Munitions Supply Program

Explore the program that has provided members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) with high-quality munitions, small arms and related services for over 40 years.

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Program at a glance

The Munitions Supply Program (MSP) establishes a framework under which the Government of Canada sources ammunition, small arms and associated equipment for the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Equipment is purchased from unique domestic industrial facilities that have been designated as strategic sources of supply and centres of excellence.

Program description

The MSP was created in the 1970s to secure a national capability for the supply of critical ammunition, small arms and associated equipment to the DND and the CAF. It encourages the development of a viable and competitive industry that provides Canada with long-term industrial and economic benefits. The program has contributed to creating and maintaining thousands of Canadian jobs.

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) manages the program, while DND is responsible for developing program policies, establishing requirements and securing funding. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) contributes its expertise to the program by assisting with program governance, in addition to innovation and research efforts.

While DND is the MSP’s largest user, the program is available to other government departments and agencies such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Correctional Services Canada (CSC), and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG).

The program:

Given the increasingly precarious global security environment and the fragility of global supply chains, it is crucial to strengthen the Canadian munitions industry while ensuring the needs for equipment is met, at the best value for Canadians. We continue to work collaboratively with Canadian industry to implement improvements to the program.

Suppliers

The 5 suppliers are as follows:

  1. General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems—Canada (GD OTS-C): Production of small, medium and large calibre ammunition, propellants and explosives
    • GD OTS-C has 3 plants and access to a government-owned munitions experimental test centre in Quebec
      • Ammunition load, assemble and pack plant, and corporate headquarters—Repentigny
      • Metal forming plant—Saint-Augustin
      • Energetic materials plant—Valleyfield
      • Government-owned munitions experimental test centre—Nicolet
  2. Magellan Aerospace: Rockets, illumination flares and rocket propellant—Winnipeg, Manitoba
  3. IMT Defence: Forged projectiles and specialized machining—Ingersoll and Port Colborne, Ontario
  4. Colt Canada: Manufacture and provide life-cycle support for small arms fleets—Kitchener, Ontario
  5. HFI Pyrotechnics Inc.: Search and rescue markers, training equipment and other pyrotechnic technology—Prescott, Ontario

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