MEET SOME KEY LEADERS AT GENERAL DYNAMICS LAND SYSTEMS-CANADA
General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada a Strategic Defence Partner
General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada (GDLS-Canada) stands at the forefront of the defence industry in Canada. For almost 50 years, it has been Canada’s supplier of the highest- quality military vehicles and technologies that meet the Canadian Army’s current and future critical mission needs.
“We not only are a key player in Canada’s security but also a significant contributor to the country’s economy through job creation and sustainment, supply chain management and a robust commitment to innovation, advanced manufacturing and strategic partnerships,” says Jason Alejandro Monahan, Vice President and General Manager, General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada. “Our successes are a function of the skill, professionalism and expertise of our departmental leaders and their teams. Our people make the difference.”
A Strategic Defence Partner for Canada
As recognized in Canada’s defence policy, Our North Strong and Free, the changing geopolitical landscape reinforces the need for a strong North American defence manufacturing base. GDLS-Canada is vitally important to the nation’s defence industrial base and provides Canada with a sovereign defence manufacturing capability.
Gil Camirand is the Director of Canadian Programs at GDLS-Canada. He oversees the company’s Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) programs as well as the Logistics Vehicle Modernization (LVM) program.
“We play a critical role in providing capabilities for Canada’s military. Since 1977, we have evolved our capabilities and talent to be world-class. And we bring that to bear in providing the best solutions for Canada,” Camirand says.
“In addition to providing the backbone of the Canadian Army’s combat vehicle fleet, we have been entrusted, along with our LVM Power Team partners, to deliver Canada’s new fleets of light and heavy logistics vehicles, trailers, vehicle modules and armour protection kits under the LVM program. This contract was awarded last summer and, together with our partners Marshall Canada, Mercedes-Benz (Daimler Trucks), SOFRAME and Manac Inc., we are ensuring that the Canadian Army has a modern logistics fleet it can rely on. The LVM Team demonstrates that we can collaborate with global industry to bring the most capable solutions to the CAF. We’re proud to bring the next generation of logistics capability to the Canadian Army.”
GDLS-Canada also provides the Canadian Army with Armoured Combat Support Vehicles (ACSV). Based on the LAV 6.0 family of vehicles, the Canadian-designed and -manufactured ACSV comes in eight variants, including ambulances, command posts, maintenance and recovery vehicles, fitters and troop-carrying vehicles. These are the same vehicles that were manufactured to fulfill Canada’s donations to Ukraine, led by Lisa Hassan, GDLS-Canada’s ACSV Program Manager.
Camirand added, “We continue to work closely with the Canadian Army to deliver this capability. More important, we are engaged, ready and fully capable to quickly respond to Canada’s needs and requests, with shovel-ready programs that meet Canada’s immediate capabilities needs and urgent delivery timelines in an unpredictable future.”
The Importance of Supply Chain Management
In providing reliable defence solutions, GDLS-Canada recognizes that an effective and strong supply chain is central to its operational success. They collaborate with over 600 suppliers across Canada including Indigenous defence suppliers to deliver products and services to the Canadian military. This reflects a diverse network that enhances agility and resilience for Canada’s defence. This extensive supplier base ensures that GDLS-Canada can access the made-in-Canada materials and components necessary for the design and production of state-of-the-art military vehicles.
Christa Hammond, Director of Supply Chain Management at GDLS-Canada, stresses the importance of a strong supply chain. “We see the suppliers in our network as true partners – playing a key role in driving innovation, supporting local industries, and strengthening Canada’s national security. Sourcing from Canadian suppliers means GDLS-Canada is reinvesting in local communities and helping them thrive. It also builds resilience. With the world facing ongoing disruptions, having a strong and reliable domestic defence industrial base has never been more important.”
Made-in-Canada Advanced Manufacturing
Manufacturing is a pillar of Canada’s economy, and GDLS-Canada plays a vital role in this sector, particularly in advanced manufacturing. The company’s headquarters in London, Ontario, showcases cutting-edge engineering and production techniques that focus the evolving needs of customers.
Heather Damaren is GDLS-Canada’s Director of Manufacturing. She oversees manufacturing operations including weld and fabrication, assembly, quality assurance, manufacturing engineering, material control and facilities management.
“The integration of advanced technologies such as robotics, automation and data analytics within the manufacturing process not only improves productivity but also assures the quality of the vehicles being manufactured by our highly skilled team members,” Damaren said.
The Need for Sustaining Defence Industrial Capacity
Sustaining Canada’s defense industrial capacity and building an innovative industrial base is paramount in today’s rapidly evolving global landscape. Andrew Service is GDLS-Canada’s Business Development Manager for Canada.
“As threats become more sophisticated and diverse, there is an increasing need for Canada to ensure that its defence capabilities are robust and responsive,” Service says. “We are working closely with our Canadian Army counterparts to ideate solutions that align with the Army Commander’s four key priorities – artillery, rocket artillery, air defence and arctic mobility – to help position the Army for future conflicts and deployments.”
GDLS-Canada’s LAV 6.0, ACSV and LVM platforms can rapidly meet the Canadian Army’s current and emerging priority needs.
“By adding these priority needs to common platforms, we can accomplish many objectives,” Service says. “We can reduce Canada’s procurement risk, cost and timeline. We can support the military’s strategy that emphasizes interoperability and interchangeability with allied nations. We can leverage an existing logistics and spare parts network, utilize established, performance-based support contracting, and ensure that new capabilities share exceptional mobility and proven survivability solutions.”
Monahan concludes by saying, “At GDLS-Canada, we are steadfast in our commitment to supporting the Canadian Army by deeply understanding their modernization priorities. By leveraging lessons learned from recent and ongoing conflicts and insights gained from the Canadian-led multinational brigade training in Latvia, we are dedicated to supporting the Army’s vision of a modern, interoperable and relevant force. Not only will this drive Canada’s security and sustain Canada’s sovereign defence industrial capability, it will enable the Army to provide Canada with agile and reliable options to respond as needed, at home or abroad.”