Canada Donate 39 GDLS Armored Combat Support Vehicles (ACSV) to Ukraine

To help Ukraine defend its citizens and sovereign territory, Canada has promised to send 39 Armored Combat Support Vehicles (ACSV) to Ukraine. The ACSV that will be sent to Ukraine is a new type of vehicle that is already being delivered to the Canadian armed forces. This was revealed by Canadian defense minister Anita Anand during her visit to General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) Canada, the manufacturer of the vehicles. During the NATO leaders summit that was held in Madrid from 29 to 30 June 2022, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also announced that Canada is working on finalizing a deal to provide Ukraine with 39 GDLS Armored Combat Support Vehicles (ACSVs).

The Armored Combat Support Vehicle (ACSV) is a new 8×8 armored vehicle developed for the Canadian army based on the LAV 6.0 and that will replace the current Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) II Bison and M113 Tracked armored vehicle fleets. The LAV 6, sometimes written as LAV 6.0 or LAV VI, is the fourth generation of LAV, and is based on the LAV III. It first started entering service in 2013. The Canadian Army plans to replace its entire LAV fleet of various LAV II and LAV III variants with the LAV 6. The vehicle is being acquired in two main variants: a fighting vehicle equipped with the 25mm cannon seen on the LAV II and LAV III, and a support variant labelled the Armoured Combat Support Vehicle (ACSV).

Production on the first Canadian Armoured Combat Support Vehicle (ACSV) has begun in London, Ontario at the General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada manufacturing facilities. The contract for this project was awarded last September, and since then, a number of subcontracts have been awarded by General Dynamics to allow work to start. These subcontracts represent over $137 million in investments to more than 30 Canadian businesses from coast to coast to coast, creating and sustaining over 400 jobs across the country. These new vehicles will fulfill a variety of combat support roles such as that of Troop/Cargo Vehicle (TCV), ambulance, command post, and mobile repair and recovery.

This is a big step forward as the government continues to deliver on Strong, Secure, Engaged, Canada’s first fully costed and funded defence policy. As per the Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy, General Dynamics will re-invest an amount equal to the value of the contract to create and sustain well-paying jobs across the country. These vehicles will replace the current fleets of M113 Tracked Light Armoured Vehicle (TLAV) and the LAV II Bison. The first vehicle is expected roll off the production line this December, with deliveries occurring through February 2025. Testing, training, and procurement of spare parts will be required before the initial vehicles are distributed to Canadian Armed Forces bases in 2022.