Carney names General Dynamics as Canada's first defence 'strategic partner,' with $2B vehicle contract

Prime Minister Mark Carney named General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada as Ottawa's first "strategic partner" under a new defence industrial strategy on July 16, 2026, at the company's London, Ontario plant. The designation came with a nearly $2-billion, four-year contract to build 190 armoured combat support vehicles, expanding the Army's fleet from 360 to 550. The partnership is expected to sustain over 6,000 jobs annually across 600-plus Canadian suppliers.