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Or sign-in if you have an account.Prime Minister Mark Carney touches two light armoured vehicles as he leaves a press conference at General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada in London, Ont. on July 16, 2026. Photo by Geoff Robins/The London Free PressA new partnership between Ottawa and General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada will allow the armoured vehicle maker to expand its domestic supply chain while cementing London as an “important hub for defence manufacturing” in the country, the company’s head says.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorPrime Minister Mark Carney announced during a July 16 visit to London that the federal government will spend $2 billion over four years to expand the Canadian Armed Forces’ fleet by purchasing 190 armoured vehicles from GDLS-Canada, a subsidiary of U.S. aerospace and defence giant General Dynamics Corp.The contract makes London-based GDLS-Canada the first partner under Ottawa’s new defence industrial strategy, an initiative designed to rebuild the Canadian military through domestic supply chains while encouraging companies to invest in Canadian research and development.Breaking business news, incisive views, must-reads and market signals. Weekdays by 9 a.m.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Posthaste will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againThe new contract “provides greater stability and predictability for our workforce,” while the long-term agreement with Ottawa provides a framework that “will create opportunities in the broader defence ecosystem for companies,” Dave Haggerty, vice-president and general manager of GDLS-Canada, said in response to questions from The Free Press.“This partnership is designed to ensure that generational investments in defence translate into lasting economic benefits for Canadian workers, communities and industry,” he said.“Growing and strengthening Canada’s domestic supply chain through additional program and contract orders is one of the central objectives of the strategic partnership. Our priority will be to continue building a resilient, innovative supply chain,” Haggerty said. Dave Haggerty, vice-president and general manager of General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada, speaks at a news conference during the CANSEC defence trade show at the Cohere Centre in Ottawa on May 28, 2026. (Hyungcheol Park/Postmedia Network)The partnership comes as Ottawa looks to strengthen Canadian manufacturing amid a trade war with the United States that has led to the loss of more than 61,000 jobs in the sector since January 2025, according to Statistics Canada.For its part, the federal government has pledged more than $81 billion in defence spending over five years, which has piqued the interest of companies looking to pivot from their reliance on the auto sector, analysts say.Carney said the strategy will make Ottawa an “anchor customer” for partner companies, helping accelerate approvals and “open doors to new export markets.”Though additional work is expected through the agreement beyond the latest contract, Haggerty said GDLS-Canada is unlikely to stray from its expertise in building armoured vehicles.“Our core expertise is the design, manufacture, integration and support of light- and medium-armoured combat vehicles, and that will remain our primary focus,” Haggerty said.“Within that framework, there is significant potential to introduce new mission variants, technologies, protection systems, sensors, communications, digital architecture and other capabilities as the needs of the Canadian Armed Forces evolve,” he said.The 190 vehicles purchased by the federal government – based on GDLS-Canada’s Light Armoured Vehicle 6.0 platform already widely used by the Canadian Army – will expand the military’s fleet to 550 from 360 and will be used in training exercises at Canadian Armed Forces bases across the country, government officials said.The latest purchase order from Ottawa also comes after the federal government announced on July 8 an order of $400 million for 35 new light armoured vehicles for Ukraine, bringing to 225 the total number of new vehicles purchased from GDLS this month to 225.The contracts are expected to help support about 6,000 jobs and also create work in more than 100 communities across the country including Regina, Saskatchewan, Saint-Laurent, Quebec, and Enfield, Nova Scotia. 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