Canada’s aerospace sector is strong and well-positioned to lead global growth and innovation over generations, if well fueled by private partners, public partners and partners. of the world of education.
However, as experts in this field of study and independent observers, we are concerned that the Government of Canada is taking actions that would inevitably disadvantage the domestic aerospace industry. All Canadians should be concerned because when the Canadian aerospace industry prospers, the entire Canadian economy benefits.
The Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft (CMA) project, which aims to replace the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) fleet of CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft, is expected to be a transgenerational opportunity for Canadian aeronautical companies to participate in a process of open, transparent and competitive tender. If a Canadian company were to be selected on its merits, it would generate multiple direct benefits for Canadian industry, for Canadian workers as well as for Canadian research and development (R&D) activities.
Instead, our federal government appears poised to award a sole-source contract directly to an international company. Such a decision would deprive Canada’s OEMs, manufacturers and service providers of the opportunity to compete to provide our Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) with the next generation of multi-mission aircraft and mission system innovations that will set a new benchmark in global defense and security.
We understand that military purchases are generally complex and cumbersome. We understand that the CAF urgently needs resources, talent and equipment to adequately protect and defend Canadian sovereign interests in the Arctic and act alongside our allies internationally.
The AMC project is not a Canadian military acquisition procedure like any other. It is not like shipbuilding where national capabilities had to be recreated. Nor is it like fighter jets for which there has been no domestic capability since the cancellation of the Avro Arrow program in 1959.
Canada already has the domestic capacity to locally produce modern, sustainable multi-mission and maritime patrol aircraft and superior C4ISR surveillance technologies.
In fact, the Government of Canada has already invested billions of dollars in Canadian-made C4ISR systems, the same systems that are being integrated into Canada’s current fleet of Aurora aircraft. Of all the military purchases required over the coming decades, the AMC program is the program best aligned with existing forces in Canada. We believe Canadian businesses deserve the chance to showcase a truly “Made in Canada” AMC solution.
A “made in Canada” solution that not only exceeds the needs of the RCAF for decades to come, but also generates significant export opportunities to meet the needs of many global partners also seeking next-generation multi-mission aircraft.
It is not too late to turn back, not to be limited to a single source within the framework of the AMC project and to allow Canadian leaders in aeronautics and defense to present a new generation multi-mission aircraft credible and lasting which will become a symbol of Canadian ingenuity and excellence. We call on our federal government partners not to miss this once-in-a-generation opportunity and to engage in a competitive tender process. The Canadian aeronautical industry deserves it.
