lobbying Updates

• Irving Shipyards has filed a new record with NorthStar Public Affairs Inc looking to engage the government on ongoing work related to the National Shipbuilding Strategy

• Voyageur Aviation Corp has filed a new record with Edelman looking to engage on ongoing opportunities regarding aircraft maintenance and integration

• JATOM Sytems has filed a new record with Edelman looking to engage on potential procurement opportunities

• Marble Aerospace Limited has filed a new record with CFN Consultants (Atlantic) Inc looking to promote their Unmanned Aerial Systems for Maritime operations.

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Rumors & Speculation

• The restructuring plans for the Army were officially approved by Army Council. I have received many emails about ongoing rumors and speculation regarding these changes. So let me address some of them. The information I've seen confirms plans for a 100,000 man Primary Reserve and a 300,000 man Augmented Reserve.

• The Augmented Reserve would be comprised of people with ready skills and trades that would be available for service in the event of mobilization. They would still go through BMQ, but would be generally released back to civilian life save for a week-long refresher course every year.

• I dont know where the Supplementary Reserve factor into this, and whether it would be folded in. I am working on gathering info.

• The army would still be focused on creating a deployable division. The plan is for a regular force of 120,000 from what I saw. All of this would be for the 2040 period. Obviously this is a big rumor, so take it with a lot of salt. I wont comment till I know more.

• As for pay, I have heard little. There are changes coming. There are new incentives in the pipelines for instructors, but I dont know what. There's plans to remove Remove restrictions on Class B contracts as well as expand 3-year contracts for Class B Service Battalions.

• Topshee kinda broke my story, but the RCN has been testing out the Hammerhead USV as a platform for various different tasks. They have previously used them in the last year to deploy Sonobuoys as a supplement to thr Cyclones and now have tested them in an offensive capacity as a suicide platform. I can also confirm that further tests amd concepts are underway. This will play a big role in preparing the RCN for future unmanned operations on the River-class and CDC, as well as provide some needed experience.

• Expect for a lot of platforms to get some new numbers. Lots of rumors floating that there will be a mass execution of purchase options for incoming platforms. This included ACSV, LVM, and ERC.

• For something that will excite many. I have finally heard that there are serious discussions on raising spending limits on things like MCE.