Looks like neither is coming to the CF anytime soon....
Shared in accordance with the "fair dealing" provisions, Section 29, of the Copyright Act - http://www.cb-cda.gc.ca/info/act-e.html#rid-33409.
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=fce6a269-c25a-4d0e-9569-e90ff542fbfd&k=39712
Canadian missile buy on hold
David ********, CanWest News Service; Ottawa Citizen, June 10, 2006
''OTTAWA -- The purchase of high-tech missiles that could be used to destroy Taliban bunkers and other fortifications is in limbo as the Conservative government focuses on the purchase of big-ticket equipment items such as transport aircraft.
The Canadian Forces has been trying for almost six years to buy the missiles, and at one point was preparing to take delivery of the new weapons in the fall of 2004. Another plan to award the contract by next month was also scuttled after the government determined the two missile manufacturers failed to meet its strict procurement rules by providing enough supporting documentation on the performance of their systems.
Now, with the Conservatives focused entirely on big-ticket items such as transport planes, ships and trucks, it's expected the Forces will not see the delivery of the missiles for several years.
"Not a lot is happening on this project now so we'll just have to wait and see," said Howie Smith, president of Ottawa-based Lansdowne Technologies. Lansdowne Technologies represents the Israeli-European consortium offering the Spike missile to Canada.
Raytheon, a U.S. company, is offering its Javelin weapon system for the Canadian military.
Smith said the Spike missile would be of use to Canadian troops in Afghanistan in their battles with insurgents, particularly if the enemy was fighting from fortified locations or caves.
"That's one of the perplexing things in all this," he said of the lack of movement on the missile project. "We thought Canada's role in Afghanistan would have put pressure on this to move forward ASAP."
The sensors on the Spike system can also be used for surveillance of targets.
British and Australian soldiers in Afghanistan are equipped with Raytheon's Javelin. The British troops have also used the heat-detection sensors on their Javelin systems to monitor insurgents.
The Canadian military focused on the Spike and Javelin missiles as weapons that could meet its needs for equipping troops with what the Armed Forces is calling an advanced lightweight anti-armor weapon system. The $194-million project would provide missiles that could be carried by light ground forces and be used to destroy tanks, trucks and bunkers.
But some defence analysts questioned the need for the program, noting the missile systems are mainly to deal with armoured vehicles and tanks, something unlikely to be encountered on battlefields in Afghanistan.
The project has also faced a number of delays. A defence review ordered by the Liberal government several years ago derailed the plan to acquire the missiles in late 2004.
Then, bids for the program were submitted last summer and the Canadian Forces expected to sign a contract with the winner by this month. But the government decided the two firms did not meet all of the procurement requirements and the competition was cancelled.
Public Works spokesman Mario Baril said the department still wants to move ahead with the project "in an expeditious manner," but it's not possible at this point to detail when that will happen. Deliveries of any missiles would take place over a two-year period from when the contract is signed.
Defence industry representatives, however, say they don't see a contract awarded until next year at the earliest. Others have suggested the project might be cancelled or restarted from scratch, prompting more delays.
Raytheon officials have said they remain interested in the project and are awaiting details from government on how it will proceed.
Smith said the European consortium offering the Spike missile remains committed to the Canadian market.
The Tories are currently preparing to move ahead on a number of big-ticket equipment items for the Canadian Forces, including the purchase of a fleet of C-17 transport aircraft. New army trucks as well as supply ships for the navy are also on that list. Estimates of the cost of those programs have gone as high as $8 billion, but government officials have stressed that no decisions have been yet taken...''
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