Abstract
In the last ten years, the Canadian Forces underwent an extensive reformation and in the
process defence equipment was acquired to fulfill urgent international and domestic operations.
The Canadian government reinvested in procuring new capabilities for the RCAF from Search
and Rescue to Strategic Airlift. Due to operational urgency, DND procured off-the-shelf items
and bypassed the traditional procurement procedures. However, in the process, defence
equipment faced scheduled delays while others were a smooth transition and immediately
deployable. This study examines and compares four case studies to determine important
procurement practices and challenges in off-the-shelf procurement. There are a number of
lessons available for Canadian defence policy-makers in re-equipping the Canadian Forces in a
time of operational urgency.
Refereed
Yes