Armoured Combat Support Vehicles offer critical combat support in high-threat environments by serving as command posts and ambulances.
They also provide vital engineering support, mobile repair and recovery capabilities.
National Defence is requesting $269.4 million in these Main Estimates to continue the design and production process of 360 Armoured Combat Support Vehicles.
This work includes designing and developing vehicle models, as well as producing and beginning to deliver the vehicles.
The first vehicles are anticipated to roll of the assembly line as early as December 2020, with the full fleet delivered by 2025.
General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada was awarded the contract, which requires that the company reinvest 100% of the value of the contract back into the Canadian economy.
These vehicles will provide Canadian Armed Forces members with the protection and mobility needed to successfully conduct operations.
Key Facts
The total project budget: $3B.
$2B for acquiring the vehicles, integrated logistics support and vehicle kits;
$1B for other costs, such as project management, infrastructure, integrating communications systems, and contingency.
Contractor: General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada, located in London, Ontario.
August 4, 2020: The Government announced the first Armoured Combat Support Vehicle began production at the General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada manufacturing facilities.
Economic Impact: This contract is helping General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada sustain its workforce of 1,650 jobs and more than 8,500 defence industry jobs in the company's supply chain across Canada.
Details
On August 16, 2019, the Minister of National Defence announced that the Government will acquire 360 Armoured Combat Support Vehicles from General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada. Funds for the purchase are in the approved budget for Canada's defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged.
General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada, whose parent company is General Dynamics (US), is Canada's largest defence company. It has an extensive supply chain in Canada, including an Indigenous-owned company providing metalwork.
Maximizing the economic benefits of this project for Canadians, the supplier is required to reinvest an amount equal to the value of this contract back into the Canadian economy.
These vehicles are based on the Light Armoured Vehicle 6.0 model, and will replace the Tracked Light Armoured Vehicle and Light Armoured Vehicle II Bison fleets.
The similarity of the Armoured Combat Support Vehicles fleet to the Light Armoured Vehicle 6.0 fleet will reduce the amount of training required for operators and maintainers, and will streamline logistics, so that the Canadian Army can integrate the fleet into operations sooner.
Timelines for this project are not expected to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a full evaluation of any delay will be assessed once the situation has stabilized.
The Integrated Soldier System Project delivered 4,144 wearable communications and navigation systems for the Canadian Armed Forces.
Each system features a radio, a smartphone-like computer, a GPS, and a communications headset.
National Defence is requesting $21.6 million in these Estimates to fund the final implementation phase of the Integrated Soldier System Platform project.
These funds will be used to add new software functions and enhancements to these systems, which are anticipated to be fully operational by 2023.
In addition, this project will benefit the Canadian economy, creating engineering and supply chain jobs at Rheinmetall Canada's facilities in Quebec.
This new capability is allowing soldiers to stay better connected with their teams on operations, improving
Key Facts
Contractor: Rheinmetall Canada Inc., in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.
The total project budget: $313.0M.
All 4,144wearable communications and navigation systems have been delivered, and will be fully operational by 2023.
Details
The Government awarded Rheinmetall Canada Inc. with a contract to deliver the wearable communications systems for the Integrated Soldier System Project.
Light Armoured Vehicle Reconnaissance Surveillance System (LRSS): Upgrade
The Light Armoured Vehicle Reconnaissance Surveillance System project will provide state-of-the-art surveillance systems, integrated into 66 light armoured vehicles.
The new systems will include a surveillance suite, upgraded capabilities to operate in remote operations, and a high definition operator control station.
National Defence is requesting $195.6 million in these Main Estimates to continue installing this enhanced suite of surveillance systems.
We anticipate that the first platform will be delivered in the summer of 2021, and fully functional by winter 2022.
Furthermore, this project sustains engineering and manufacturing jobs in London, Ontario, and throughout General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada supply chain in Canada.
These systems will allow the Canadian Army to conduct mission-essential multi-spectral surveillance.
Key Facts
The total project budget: $623.5M.
Prime Contractor: General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada in London, Ontario.
