Minister of National Defence Bill Blair officially accepts delivery of first new ACSV (Armoured Combat Support Vehicles) for the Canadian Army.
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Press Release, Garrison Petawawa, 19 October 2023: Today, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, and General Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff, visited Garrison Petawawa where the first four new Armoured Combat Support Vehicles (ACSVs) were officially accepted by the Canadian Army.
Minister Blair and General Eyre toured the newly-arrived armoured vehicles, which represent the first of 360 Armoured Combat Support Vehicles that will be delivered to the Canadian Army over the coming years. These first four vehicles are the ambulance variant, which will be equipped with medical supplies and an internal layout that will allow for the treatment of a wide range of injuries.
Procured through the Armoured Combat Support Vehicle project, these vehicles will provide the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) with a modernised, armoured combat support fleet which will ensure the members of the Canadian Army have the tools that they need to conduct operations in Canada, and abroad. These vehicles are general-utility combat support vehicles that will fulfil a wide variety of support roles on the battlefield – including serving as troop transport, command vehicles, electronic warfare, mobile repair, and various combat engineering tasks. They will provide a high degree of manoeuvrability and protection to their crews and payloads.
This procurement is delivering major economic benefits for Canada. The 360 ACSVs are being acquired thanks to a $2 billion investment with General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada. This project is supporting 1,975 jobs annually in London, Ontario and across the country, as well as contributing $250 million dollars annually to Canada’s Gross Domestic Product over an eight-year period.
The delivery of the ambulance marks the first of eight variants to be received by the Canadian Army under the ACSV project. Training for both maintainers and operators of the vehicle is scheduled to begin this month.
“The members of the Canadian Armed Forces deserve modern equipment that gets the job done. These new Armoured Combat Support Vehicles will serve our members well at home and abroad, enabling them to protect Canada and support our Allies. I thank the hundreds of Canadian workers involved in building these vehicles – and reaffirm our commitment to investing in our military while creating good jobs for Canadians.” The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence
“This project highlights investments in Canada’s domestic supply chain, and the importance of supporting good middle-class jobs. Welcoming the first ambulance variant of the Armoured Combat Support Vehicle supports our commitment in ensuring members of our Canadian Armed Forces have the modern equipment they need to do their jobs and keep Canadians safe.” The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement
“Modernising, renewing and improving our capabilities within the Canadian Armed Forces is essential to keep Canada safe in a world that grows more complex, and I am pleased to see the first variant of the Armoured Combat Support Vehicles project being delivered today. These ambulances, which were much needed, will provide enhanced protection for our personnel when it matters most whether they’re at home or abroad.” General W.D. Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff
“I am thrilled to see this first wave of Armoured Combat Support Vehicles in the hands of our soldiers. They are professionals who expect to be trained and equipped like the world-class soldiers they are. The Armoured Combat Support Vehicle is one of many ways we’re achieving that. Whether training here in Canada or deployed abroad, this capability will help us to continue to build toward critical missions, including the upcoming multinational brigade in Latvia.” Lieutenant-General J.J.M.J Paul, Commander Canadian Army
Quick Facts
- Under Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, we previously expected initial delivery in 2025. National Defence and the CAF were able to advance this procurement to a faster timeline, which is good news for CAF members.
- The new fleet of ACSVs will all be based on the Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) 6.0 and will replace the current LAV II Bison and M113 Tracked LAV fleets.
- The LAV 6.0 is a tested and proven platform that meets the Canadian Army’s needs, and having similar combat support vehicles will offer operational advantages to the CAF, including reduced training and sustainment costs, as well as the availability of common spare parts to fix vehicles quickly during critical operations.
- The ACSV will provide the CAF with a new fleet of armoured support vehicles employed in eight variants: Command Post, Mobile Repair Team, Maintenance and Recovery Vehicle, Ambulance, Electronic Warfare, Engineer, Troop Cargo Vehicle, and Fitter Cargo Vehicle.
- CFB Petawawa is receiving the first of the ambulance – armoured support vehicles, a total of 49 vehicles will be delivered to bases across Canada in the coming months.
- The Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy applies to this contract, ensuring that General Dynamics will invest equal to the value of the contract back into the Canadian economy, providing opportunities for Canadian small and medium businesses, and supporting innovation and skills development for Canadian workers.
- In summer 2022, Canada announced the donation of 39 Armoured Combat Support vehicles to Ukraine, which have all been delivered.
On September 22, 2023, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a new investment of $650 million over three years to supply Ukraine with 50 armoured vehicles, including armoured medical evacuation vehicles, built by Canadian workers in London, Ontario.
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