Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) is a short-range navigation aid which United States Air Force (USAF) fighter aircraft in particular will rely on increasingly in the immediate future for flight direction. The RCAF plan to equip their aircraft after 1960 for use of TACAN navigational aids. TACAN has also been adopted by NATO as the principal navigational aid to be installed in the NATO area.

2. Early in 1955 the United States authorities, after discussions with the RCAF and Department of Transport, requested Canadian Government authorization to undertake site surveys at various points in Canada with a view to the possible establishment of TACAN facilities in Canada as part of a world wide system of navigational aids to serve the USAF. Authorization of the site surveys was given by interested Ministers at that time and the surveys were completed in April 1956. The United States then opened negotiations looking to the establishment of the facilities. In March 1957 a United States draft note was submitted which, if agreed upon by the two Governments, would authorize the establishment of the TACAN facilities and their operation at United States expense by Canadian civilian and USAF personnel, depending on the particular site in question. While there has been considerable discussion of the matter between interested officials of the two Governments, no Canadian reply has been made as yet to the United States proposals of March 1957.

3. The United States is seeking authority to establish twelve TACAN facilities at the following sites in Canada:

The total cost of installation and operation would be borne by the United States. It was proposed that USAF personnel would maintain and operate the TACAN facilities at four sites (St. Anthony, Saglek, Cape Christian and Cutthroat Island) where U.S. personnel already operate other facilities, and that the USAF would engage a Canadian contractor to operate the other eight facilities situated at Canadian airfields.

4. The facilities consist in the main of electronic equipment and require only a minimum plot of ground and some storage buildings. The cost of each facility would run between $150-200 thousand. It is understood that the electronic equipment required is already in USAF stocks. Delivery from Canadian production of TACAN electronic equipment could not be made before the first quarter of 1960. The Minister of Defence Production is therefore prepared to agree that TACAN equipment from USAF depot stocks might be installed during 1958 and 1959.

5. The Minister of Defence Production is of the opinion that any construction involved, and the procurement of equipment other than electronic equipment, should be undertaken through Canadian Government Departments or agencies and that Canadian contractors should be used, particularly at those sites which are RCAF or DOT stations. He is prepared to give special consideration to particular conditions existing at the four sites (St. Anthony, Saglek, Cape Christian and Cutthroat Island) which are maintained and operated by United States personnel, after investigation by Defence Construction Limited of the practicability of employing Canadian contractors at these sites.

6. The USAF have aircraft (F102) equipped for navigation with TACAN only, operating in both the Alaskan and North Atlantic areas. In addition, USAF aircraft equipped with TACAN only are scheduled to be deployed to Europe over the North Atlantic ferry route during 1959. The United States authorities have argued that failure to establish TACAN facilities in Canada will impair seriously the operational capabilities of air defence aircraft and may preclude use of the North Atlantic ferry routes. The Canadian Chiefs of Staff consider that to deny the United States permission to establish these stations would penalize USAF operations materially. The Chiefs of Staff have recommended, therefore, that the present USAF programme be approved as an element of the joint defence programme of Canada and the United States.

Recommendations

7. The Secretary of State for External Affairs, with the concurrence of the Minister of National Defence, therefore recommends:

1. that approval in principle be given to the establishment of TACAN facilities at the twelve points mentioned in paragraph 3 above, on the understanding that the total cost of installation and operation will be borne by the USAF and that the facilities will be operated on the following basis:
   1. at the four sites where United States personnel are already stationed for other purposes, they may operate the TACAN facilities;
   2. at the other eight sites, the USAF will engage Canadian contractors to operate the facilities.
2. that in the procurement and construction of what is required for the establishment of TACAN facilities in Canada, the following conditions be met:
   1. permission be granted for the USAF to supply from their stocks TACAN equipment required during 1958 and 1959;
   2. construction and procurement of equipment (other than electronic equipment), supplies, and technical services, and work connected with the installation of electronic equipment be undertaken through Canadian Government Departments and Agencies and Canadian contractors be employed unless special circumstances prevail.
3. that approval be given for the negotiation of an inter-governmental exchange of notes which would include appropriate conditions for the establishment and maintenance of these facilities, including provisions concerning procurement and construction along lines similar to those approved in the case of the refuelling facilities project.¹⁸⁰

SIDNEY SMITH

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¹⁸⁰Approuvé par le Cabinet le 12 juillet 1958./Approved by Cabinet on July 12, 1958. Voir/See Section D.