Procurement

Bombardier gets federal exemption from sanctions on Russian titanium

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Bombardier is now the second large Canadian corporation known to have been granted an exemption from federal government sanctions on Russian titanium. The Montreal-based aircraft manufacturer, along with its European partner Airbus, can continue to use parts containing titanium produced by Russia’s VSMPO-AVISMA, based in Verkhnyaya Salda. During a conference call Thursday with reporters following the release of Bombardier’s quarterly results, CEO … Read more

India looks beyond Russia for defense imports – POLITICO

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“How come the Patriots took down the Kinzhal missiles that were touted as invincible? How come Russian ships are becoming such easy targets from a country that doesn’t have a navy? Its spy planes such as A-50s, and fighter jets such as Sukhois have been downed so effectively,” Rao told POLITICO. India’s air force has … Read more

European prosecutors take over Belgian probe into Pfizergate – POLITICO

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Transparency campaigners and some political opponents have sought to put pressure on the Commission to discuss the case, but von der Leyen has so far avoided addressing it. In a reply to a direct question put to her by POLITICO about missing text messages, von der Leyen said: “Everything necessary about that has been said … Read more

Macron charms Brazil’s Lula with non-alignment pitch and submarines – POLITICO

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The Tonelero is the third of four conventionally-propelled submarines agreed in a $10 billion deal signed by former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Lula in 2008. That pact also included building a nuclear-powered submarine, the Álvaro Alberto, which has seen delays and disagreements over the transfer of nuclear technology. Macron said he wanted to open … Read more

Heed our words, not our actions – POLITICO

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He also urged the Biden administration to send longer-range artillery and accelerate F-16 fighter jet training for the Ukrainians — a call the White House can’t answer until the blocked supplemental bill is passed. “It is clear Ukrainians appreciate the United States’ support. I know Americans want to help our friends and allies, but I … Read more

The truth behind the EU’s new €5B weapons fund for Kyiv – POLITICO

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The end result will still mean billions of euros worth of weapons are sent to Ukraine — some of them directly by donors, whereas if countries give less they’ll have to actually pay into the fund. Bilateral arms shipments to Ukraine will be discounted from cash contributions to the fund at a level of around … Read more

Czech Republic backtracks on finding cash to buy 800,000 shells for Ukraine – POLITICO

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Prague is leading an initiative to purchase 500,000 155 mm and 300,000 122 mm caliber artillery shells for Kyiv. Overall, 18 countries have agreed to finance the purchases within the Czech-led initiative. While some governments — including from Norway, Belgium and the Netherlands — have announced actual financial commitments, others, such as France and Germany, haven’t provided exact figures. … Read more

Czechs raise funds to buy 800,000 artillery shells for Ukraine – POLITICO

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During the Munich Security Conference in February, Pavel announced the Czechs had figured out a way to purchase 500,000 155 mm and 300,000 122 mm caliber artillery shells for Ukraine from producers outside the EU.  The shells can be delivered within weeks if the funding is there, Pavel said. Since then, Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, … Read more

Public servant’s company received more than $200M in government contracts since 2015

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An IT firm run by a defence department employee has been awarded millions of dollars in government contracts since 2015. Dalian Enterprise has come in for scrutiny recently over its involvement in the development of the ArriveCan app. The company had received $7.9 million for its work on the project as of last March, according … Read more

What we need is a European armament commissioner – POLITICO

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The vaccine procurement program is often cited as a possible example for this. During the Covid-19 pandemic, EU member countries ceded sovereignty to the Commission for the purchase of vaccines. The Commission was then given a budget and tasked with procurement, which enabled the EU to secure vaccines quickly, in large quantities and to distribute … Read more