by Canadian Army Today Staff

The federal government has finalized a $35.8 million contract with GM Defense Canada for 90 lightweight, off-road tactical vehicles for Army units deployed to the Canadian-led NATO multinational brigade in Latvia.

The vehicles are being acquired under an urgent operational requirement to provide greater mobility and combat equipment transport to the formation in Latvia, which is in the process of scaling up from a multinational battle group to a full-strength brigade, with more than 2,200 Canadian soldiers. The brigade headquarters was officially stood up on July 3, 2024.

“Through this procurement and other key investments, Canada is doing its part to help scale up the multinational NATO battle group in Latvia to a full-size brigade – strengthening our defensive and deterrent posture on the Alliance’s eastern flank,” said Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, in a statement on July 23, 2024.

Through the Light Tactical Vehicle (LTV) project, the Army will receiver 36 cargo and 54 personnel variants of the platform, based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2.

The personnel variant can transport up to nine soldiers, while the cargo variant is designed for two to four soldiers and larger cargo. “Light Forces equipped with a combination of cargo and personnel variants will be able to carry weapons, personal effects, and combat supplies for 72 hours of self-sufficient operation,” the Department of National Defence stated.

Under the contract, GM Defense Canada, based in Oshawa, Ont., will provide integrated logistics support and up to two years of spare parts for the LTV fleet.

The deal also includes the option for up to an additional 18 LTV.

The Army expects to receive the first five vehicles before the end of July, to begin initial cadre training in late August 2024. The rest of the fleet will be delivered to Latvia by early October 2024 for a NATO training exercise.

“We are providing this critical capability to the Canadian Armed Forces within a timeline that meets their urgent operational requirement,” said Steve duMont, president of GM Defense. “We see this contract award as the beginning of a long strategic partnership with the Canadian Armed Forces to provide enhanced tactical mobility for soldiers today, and into the future.”

LVT is the first, and smaller phase of the Light Forces Enhancement (LFE) project, which will eventually deliver up to 222 tactical mobility platforms to the Army’s light battalions and other Regular and Reserve units, in the cargo and personnel variants, along with 23 light trailers.

LFE will be delivered through a separate, competitive bidding process, DND noted, which could mean a different fleet of tactical platforms. The timelines for LFE are still being finalized.

“The LTV contract is an important step toward revitalizing the Canadian Army’s Light Forces. It will enhance our range and response times both at home and abroad,” said recently appointed Army commander LGen Michael Wright.

“Our Light Forces can be called to deploy on very short notice in any type of environment and the Army has been seeking that type of platform in larger numbers for many years. Once received, we intend to deploy most of these vehicles to Latvia in the fall. By being positioned on the eastern border of the Alliance, these platforms will enable the quick projection of a light infantry battle group to Latvia to reinforce the Forward Land Forces (Brigade led by Canada. Through this investment, the [Army] is not only improving its operational readiness, but is also enhancing its deterrence posture on the eastern flank of NATO.”

The Colorado ZR2-based platform weighs less than 2,232 kilograms (5,000 pounds) and features a high percentage of commercial-off-the-shelf parts, according to GM Defense, allowing for maintenance support and parts sustainment through GM’s global supply chain. DND estimates the life expectancy for the fleet is 15 years.

“General Motors’ support of the Canadian Armed Forces with this contract is a prime example of the meaningful contributions GM makes in Canada,” said Kristian Aquilina, president and managing director of GM Canada. “Whether it’s the supply of light tactical vehicles through GM Defense Canada, or the contributions of our Canadian Technical Centre in supporting the development of those vehicles, we are pleased GM can also make an impact in the defence space.”