Canada authorises urgent operational requirement acquisition of C-UAS/air defence systems

Canada’s Minister of National Defence, Bill Blair, announced on 15 February that Canadian forces deployed to NATO’s Canadian-led Battle Group in Latvia will shortly have the benefit of two new defensive capabilities, currently being procured on an urgent basis.

Saab Canada has been contracted to provide the RBS70 SHORADS under a CAD 227.5 million contract, with initial deliveries to take place next year. The system will provide an air defence capability to counter a wide variety of airborne threats, including UAS. In addition, new counter-drone equipment is being procured under separate contracts totalling CAD 46 million, enabling the detection, identification, tracking and defeat of Class I UAS. To be delivered under the Canadian Armed Forces’ Phase I Counter-UAS Project, the procurement includes: ORION-H9 dismounted directional systems (TRD Systems, Singapore, CAD 2 million); BEAM 3.0 omni-directional systems (CACI, USA, CAD 19 million); Falcon Shield fixed site systems (Leonardo UK Ltd, CAD 25 million).

The move follows other commitments made recently by Canada in support of NATO’s aims. Royal Canadian Air Force helicopters will be deployed to the Battle Group from this summer and a squadron of 15 Leopard 2A4M main battle tanks was recently deployed to Latvia. The nation is also more than doubling the number of troops committed to the eFP Latvia Brigade, to 2,200.

“Canada’s support for the NATO alliance is steadfast. By investing in air defence and anti-drone capabilities for Canadian troops, we are also bolstering the defensive capabilities of the NATO Battle Group in Latvia as a whole. Through our leadership of the Battle Group in Latvia and our many other contributions to NATO – including our current participation in Exercise Steadfast Defender – Canada will continue to work with our Allies to strengthen Euro-Atlantic security,” said Blair.