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The Government of Canada announced the contract award for the new 21 Electronic Warfare Regiment (21 EW Regt) facility at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Kingston. A groundbreaking ceremony was also held to mark the start of construction. The design contract was awarded to Colbourne & Kembel Architects Inc. of Kingston, Ontario. “This new facility will enhance the Canadian Armed Forces’ electronic warfare capability, at home and abroad. The project not only modernizes our infrastructure and enhances our capabilities, it also supports 150 local jobs – an investment in both our Armed Forces and Canadian workers,” said Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence. The new $98 million 8,350 m2facility will consolidate units across CFB Kingston into one secure compound, providing the necessary space to support operations and increase collaboration between regimental squadrons. The two-story multipurpose building will include new classrooms and administrative spaces that will allow the regiment to more effectively train personnel and plan for operations. “This new facility represents a critical investment in the future of the Canadian Armed Forces. By strengthening our electronic warfare capabilities, we are better equipped to meet the demands of the modern security environment. This project not only enhances our security but also delivers meaningful economic benefits by supporting local jobs and contributing to economic growth in Kingston,” said Mark Gerretsen, MP for Kingston and the Islands. The new facility is expected to be operational in 2028 and will increase the Regiment’s ability to support electronic warfare personnel and capabilities, provide support to deployed electronic warfare forces and manage and maintain the unit’s material assets. The 21 EW Regt, which is comprised of both Reserve and Regular Force members, provides tactical electronic warfare support to CAF operations. This support can take a variety of forms, such as intercepting and analyzing foreign communications, installing and maintaining radio, satellite, and broadband technology, and assisting with reconnaissance and surveillance. The facility will be built to meet the Canadian Green Building Council Zero-Carbon Building Performance Standards. In addition to high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, the facility will also feature on-site solar power generation to offset the building’s electrical demand. These will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from Defence buildings to help meet the federal target of net-zero emissions by 2050. The facility will also house the Logistics Vehicle Modernization platforms, light and heavy trucks, and the Electronic Warfare, Mobile Repair Team and Maintenance Recovery Vehicle variants of the Armoured Combat Support Vehicle. It will have maintenance bays equipped to conduct first line maintenance on vehicle fleets for decades to come. |
