by Ken Pole
Well, not really, because the new semi-automatic Sig Sauer P320s finally chosen as replacement for the Canadian Armed Forces’ legacy Browning Hi-Powers come with their own holsters.
Defence Minister Anita Anand confirmed that a US$3.2-million contract has been awarded to M.D. Charlton Company Ltd. of Victoria, B.C. The contract involves an initial delivery of at least 7,000 to the Canadian Army, beginning in mid-2023. It also covers spares and operator and maintenance training.
There is an option in the contract for up to 9,500 more to cover remaining Army requirements as well as those of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Canadian Navy and Military Police. The overall potential worth to M.D. Charleton is estimated at US$7.6 million.
“Replacing the Browning 9mm . . . will help ensure the continued operational readiness and effectiveness of all our members,” Anand said in a statement. Her cabinet colleague at Public Services and Procurement Canada, Helena Jaczek, echoed that, saying that in addition to giving troops “modern reliable pistols,” the contract supports “economic opportunities” for domestic industry.
The mostly composite full-frame modular P320, designated C-22 for the CAF, was regarded as the lead candidate since the need for new pistols was identified more than a decade ago. It uses the same nine-millimetre ammunition as the Brownings and has similar ballistics. Additionally, it offers expanded magazine capacity. It is not only lighter, it also has better ergonomics in that it can be used effectively by left- and right-handed shooters.
A key element in the final selection is that the P320 – proven by Danish and U.S. forces, among others – features a loaded chamber indicator (LCI) which is readily visible to shooters rather than one requiring physical confirmation which can be compromised by gloves.
Good news, but….
Why are only 7,000 being purchased? For $7M we could
buy the full 16,500 required across the services. That amount isn’t even a rounding error in the budget. It’s perhaps equal to an unspent contingency sent back to a project office at completion. Can anyone shed any light on this, please?
Couldn’t the magazine have featured photo of the P320 for this article – or a US Army soldier handling one?
That is a Canadian Soldier, firing the current service pistol.
Indeed it is, but why use it if the article is about the P320?
Read the article…
The 3.2M is for the initial 7000 pistols
there will be follow on contracts for the remaining 9000 pistils required
I read it quite carefully. It said that the “potential” worth is $7M. The use of the word “potential”, and the reference to “options” means that there is currently no firm commitment to get the full meal deal, even though the additional costs seems paltry. I hope that this doesn’t come to pass, but this may be end up being yet another DND project that secures only minimum capability. Options are not always exercised, are they?
The French military use the Glock not the sig get your information right
Fixed the French connection!