Canada reveals first eight military procurements to be managed by the new Defence Investment Agency (DIA). The project was announced in response to a research request by Conservative MP Scott Anderson.

The procurements include Canada’s next fleet of submarines, Arctic over-the-horizon radar and a fleet of early warning-and-control surveillance aircraft. Other projects include CC-130J Hercules in-service support and software upgrades, and satellite communications projects.  There was no mention of managing the purchase of any land vehicles or fighter jets.

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The agency is being run by former banker Doug Guzman, who will be taking on projects with a value of more than $100 million.

Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged that the new office will be set up during the spring election to prioritize and speed up defence procurement and buy equipment for the Canadian Armed Forces.

CDR has long called for a single point of accountability in defence procurement. Countries like the UK, Australia and the US have had agencies in place for this purpose for a long time. Now finally, as Canada looks to achieve 2% defence spending to meet its NATO commitment, PM Carney, in October of this year, announced the establishment of the Defence Investment Agency.

READ: PM Carney Launches New Defence Investment Agency to Rebuild, Rearm, and Reinvest in the CAF

The DIA will build domestic manufacturing and supply chains, and create new careers, so the CAF have the world-class equipment they need.

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