Marine pollution surveillance aircraft

Not military, but related:

ST. JOHN'S, NL - A newly equipped Transport Canada Dash 8 [actually Bombardier Q Series now--how odd Bombardier is not mentioned in the news release] pollution surveillance aircraft was officially launched in St. John's today by the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, along with the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Environment and the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador. The aircraft, equipped with state-of-the-art aerial surveillance equipment, will increase Transport Canada's ability to detect marine polluters better than ever before...

The installation of the Maritime Surveillance System 6000 (MSS 6000) represents an investment of $4.6 million.

The technology will enable the surveillance aircraft to cover a much broader area then before, day or night, and in more challenging weather conditions, such as low cloud cover...

..."This new technology is an excellent example of what Canada's New Government is doing to protect our environment. It is a perfect supplement to the existing RADARSAT satellite system."

RADARSAT is a satellite observation system that can be used in the detection of oil spilled on the ocean's surface. The use of the new aerial surveillance equipment, along with RADARSAT improves our ability to track and hold accountable those who pollute our waters...

Several federal agencies, including Transport Canada, Environment Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, Justice Canada and the Department of National Defence, work closely together to prevent incidents of ship-source marine pollution. Various initiatives in the last several years include an awareness campaign to inform the domestic and international marine industry on the negative impact of ship-source marine pollution, as well as the Government of Canada's firm commitment to hold these polluters accountable for their actions.

Additional information, including radar images taken from this week's first mission, can be found at www.marinepollution.gc.ca.

A similar version is used by the Swedish Coast Guard. Here they will be with Transport Canada rather than the Canadian Coast Guard as the CCG does not operate fixed-wing aircraft.

Surely a few more such aircraft would be very helpful for general maritime surveillance (including sovereignty patrols in the Arctic) -- fisheries enforcement etc. A contract actually worth giving to Bombardier! Australia and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency also have chosen Q Series for maritime patrol.

More here.

Update: For once I agree with "critics" and "experts" cited by the Globe:

Single plane to patrol eastern Canadian waters