National

U.S. secures contract to sell artillery rocket systems to Canada: Pentagon

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 May, 2026 09:28 AM

The Pentagon says it has secured a billion-dollar contract with Lockheed Martin to manufacture M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and related equipment for Canada and other allied countries.

An online notice this week says the U.S. defence company will create 17 such systems to address the "urgent needs" of their militaries.

Last October, the U.S. State Department approved the possible sale of the sophisticated rocket systems and related equipment to Canada.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has promised to hit Canada's NATO defence spending target — two per cent of GDP — through plans that include the acquisition of new aircraft, armed vehicles and ammunition.

Ottawa has said it is looking to add long-range precision strike capability and American officials said in October that Canada asked to buy 26 of the systems and other items.

The notice from the Pentagon says the systems will be complete by April 2028.

Picture Courtesy: AP Photo/Aaron Favila

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Removal underway for huge crane blocking Vancouver street

A City of Vancouver official says a huge crane that crashed down on a busy street will likely be removed in two days, after blocking the route for more than two weeks. Saul Schwebs says crews are "demolishing the crane, not salvaging it."

Removal underway for huge crane blocking Vancouver street

People with disabilities twice as likely to have food insecurity, StatCan report says

A new Statistics Canada report says people with disabilities are twice as likely to live in food insecure households than those without disabilities. The report used data from the 2021 Canadian Income Survey and found 26.4 per cent of respondents with a disability experienced some level of food insecurity, compared to 12.5 per cent of people without disabilities.

People with disabilities twice as likely to have food insecurity, StatCan report says

Patrols for fare evading transit riders

TransLink says it's boosting patrols for fare-evading transit riders. The transit operator says it's begun a blitz to deter riders from freeloading on the transit system, aimed at lessening fare evasion by five-million-dollars a year.

Patrols for fare evading transit riders

B.C. wildfires holding under 370 with 30 per cent classified as 'out of control'

The Calcite Creek fire in British Columbia's southern Interior is no longer considered a "wildfire of note," leaving three such blazes throughout the province. The BC Wildfire Service says two of those fires are classified as "being held," meaning they're expected to stay within their current or predetermined perimeters.

B.C. wildfires holding under 370 with 30 per cent classified as 'out of control'

Police allege Calgary man ran $1.3M Ponzi scheme centred on purported wine purchases

Police in Calgary have accused a man of running a Ponzi scheme involving purported wine purchases. They say seven complainants have come forward reporting a total of $1.3 million in losses.

Police allege Calgary man ran $1.3M Ponzi scheme centred on purported wine purchases

As hate-crime landscape evolves, a reminder — online behaviour exists in real life

A lawyer with the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association says it's wise to remember that even though charges over offensive social media activity are rare, online posts exist in real life and involve real people. Laws prohibit the willful promotion of hatred or public incitement of hatred against a specific group as well as the promotion of genocide.