Ottawa is investing 13.78 billion Canadian dollars ($10 billion) to provide new aircraft and military trucks for the armed forces.
The purchase supports the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program, which aims to modernize tactical preparations for airborne troops as well as the army’s Logistics Vehicle Modernization Project (LVM) to expand ground-based assets for warfighter and equipment transport.
Under the aircraft project, the government awarded 11.2 billion Canadian dollars ($8.16 billion) to SkyAlyne to supply 70 military training aircraft for the FAcT initiative.
Deliverables will include Airbus H-135s, Beechcraft King Air 260s, Pilatus PC-21s, Grob G120TPs, and De Havilland Dash 8-400s with cabin-installed mission training systems.
SkyAlyne noted that the contract will build on the government’s previous training services with incumbent FAcT industry partners KF Aerospace and CAE. Existing operations will continue in bases across Saskatchewan, Winnipeg, and Manitoba.
Work for the FAcT aircraft will be performed for 25 years and is expected to support approximately 3,400 jobs throughout the contract’s duration.
Trucks From General Dynamics, Marshall
Meanwhile, the 2.58-billion Canadian dollar ($1.88 billion) LVM contract ordered the provision and sustainment of 1,000 light trucks and about 500 heavy trucks from General Dynamics Land Systems and Marshall.
The vehicles will be accompanied by trailers, armored protection kits, detachable and interchangeable containers, and modules with command posts, firefighting, ambulance, and workshop configurations.
Once operational, the LVM fleet will be used for in-country and overseas combat support, disaster relief, and peacekeeping efforts.
They will also replace older light, heavy, and engineering support vehicles commissioned in the late 1980s.
The consortium will start delivering the systems by 2027. The project will extend up to 25 years and create or maintain up to 1,550 jobs.
Bolstering Canadian Defense, Industry
In its announcement, Canada highlighted the importance of its latest military investment for its “Our North, Strong and Free” vision, a framework addressing national defense gaps to match “highly contested and increasingly complex theatres of operation.”
“Today’s investments demonstrate that when we work collaboratively with Canadian industry partners, we can provide our troops with the tools that they need to do their jobs – and support good jobs right across Canada,” a statement from the government said.
“Through the Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy, we ensure that these investments not only strengthen our defence capabilities but also nurture the leadership of Canadian supply chains, fostering job creation and economic prosperity for years to come.”