GM Defense Canada, a division of GM Defense, has secured a C$35.8 million contract with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to provide 90 light tactical vehicles (LTVs).
The agreement also includes an option for up to 18 additional LTVs, as well as training, technical manuals, and extra vehicle components from Canadian suppliers.
Under this contract, GM Defense Canada will deliver nine-passenger LTVs and a new utility variant, both based on designs already used by the U.S. Army.
These vehicles are set to enhance the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence Multinational Battlegroup in Latvia, improving the Soldiers' operational effectiveness by boosting their speed, range, and safety in difficult terrains.
Steve duMont, head of GM Defense said “they are providing this critical capability to the Canadian Armed Forces within a timeline that meets their urgent operational requirement.”
“We see this contract award as the beginning of a long strategic partnership with the Canadian Armed Forces to provide enhanced tactical mobility for Soldiers today and into the future. As we further expand into Canada and with other allied nations around the world, we will continue to leverage the vast resources of General Motors to ensure our global defense and government customers have the best capability to accomplish their mission,” duMont said.
“General Motors’ support of the Canadian Armed Forces with this contract is a prime example of the meaningful contributions GM makes in Canada,” Kristian Aquilina, president and managing director of GM Canada, said for his part.
“Whether it’s the supply of light tactical vehicles through GM Defense Canada or the contributions of our Canadian Technical Centre in supporting the development of those vehicles, we are pleased GM can also make an impact in the defense space,” he noted.
GM Defense Canada’s LTVs are built on the mid-size platform of the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and incorporate a high proportion of Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components, including Chevrolet Performance parts to boost off-road capabilities.
Weighing under 5,000 pounds (2,232 kilograms), these nimble tactical vehicles are designed for air transport and offer straightforward maintenance with parts accessible through GM’s global supply chain.
The LTVs are known for their reliability and ease of operation, and they come equipped with both active and passive safety features that meet the CAF’s performance and safety standards.
