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The first of seven single-seat Douglas A-4N Skyhawks upgraded by Discovery Air
Defence Services stopped in Ottawa en route to Germany, where the Luftwaffe will
use the aircraft as a “low-cost” aggressor trainer. The A-4N debuted in the early
1950s and saw extensive service with the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War,
and with a number of countries, notably Israel. DADS Photo
Discovery Air Inc. (“Discovery Air”) has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Discovery Air Defence Services Inc. (“DA Defence Services”), has begun the deployment of its significantly upgraded, glass cockpit, advanced A-4N fleet to Wittmund, Germany to begin its contract with the German Armed Forces. Under its contract, DA Defence Services will provide fast jet airborne training services to the German Armed Forces for a term of five years, commencing January 2015. This announcement was made at the Ottawa International Airport by senior Discovery Air executives alongside Member of Parliament for Bruce – Grey – Owen Sound, Larry Miller, chair of the Government of Canada Transport Committee.
Jacob (Koby) Shavit, CEO of Discovery Air, extended his gratitude to the Government of Canada for its support, saying “Exporting Discovery Air Defence Services’ world-class training services to Germany is an excellent example of the Global Markets Action Plan (GMAP) at work. We are a Canadian company that is focused on taking our first-rate air training services and growing it internationally. With Aerospace and Defence & Security both being priority sectors under the GMAP, we offer tremendous value to governments faced with the reality of fiscal constraints and the need for high levels of defense readiness.”
“Canada is well known internationally for its strict airworthiness and safety standards applied by both Transport Canada and the Canadian Forces,” continued Shavit. “We have operated under these rigorous standards for nine years, providing over 47,000 accident free hours in support of Canadian and NATO allies.”
“As the world’s leading provider of contracted air training services, DA Defence Services is well recognized for its operational excellence. Discovery Air Defence Services is exporting this service with the support of the Canadian government. This is an evolutionary opportunity to further increase our participation in the newly developing contracted air training services industry internationally.”
“With its world-leading air worthiness, safety record and 21st century expertise, our government is proud of Discovery Air’s success in global markets,” said the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Canada’s Minister of Transport. “Winning a contract to provide airborne training to Germany’s Armed Forces shows that Canadian companies can compete and win against the best in the world. This is further proof that when Canadian businesses succeed abroad, jobs and prosperity are created right here at home.”
