BAE Systems has played a vital role in the Canadian defence and security industrial base for more than a century. Since 1911, it has worked with the Canadian Armed Forces to contribute to the country’s security, while also delivering world-class innovations and employing thousands of Canadians.
BAE Systems’ heritage companies include Hawker Siddeley, Avro Canada which produced the Avro Arrow aircraft, and De Havilland Canada. From these beginnings through to today, they have worked alongside the military and fellow Canadian companies to deliver both protection and economic prosperity.
Delivering military capabilities on land, sea and air
“From world-leading defence platforms to a range of services, our strengths and core capabilities include providing design, manufacture, integration, and support services for the Canadian Armed Forces across land, sea, air, space and digital domains,” says Anne Healey, Director, BAE Systems Canada.
The company’s Hawk jet trainer has provided training for thousands of Royal Canadian Air Force pilots, she notes. The company is also responsible for the design of a fleet of 15 River Class Destroyer warships for the Royal Canadian Navy, in partnership with Irving Shipbuilding and Lockheed Martin Canada.
“We worked with another Canadian company, Cellula Robotics, on the autonomous, uncrewed submarine, Herne. Trials off the south coast of England late last year saw the craft conduct a pre-programmed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance mission powered by Nautomate, our platform agnostic, high-specification autonomous military control system,” says Healey.
BAE Systems’ Swedish businesses, Hägglunds and Bofors, offer globally proven and world-renowned capabilities for personnel transport through snow and other tough terrain conditions and mobile firepower with the Beowulf tracked vehicle and ARCHER wheeled howitzer.
Recent enhancements in munitions production also offers Canada the opportunity to build up its stockpiles to boost its defence capabilities, and following donations to Ukraine.
BAE Systems also has the T-series of hybrid and electric uncrewed aerial systems capable of lifting payloads between 68 and 300 kilograms over short- to medium-range missions, providing logistics support for troops, including delivering ship-to-ship on the current deployment of the UK’s aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales. The Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Ville de Québec is also playing a key role in this carrier strike group deployment.
In terms of innovation, the company’s new PHASA-35 solar-powered aircraft, is capable of flying more than 20,000 metres (66,000 feet) high, well above commercial air traffic. “It delivers persistent and cost-effective imagery and communications by utilizing a range of world-leading technologies including advanced composites, energy management, solar electric cells, and photo-voltaic arrays, not currently available from existing air and space platforms,” explains Healey. “It could be very valuable in border patrol operations,” she adds.
Furthermore, BAE Systems makes valuable contributions to sustainable transportation. “Our hybrid and electric drivetrains more than three thousand buses in Canada, delivering sustainable municipal transport in several cities, including Ottawa and Halifax, where most of our employees are based,” says Healey.
BAE Systems’ energy and infrastructure strategies reduce greenhouse gas emissions across its operations, while supporting business growth. “We’re working with our customers to deliver products and services that support their operational performance, whilst developing energy-efficient plans, embedding environmental considerations within the overall platform or capability,” Healey explains.
Meeting future security and economic growth needs
Healey says the company will continue to expand, employing more Canadians in high-value jobs.
“We have more than 150 suppliers in Canada and last year we spent more than $300 million with them,” says Healey, who stresses that the economic impact of BAE Systems supports an estimated 8,000 jobs in Canada.
“We aim to grow that significantly in the years ahead. We often talk of a century of commitment, and a partnership with purpose because that is the legacy we continue today, with a bright future of growth ahead of us in, and with, Canada.”
