Carney unveils defence industrial strategy to reduce reliance on U.S. gear

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a defence industrial strategy aimed at boosting domestic suppliers to roughly 70% of military procurement and building capacity across 10 designated sovereign capability areas.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a defence industrial strategy in Montreal aimed at rebuilding Canada’s defence industry and reducing reliance on U.S. suppliers. He said domestic firms currently supply less than one-third of military gear and that about three-quarters of defence capital spending goes to U.S. suppliers. The plan targets development across 10 categories of "sovereign capabilities," including ammunition, aerospace and drones. Carney said Canada has not invested enough in defence or defence industries and described those dependencies as vulnerabilities. Key facts: - The announcement took place at a news conference in Montreal. - The strategy sets a target of driving domestically sourced procurement to about 70% of overall military spending. - It focuses on 10 sovereign capability areas, with examples cited such as ammunition, aerospace and drones. - Officials reported that domestic firms now supply less than one-third of the country’s military gear and that much capital spending currently goes to U.S. suppliers. Summary: The strategy is intended to increase procurement from Canadian suppliers and to build capacity in specified capability areas. Details on implementation timing, procurement changes, and next procedural steps were not provided. Undetermined at this time.