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

Overview

The Munitions Supply Program (MSP) establishes a framework under which the Government of Canada sources ammunition and small arms for National Defence (DND) from unique domestic industrial facilities that have been designated as strategic sources of supply and centres of excellence

Procuring

Small arms, ammunition and related services

Suppliers

General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems—Canada (GD OTS-C)
Magellan Aerospace
IMT Defence
Colt Canada
HFI Pyrotechnics Inc.

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 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.

The program:

In 2015, DND committed to review and examine the policy, scope and governance of the MSP with an objective of reinvigorating the program. The MSP was reaffirmed in 2018 following this extensive program review. DND, PSPC and ISED work collaboratively with Canadian industry to implement improvements to the program.

Suppliers

The program previously allowed the Government of Canada to have access to products from 4 predetermined Canadian companies. In July 2020, HFI Pyrotechnics Inc. was added as a strategic source of supply and centre of excellence to provide pyrotechnic technologies under the MSP.

The 5 centres of excellence are:

  1. 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, Port Colborne and Welland, 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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