Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday announced a nearly C$2 billion investment to procure 190 new armored combat support vehicles, saying Canada must strengthen its military and defense industry to respond to a more dangerous global security environment. <\/p>\n
Speaking at General Dynamics Land Systems Canada in London, Ontario, Carney said the investment is part of a broader effort to modernize the Canadian Armed Forces while boosting domestic manufacturing and employment, News.Az<\/a> reports.<\/p>\n “If we want a stronger world, if we want a safer world, we need a stronger Canada,” Carney said.<\/p>\n The government said the funding will expand Canada’s armored combat support vehicle fleet to 550 vehicles, with all new vehicles to be manufactured at the London<\/a> facility.<\/p>\n Carney said the partnership with General Dynamics will create and sustain more than 6,000 high-paying Canadian jobs annually over the next eight years, while strengthening domestic supply chains and Canada’s industrial base.<\/p>\n Framing the announcement within Canada’s evolving defense strategy, Carney said the international security landscape has fundamentally changed.<\/p>\n “In this more dangerous and divided world, Canadian leadership will be defined not just by the strength of our values, but also the value of our strength,” he said.<\/p>\n The prime minister cited growing threats ranging from Arctic incursions and cyberattacks to the rapid proliferation of drones, autonomous systems and hypersonic missiles, arguing that Canada’s military requires next-generation equipment to meet future challenges.<\/p>\n Carney said the investment follows a series of major defense procurements, including plans to acquire up to 12 submarines and additional surveillance and strike capabilities, as Ottawa seeks to reinforce its commitments to NATO and North American security.<\/p>\n He added that Canada has already reached NATO’s 2% defense spending benchmark for the first time since the end of the Cold War and aims to increase defense spending to 4% of GDP by the end of the decade.<\/p>\n