Canadian Military Plans $5B HIMARS Procurement From US Amid Tariff War

The Canadian military is planning to procure the US-built M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, amid strained ties between the neighbors over tariffs.

A sole-source deal plan is being proposed by Canadian military leadership to buy a number of HIMARS, Ottawa Citizen revealed, citing sources.

The potential deal could be executed through a foreign military sale, wherein Canada would receive the systems directly from the US government.

$5 Billion Deal

Ottawa Citizen estimated the cost of the deal at around $5 billion based on a 2024 Canadian Forces briefing on the Long Range Precision Fires project.

The purchase includes launchers, fire control software, munitions, and spare parts.

“The Long-Range Precision Strike (Land) project will significantly enhance Canada’s defence capabilities, both domestically and abroad,” Ottawa Citizen quoted Department of National Defence spokesperson Kened Sadiku as saying.

“This project is progressing well and we are expecting to share additional details in the coming months.”

Situation Under Consideration

Though the plans are based on national security priorities, the “trade situation” in the US was being monitored for assessment of its potential impact on existing projects, Sadiku added.

Meanwhile, a Canadian defense ministry spokesperson recently said that the Canadian government was reviewing the purchase of 88 F-35 jets from the US amid deteriorating relations with the Trump administration.

The US administration has imposed 25 percent tariffs on all Canadian products.