DARTMOUTH, NOVA SCOTIA -- (Marketwire) -- 12/14/12 -- The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Associate Minister of National Defence, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) (La Francophonie) and Member of Parliament for Madawaska-Restigouche, and the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, announced today that up to 20 jobs will be sustained in Nova Scotia thanks to the Government's investment in improved sonobuoy technology for the Canadian Armed Forces.

Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, has been awarded a $2.5 million contract for a period of three years to supply sonobuoy technical investigation and engineering support to the Canadian Armed Forces.

"Our Government is committed to the economic growth to invest in defence equipment," said Minister Valcourt. "As a Government, we are contributing to the economic health of communities and industries across Canada."

Sonobuoys are small, deployable, floating sensors that detect, identify, and locate surface vessels and submarines. They do this by either listening for the sounds of propellers and other machinery or by bouncing a sonar "ping" off of the surface of a submarine. This provides the Canadian Armed Forces with critical awareness of the location and identity of vessels within Canada's maritime exclusive economic zone.

"The investigation and engineering support covered under this contract will help ensure the Canadian Armed Forces remain a flexible, agile and resilient force that is an enduring source of pride for Canadians," added Minister MacKay.

The technical and engineering support work under this contract will include determining ways and means of improving the operation of the sonobuoys. The sonobuoys will continue supporting the operational capabilities of the CP-140 Aurora, the CH-124 Sea King, the Halifax-class frigates, and the Iroquois-class destroyers, and will support the CH-148 Cyclone. Their capabilities for detecting, identifying, locating and tracking objects at sea will continue to be used in defending Canada and North America; assisting law enforcement authorities; and helping to refine search areas for search and rescue operations.