Canada to buy 190 armoured vehicles from Ontario-based manufacturer in $2B deal

Prime Minister Mark Carney says the federal government is spending “nearly $2 billion” over the next four years on made-in-Canada armoured vehicles.

The planned addition of 190 armoured combat support vehicles will bring the military’s total fleet up to 550 vehicles, he said.

Carney announced the deal Thursday in London, Ont., at the Canadian campus of global defence contractor General Dynamics Land Systems.

The prime minister said every single vehicle will be built at the company’s Ontario factory with parts sourced from providers across the country.

“All of those parts — each intricately crafted and built by Canadians from British Columbia to Nova Scotia — arrive here, on the London factory floor, where (General Dynamics) workers turn them into advanced armoured combat vehicles,” Carney said.

The prime minister said this purchase is an example of his government’s defence industrial strategy, which seeks to build out Canada’s national security capabilities using domestic suppliers whenever possible.

Carney claimed the strategic partnership with General Dynamics will “create and sustain” 6,000 jobs over the next eight years.

Ottawa bought 360 armoured vehicles from General Dynamics in 2019, with delivery set to be completed by the end of 2025.

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The vehicles are called Armoured Combat Support Vehicles (ACSVs) and combine advanced armour to protect against mines, improvised explosive devices and enemy fire.

Canada’s armoured fleet has been deployed in various missions abroad and Carney announced last week that 35 of the vehicles will be built to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

Headquartered in London GDLS-Canada employs more than 1,700 workers who design, manufacture, and support made-in-Canada ACSVs, Ottawa says. The company has delivered over 2,000 vehicles to the Canadian Armed Forces and more than 9,000 vehicles to Canada’s allies and partners.

“By working with trusted Canadian partners, we are strengthening our defence industrial base, supporting highly skilled jobs, and advancing innovation that enhances Canada’s security and sovereignty,” Minister of National Defence David McGuinty said in a release.

– With files from INsauga.com