Edmonton-based company will upgrade Canadian Forces’ fleet of Light Armoured Vehicles
Edmonton, Alberta, October 21, 2011 — The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women announced that the Government of Canada has awarded a contract to General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada (GDLS – C) for the implementation phase of the Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) III Upgrade Project.
“This announcement is good news for our Canadian Forces, for Canadian workers, and for the Canadian economy,” said Minister Ambrose. “This contract helps to sustain over 110 jobs right here in Edmonton. In turn, this work will help to protect our women and men in uniform in land combat vehicles.”
Canada’s LAV III vehicles have served the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan and other areas of operation. They are state-of-the-art combat vehicles used to transport infantry on the battlefield while providing defensive protection and firepower.
The LAV III Upgrade Project Implementation Phase contract is necessary to improve the protection of these vehicles against mines and improvised explosive devices, improve their mobility, improve the safety of Canadian Forces members travelling on board the LAV III, and incorporate ergonomic and information management improvements. The contract, valued at $1.064 billion, will upgrade 550 LAV IIIs, extending their lifespan to 2035.
The Industrial and Regional Benefits (IRB) Policy will apply to this contract. The IRB Policy ensures that economic benefits flow to Canada as a result of defence procurements, which means that General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada will be required to re-invest into Canada 100 per cent of the contract value, further expanding the economic benefits from this procurement in regions across the country. This contract is part of over 60 major procurements subject to the IRB Policy, which represents over $20 billion in IRB commitments from major defence contractors.
