For Immediate Release
October 24, 2014 – Ottawa, Ont. – Public Works and Government Services Canada
Today, the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, the Honourable John Baird, Member of Parliament for Ottawa West-Nepean, and the Honourable Pierre Poilievre, Minister of State (Democratic Reform) and Member of Parliament for Nepean-Carleton, announced the awarding of a $137.8-million contract to General Dynamics Canada of Ottawa for upgrades to the Canadian Armed Forces’ combat net radios and vehicle interface units. This contract will ensure that more than 150 skilled workers remain on the job (65 jobs in Calgary, 85 jobs in Ottawa and additional jobs in Cornwall).
Combat net radios are used in all armoured vehicles and personnel carriers for transmitting and receiving tactical voice and data communications on all army operations and training missions. Vehicle interface units are amplifiers that boost the signal from the radio, thereby increasing their communication range.
The Harper Government is committed to creating jobs and economic growth, and to leveraging the economic benefits of contracts like this one through the Industrial and Regional Benefits Policy. This policy ensures that companies awarded defence and security contracts conduct high-quality and advanced technology business activities in Canada, equal to contract value.
This contract is another example of the Government of Canada’s commitment to the Canadian Armed Forces, while supporting Canadian manufacturing, skills, ingenuity and jobs.
Quick Facts
The contract is for the upgrade of 11,060 combat net radios and 6,800 vehicle interface units, over a three-year period ending in March 2017.
The product design and development will be done in Calgary, while upgraded radios will be produced in Ottawa. Some subcontracted work will be completed in Cornwall.
The upgrades will include the replacement of cryptographic and data transmission modules in each radio, as well as modifications to the vehicle interface unit. This work will allow the radio to function securely at today’s needed data capacity. The data processing module within the combat net radio, initially purchased in 1991, lacks sufficient capacity to exchange the volume of data required today and in the future.
The combat net radio and the vehicle interface unit are components of a highly integrated tactical system that supports army‑wide command and control. It forms a part of every platform-based army weapon system and is made up of numerous hardware, firmware and software elements.
Quotes
“The Harper Government is committed to ensuring that our men and women in uniform have the equipment that they need to protect Canadians at home and abroad. This is good news for our Canadian Armed Forces, for Canadian workers and for the Canadian economy. This contract will help support more than 150 jobs right here in Canada.”
The Honourable Diane Finley
Minister of Public Works and Government Services
“Communication in the field has always been a key capability for the Canadian Armed Forces. This investment demonstrates the government’s commitment to providing our men and women in uniform with the tools they need to do their job at home and abroad.”
The Honourable Rob Nicholson
Minister of National Defence
“Our Government remains focused on what matters to Canadians—jobs, economic growth, and long-term prosperity. Investments, like this one, support our local economy and ensure that our men and women in uniform have the equipment they need to do the jobs we ask of them.”
The Honourable John Baird
Member of Parliament for Ottawa West-Nepean
“I am proud of the vital investments from our Conservative government to help modernize and better equip the men and women who fight to protect our country. This contract will not only benefit our troops, but it will also help support the local economy.”
The Honourable Pierre Poilievre
Minister of State (Democratic Reform) and Member of Parliament for Nepean-Carleton
Associated Links
Land Command Support System
Land Command Support System Life Extension (LCSS LE) Project
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Contacts
Marcel Poulin
Office of the Honourable Diane Finley
819-997-5421
Media Relations
Public Works and Government Services Canada
819-956-2315
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Source:: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=896579
