“Canada’s next fleet of armoured vehicles will be built by Canadians, for the Canadian Armed Forces,” Carney said in a social media post on July 31.. “Our new partnership with GDLS-Canada will create more than 6,000 good jobs — in London, Ontario and right across the country.”
Carney’s statement followed a strategic partnership agreement between the Canadian government and GDLS-Canada. The arrangement is intended to expand domestic development, production and support of wheeled armored combat vehicles.
GDLS-Canada received an award worth nearly $2 billion for 190 additional Armored Combat Support Vehicles. The agreement also covers 35 vehicles that Canada plans to donate to Ukraine.
The 190 vehicles were ordered through an amendment to a contract originally awarded in 2019. That earlier contract covered 360 Armored Combat Support Vehicles for Canada.
The strategic partnership is designed to streamline development of future armored vehicle technologies. It also covers upgrades and new capabilities for existing fleets.
