Vanguard Magazine

36 APRIL/MAY 2026 www.vanguardcanada.com Sponsored Content PERSPECTIVE THE LIGHT ARMOURED VEHICLE (LAV) IS THE BACKBONE OF CANADA'S FIGHTING VEHICLE FLEET ment system, tying procurement more strategically to domestic industrial ben- efits – creating new careers, growing the economy, and supercharging innovation. The goal is clear: reduce complexity, move faster, and provide Canadian industry with greater clarity and predictability — ensur- ing the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have the world-class equipment they need. Building on this momentum, Canada launched the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) earlier this year. The strategy sets out a vision for a strong, resilient Cana- dian defence industry — one that delivers technological and operational advantage to the CAF and its allies, while driving economic growth, innovation, and job creation across the country. Central to this idea is the DIS's sec- ond pillar – the "Build–Partner–Buy" framework which focuses on fostering made-in-Canada solutions and reducing traditional reliance on foreign military equipment and the establishment of key sovereign capabilities. This is not simply an economic objective — it is an opera- tional imperative. Sovereign capability in defence delivers speed, flexibility, and strategic advantage. It strengthens Canada's position among al- lies and, most importantly, secures control. GDLS-Canada ensures Canada-focused approach to capability development and investment. When land armoured vehicles are designed and manufactured in Cana- da, decisions about upgrades, repairs, and modifications remain in Canadian hands. The intellectual property developed is Ca- nadian. Capabilities can be adapted quickly to meet evolving threats, and systems can be tailored specifically to Canadian mis- sions, geography, and operational require- ments. Therefore, there is no dependency on foreign approvals for critical changes to the end-item platform. This approach is not new. For nearly 50 years, GDLS-Canada has been designing, building, fielding and supporting LAVs in Canada, by Canadians, for Canadians. Accelerating Defence Procurement Delivering capability at the pace required by today's security environment also de- mands a more agile and responsive pro- curement system. GDLS-Canada's long-standing relation- ship with the Government of Canada and the CAF provides a deep understanding of operational requirements, procurement processes, and the realities of delivering complex capability. This positions the company well to support the government's evolving "Build–Partner–Buy" procure- ment model, which aims to increase do- mestic procurement to 70 percent. This model reflects an approach GDLS- Canada has applied for decades. The com- pany builds where it has core expertise, partners with Canadian and international industry to integrate leading technologies and procures externally where it makes sense. This balanced approach ensures both capability excellence and industrial strength. However, sustaining this capability re- T he General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada (GDLS-Can- ada) LAV 6.0 family of vehicles remains a highly capable, pro- tected, platform. It continues to evolve to meet emerging threats, incorpo- rating new technologies and capabilities to ensure Canadian soldiers remain protected and effective on the modern battlefield. Modern conflict is increasingly defined by what military leaders call the "fight for information." Success on today's battle- field depends on the ability to see first, un- derstand faster, and act decisively. For Ca- nadian soldiers, this means being trained and equipped to generate and sustain ef- fects, and not only to move and fight, but to sense, process, and share information in real time. Canada's next generation of armoured combat vehicles will reflect this reality. Built on an open digital architecture and equipped with advanced sensors, these platforms will integrate data from un- crewed systems and multiple sources, en- abling commanders to detect threats ear- lier, share critical information seamlessly, and maintain superior situational aware- ness in even the most complex operating environments. But technology alone is not enough. Equally important is where — and how — this capability is developed, built, and sustained. Sovereign Capability The government's recent creation of a De- fence Investment Agency intends to mod- ernize and streamline Canada's procure- Visit to GDLS-Canada by the Minister of National Defence – London, Ontario (March 2026). Photo: GDLS-Canada Op REASSURANCE,

• Cover