Representatives from various Canadian government departments such as the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Commercial Corporation were among those who participated, listening to presentations by both Swedish and Canadian companies engaged in the defence industry and taking the opportunity to “network” after. Welcomed by Her Excellency Mrs. Ingrid Iremark, the Ambassador of Sweden to Canada, the audience heard first from Major General Per Lodin, the Director for Strategic Planning and Development. He was followed by Dan Ross, Assistant Deputy Minister Material at DND, who took them through a history of recent and future Canadian military projects, ranging from Fixed Wing Search and Rescue to Future Land Combat Systems. With his extensive experience in procurement, information management and strategic planning gained while Deputy Minister of the Operations Branch of Public Works, Deputy to the Foreign Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister and former Commander of Land Force Western Area, Ross was a perfect choice for the venue. The theme throughout the day was the commonality between Canada and Sweden in climate, political and economic stability, an educated workforce, peace keeping – and of course ice hockey. This was echoed by representatives of the two Swedish companies Saab International and BAE Systems AB. Already established with three companies in Canada, Saab was well positioned to publicize its new-generation Gripen fighter aircraft, air defense C41 and state of the art UAV “Skeldar”- products typifying the company’s claim:”We make ideas fly.” Global in perspective, BAE Systems presented two companies that needed no introduction to Canadians- Bofors guns have long been used by the Canadian Navy as have Hagglunds armoured vehicles by Canadian forces in Afghanistan. The latest Bofors 57 Mk3 naval gun and Lemur remote control weapons system was shown as perfectly adaptable to conflicts in an ever changing world- whether against pirates,smugglers or terrorists. BAE’s Vice President of Communications Christer Heneback demonstrated that his company was the third largest global defence system with annual sales of $31 billion and Anders Karlsson, Head of Offset and Industrial Cooperation emphasized that with the CV90 IFV, his company had a solid and proven IRB record- that the armoured turret with its sophisticated software was manufactured locally and then integrated with the Hagglunds-built chassis- also in the recipient’s country. After lunch, symbolically demonstrating the historic defence production links between the two countries, there was a formal sign-off between BAE Systems and General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems on an ammunition production agreement. Then the Canadian companies began their presentations with Brian Akitt of General Dynamics speaking of the Hydra program. The Baltic Sea is one of the more acoustically difficult waters of the world and General Dynamics Canada had been selected by the Swedish government among 15 initial competitors as Prime Contractor, System Designer, and System Integrator for the underwater suite for its Visby Class corvettes. The Hydra underwater system performed both anti-submarine warfare and mine hunting missions in open ocean as well as in confined waters. Tim Dear, President of DEW Engineering began his presentation with the reminder that his company had been purchased in June 2008, by CoorsTek of Golden, Colorado – better known for its Coors beer. Headquartered in Ottawa, DEW with its General Manufacturing, Ballistic Test Range,Prototyping and Systems Engineeringhad an additional satellite production facility in Miramichi, New Brunswick. It specialized in Specially Equipped Vehicle (SEV) kits added or installed on vehicle chassis to convert them into military hardware. Examples of SEV kits are Ambulance, Command Post, Mobile Repair and Radio Rebroadcast Vehicles. The company’s internal R&D team ensured solutions to ever evolving ballistic, mine and IED threats to AVGPs as demonstrated in DND’s M113 Life Extension and Bison Re-Role Programs. For Stan Jacobson the last speaker, talking about his company’s success was easy. As Deputy Minister Dan Ross had noted that morning: “Lockheed Martin was on a role.” In service support provider for the combat systems of the Canadian Navy’s Halifax class vessels and having just secured the contract for 17 CC-130Js for the Canadian Air Force, Lockheed Martin had a strong presence in Canada – headquartered in Ottawa and employing nearly 500 Canadians. After the presentations, the audience inspected the technology display of Swedish companies outside the hall. Beside BAE Systems and Saab, these included Akers Krutbruk, a leader in protection, developing body and vehicle armour, the aptly named Swe-Dish a mobile satellite equipment provider and MSE Weibull Inc,suppliers of defence systems like MBT turret crew trainers, anti-aircraft trainers and flight simulators. This was an ideal networking opportunity for both Swedish and Canadian companies and governments alike. The day concluded with a reception at the Ambassador’s residence in Rockliffe Park where guests were treated to traditional Swedish hospitality.
By: Peter Pigott