Details
The Light Armoured Vehicle Reconnaissance Surveillance System (LRSS) project will replace 141 of the Army's current in-service reconnaissance and surveillance vehicles with 66 state-of-the-art surveillance systems, integrated into 66 light armoured vehicles (LAV) 6.0 RECCE chassis.
Activities to Date
In February 2015, the Government awarded General Dynamics Land Systems Canada-Canada (GDLS-C) with a $287 million (HST included) LRSS implementation contract for the design, integration, and delivery of the LAV 6.0 RECCE.
In 2017, the mast sub-contractor declared bankruptcy resulting in material/intellectual property being transferred to General Dynamics Land Systems. An executive level Governance Committee was established to provide additional oversight.
In 2018, the project schedule and budget were re-assessed.
In January 2019, engineering testing began, to ensure compliance with the contract performance specifications. The project staff are continuing to find and fix problems.
In October 2019, the LAV 6.0 RECCE platform Critical Design Review was completed.
In December 2019, manufacturing issues with the mast were identified, which caused another 9 month delay.
In August 2020, the first mast was delivered for qualification testing.
Light armoured vehicles are the backbone of the Canadian Army's fleet of combat vehicles, as they can operate in most types of terrain and in combat or non-combat situations.
That is why, by July 2019, 550 light armoured vehicles were upgraded to improve protection, mobility, and lethality, while maximizing command support and improving crew ergonomics.
National Defence is requesting $34 million in these Main Estimates to fund remaining work.
These upgrades will capitalize on existing and evolving technology to make improvements to the upgraded LAV III fleet, which will extend its operational life to 2035.
In addition, the work being done will sustain 250 jobs in London, Ontario, and sustain 2,000 jobs across General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada's supply chain.
These upgrades will provide Canadian Army personnel with better protection and offensive capabilities on patrol and in combat.
Key Facts
The total project budget: $1.75B.
Contractor: General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada, located in London, Ontario.
Full Operational Capability was declared in Summer 2019 with Project Close-Out planned for Winter 2022.
Details
This program of upgrades is capitalizing on existing and evolving technology to improve the light armoured vehicle (LAV III) fleet and extend its operational life to 2035.
Remaining upgrades to be completed include:
118 new Laser Range Finders;
Communications cables;
Energy attenuating seats for the command post; and,
New air conditioning blower motors.
General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada owns the intellectual property for the LAV fleet and was contracted to complete the upgrades.
Activities to Date
October 2011: The Government announced the $1.064 billion contract, awarded to General Dynamics Land Systems – London, Ontario, for the implementation phase of the project.
November 2012: The contract was amended to exercise the option to upgrade 66 additional LAV III for an additional $151 million, in support of the Light Armoured Vehicle Reconnaissance Surveillance System project.
January 2013: Delivery ceremony for the first upgraded LAV III in London, Ontario.
July 2016: The Commander of the Canadian Army accepted the upgraded LAV III as the Canadian Army deployable LAV fleet. Exercise "Maple Resolve 16", held in Wainwright in May 2016 successfully fielded more than 110 upgraded LAV III.
February 2017: The Government announced the $404 million contract amendment that included the full upgrade to the 141 Light Armoured Vehicle Operational Requirement Integration Task (LORIT) vehicles. These 141 vehicles, included in the total of 550, had been scheduled to only receive a partial upgrade under the original scope of the contract.
July 2019: The last of the 550 vehicles was upgraded and delivered to the Canadian Army, which satisfied the requirement for Full Operational Capability. There are some outstanding contract deliverables remaining.
The Medium Support Vehicle System is a multi-phased project that includes procuring two types of medium-sized logistics trucks, related infrastructure, and important support equipment.
All 1587 Standard Military Pattern trucks and 322 trailers have been delivered and are in-service across Canada, including Montreal, Edmonton, Shilo, Gagetown, Petawawa and Valcartier.
National Defence is requesting $68 million in these Main Estimates to continue implementation phase activities, including acquiring spare parts, tools, and Armoured Protection Systems.
These new trucks will provide lift and logistical support on the ground, and will transport equipment and supplies to where they are needed most.
Key Facts
The total project budget: $1.5B.
Includes $50M for major in-service support contracts.
Since January 2020: 16 Standard Military Pattern trucks have been deployed for Operation REASSURANCE.
