CASR

Canadian
American
Strategic
Review

CCV Armoured Vehicles  –  DND's CCV/FLCS Recommitment  –  April 2010 CCV: Close Combat Vehicle Back On Again — DND 'Re-Commits' Update Sept 2012: CCV was 'reset' in May 2012. Now the new bids are being accepted. The Close Combat Vehicle is back on again and via the CF's newspaper, The Maple Leaf, we are assured that the current plans for the CCV project match the CLS' "vision for combat capability in future operations." That would  be a  little more reassuring had LGen Andrew Leslie not been nudged out of the CLS position last week.  DND  gives us  no indication of LGen Leslie's future posting. Indeed, what little escapes the NDHQ informational black-hole suggests that overly public manoeuvring by the CLS on behalf of CCV and TAPV projects led to Leslie's downfall. As usual, with the journalistic style of  The Maple Leaf,  no real information is conveyed.  ' Management-speak ' quotes are given by the current VCLS (soon to be 'promoted' to CF rep to NATO ) and the COS (Mat) with nary a hint of  CCV's trials and tribulations. (Perhaps no surprise, considering the flutter of statements from DND officials of late insisting that nothing is wrong with Canada's procurement system!)  One detail does stand out. The Family of  Land Combat Vehicles (CCV, TAPV, FMS, LAV III UP ) are expected  to achieve full operational capability by 2015 – the FOC listed for CCV back in June 2009. Apparently, fumbling this project for months and wrong-footing industry is not expected to bring about delays of any kind. The original 30 March 2010 article from  The Maple Leaf  is available in  html  and  pdf. DND re-commits to acquiring close combat vehicles Annie Dicaire (The Maple Leaf ) DND senior officials confirmed in February [2010] that the acquisition of close combat vehicles (CCVs) for our soldiers is a priority that should not be postponed. The plan to proceed with the CCV project fits in well with the Chief of the Land Staff's vision for combat capability in future operations. "This is certainly great news for our troops," CLS Lieutenant-General Andrew Leslie said. "This new capability is a great step towards adapting the Army to the changing combat environment, and ensuring that we have the best tools to be successful in future missions." The procurement activities of  the CCV project were temporarily reduced  in December 2009 while officials examined the question of when to implement all four family of land combat vehicles (FLCV) projects, with a combined value of  more than  $5 billion: the  CCV,  the tactical armoured patrol vehicle (TAPV) ,  light armoured vehicle III upgrade (LAV III UP) , and  the force mobility enhancement (FME) vehicles. "What was examined was the order in which these projects should be delivered,” said Vice Chief of  the Defence Staff  Vice-Admiral Denis Rouleau, "and when the new CCV capability should be introduced to the Canadian Forces, to ensure that the Department is focussing its resources towards our key priorities," The CCV project will provide the CF with up to 138 [including options] medium-weight infantry fighting vehicles that are highly protected and tactically mobile. The CCV will bridge the gap between light armoured vehicles ( [ weighing ] 5-20 tonnes) and  heavy armoured vehicles (more than 45 tonnes) while allowing infantry to operate in intimate support of  Leopard 2 tanks  –  a vehicle capability the CF does not currently have. How close are we to seeing [the CCV]? We are still a couple of years away from seeing the first [CCV, typical] for a project of this magnitude [with a] competitive procurement process, involving many federal departments including Public Works and Government Services Canada, and  Industry Canada. Throughout the early stages of  the process, feedback from industry is sought. "[DND's] aim is to acquire the best equipment for our soldiers while providing the best value for Canadians," said Chief of  Staff (Materiel) [ David "Jake"] Jacobson. "We are achieving this through open dialogue with industry  – consulting regularly and  listen- ing to feedback – which leads to overall shorter procurement timelines and... success." [PMO CCV] is planning an Industry Day for early April  to provide a project update to contenders and stakeholders. In the coming weeks, a  [ SOIQ ]  Solicitation of  Interest and Qualification will  be released  by  Public Works and Government Services Canada on the government's electronic tendering service [ie: MERX]. The renewal of  land combat vehicles is a key component of  the Canada First Defence Strategy [there estimated to "require investments ranging between $45 billion and $50 billion in acquisition capital costs", see: Canada First Defence Strategy, 2. Equipment], and lays a solid foundation for the continued modernization and strengthening of  the CF. The CCV, TAPV, LAV III UP, and FME [vehicles] are expected to reach full opera- tional capability by 2015 [ the FOC for CCV was originally scheduled for July of 2015 ].