The Montreal Gazette June 14, 2011
Canada buys more 'smart' munitions
By David Pugliese
Canada is ordering another 1,000 smart bombs as CF-18 fighters continue to carry out missions against Libya, and Parliament is set to debate the country's role in the war.
The Defence Department recently ordered the equipment needed for more than 1,300 laser-guided smart bombs. That order consisted of specialized nose and tail systems, which transform an unguided "dumb bomb" into a laser-guided smart bomb.
This new order is for the systems needed for 1,000 more bombs and Canada is expected to place additional orders as the conflict continues.
MPs will debate the mission Tuesday, but with the Conservative majority in the Commons, it is expected that Canada's contribution to the war, called Operation Mobile, will be extended to the end of September.
Earlier this year, Parliament agreed to the Canadian military taking part in enforcing a no-fly zone, where fighter aircraft would be used to protect Libyan civilians from attacks by the Libyan military. A Canadian frigate was also sent to enforce an arms embargo.
But critics say the mission has changed, with NATO now trying to kill Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi and its jets bombing the capital, Tripoli.
The Defence Department did not provide comment about the latest order of smart bomb components.
But after the Ottawa Citizen broke the news about the first order of weapons in May, the Defence Department acknowledged it was indeed purchasing more bombs. It, however, declined to discuss the numbers or costs, citing operational security.
In an email at that time, the Defence Department noted the Guided Bomb Unit-12, also known as Paveway II, is made up of a variety of components purchased separately. It stated the Defence Department "is currently taking delivery of selected components from the U.S. Government, through a Foreign Military Sale case, to replenish stocks consumed in operations."
The Defence Department was also continuing discussions with the U.S. for future requirements of these components, according to the email. "The components of the GBU-12s are being acquired now to ensure sufficient stocks are available to support Operation Mobile, as well as for future needs."
John Pike, director of the Washington-based defence think-tank Global Security. org, estimated the Paveway weapons Canada was ordering cost about $100,000 each.
Others have disputed that figure, noting the kits for each bomb cost under $20,000.
To operate the Paveway system, the pilot illuminates the target with a laser. The munition - fitted with a specialized nose and tail that converts it from an unguided dumb bomb to a laser-guided smart bomb - then travels to a spot of laser energy reflected from the target, according to the Global Security.org website page on the Paveway bomb.
Defence Minister Peter MacKay says the Libyan mission has so far cost Canadian taxpayers about $26 million. If the mission is extended until September the total cost would be $60 million, he said.
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