February 2020: All 1587 trucks and 322 trailers have been delivered and are in-service across Canada.
August 2020: All 161 armoured protection systems have been delivered.
Details
The Medium Support Vehicle System (MSVS) project aims to procure a new medium-sized logistics capability that will be used by both the Regular and Reserve Forces in a wide range of support roles, domestically and abroad. It will modernize and improve the Canadian Armed Forces sustainment capacity.
In addition, the project has acquired new container-based mobile workspaces that provide medical, dental, workshop, field kitchen, and command post capabilities.
The MSVS is a multi-phased project that has five parts:
Phase 1: Military Commercial Off-The-Shelf (MilCOTS) trucks (completed in 2011)
Phase 2: Shelters (completed in 2015)
Phase 3: Kitting of Shelters (completed in 2016)
"Kitted shelters" are mobile workspaces that provide medical, dental, workshop, field kitchen, and command post capabilities, among others.
Phase 4: Standard Military Pattern (SMP) trucks, including load handling system trailers, armoured protection systems, and in-service support (ongoing)
Phase 5: Minor infrastructure upgrades (ongoing)
Activities to Date
March 2011: 1300 MilCOTS trucks in-service and distributed across Canada.
February 2015: 994 shelters delivered and distributed across Canada.
June 2015: Contracts awarded for the acquisition of SMP trucks, Armoured Protection Systems, Load Handling System trailers, and In-Service Support.
November 2016: 846 shelter kits delivered and distributed across Canada.
April 2018 - February 2020: SMP trucks distributed to Canadian Forces Bases in Montreal, Edmonton, Shilo, Gagetown, Petawawa, and Valcartier.
February 2020: All 1587 trucks and 322 trailers have been delivered and are in-service across Canada.
August 2020: All 161 armoured protection systems have been delivered. The SMP In-Service Support Contract has been extended by an additional five years.
The Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle is a general multi-purpose vehicle that fulfills a variety of roles on the battlefield, from reconnaissance and surveillance to armoured transport.
That is why Canada has procured 500 new Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles, of which the last was delivered in December 2018.
National Defence is requesting $32.9 million in these Main Estimates to fund remaining equipment and logistics products for the fleet.
This includes special tooling and test equipment, simulators, new infrastructure, and ammunition.
This project will also inject $727 million into the Canadian economy through acquisition and support contracts.
These versatile and mobile vehicles will provide a high degree of protection for our Canadian Armed Forces members.
Key Facts
The total project budget: $1.25B.
Contractor: Textron Systems Canada Inc., in Ottawa, Ontario.
Activities to date:
Delivery of all 500 vehicles.
Completion of initial training for operators and technicians.
New infrastructure to house and maintain the vehicles completed at CFB Gagetown, CFB Valcartier and CFB Petawawa.
Full Operational Capability of the Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles was achieved in October 2020.
Complete Project Close-Out is plannedfor March 2022, pending the completion of infrastructure upgrades at CFB Meaford.
In 2019, the Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle was used in Exercise MAPLE RESOLVE, the most comprehensive Canadian Army training event of the year.
Details
The Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) is a versatile and extremely mobile vehicle that provides a very high degree of protection for its crew.
In June 2012, through a competitive process, the Government awarded Textron Systems Canada Inc. an acquisition contract for 500 vehicles, as well as a long-term support contract.
The TAPV vehicles underwent extensive qualification testing, including a rigorous Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Durability (RAMD) test program.
Delivery of the TAPV began in August 2016, with the last of the 500 vehicles delivered in December 2018. They are located at:
127 at CFB Gagetown
129 at CFB Valcartier
25 at CFB Montreal
2 at CFB Borden
42 at CFB Shilo
63 at CFB Edmonton and
112 at CFB Petawawa
The project also delivered 40mm ammunition under the Munitions Supply Program.
There are outstanding infrastructure upgrades at the following bases:
Canadian Forces Base Valcartier – Completed in July 2020;
Canadian Forces Base Shilo - Completion estimated in December 2021; and
Canadian Forces Base Meaford - Completion estimated in December 2020.
Delivery of the following systems is outstanding:
76mm Smoke Grenades - Delivery in November 2021; and
Weapons Effect Simulator Integration - Delivery in May 2021.
