Canada Unveils New Grizzly Wheeled Self-Propelled Artillery System Based on LAV Armored Vehicle

General Dynamics Land Systems Canada (GDLS) has unveiled the new 155-mm Grizzly LAV self-propelled artillery system. The platform was developed to participate in a program by the Canadian Army, which plans to acquire approximately 100 new mobile artillery systems.

This was announced by GDLS Canada Corporate Communications Manager Jay Hancock in a comment to The London Free Press, as well as by the company’s press service on LinkedIn.

The official presentation of the combat vehicle took place on Friday at the Cansec 2026 military conference in Ottawa.

The self-propelled gun is based on the chassis of the LAV 6 light armored vehicle, which the company already manufactures in series at its plant in London (a city located in the province of Ontario, Canada, in Middlesex County).

To create this self-propelled system, the Canadian company joined efforts with the German KNDS Deutschland. The European partner is supplying a 155-millimeter artillery system for the project.

The Grizzly turret holds 30 rounds of ammunition. According to the developer’s press release, the system has a rate of fire of 8 rounds p/min and is capable of engaging targets at a range of up to 70 km.

The artillery system’s crew consists of three or 4 people. While on the move, the combat vehicle reaches speeds of up to 100 km/h.

Since the new design uses the LAV 6 armored vehicle platform, it shares many maintenance features with equipment already widely used by the Canadian Army. According to Jay Hancock, the familiar platform will remove the need for extensive retraining of military personnel.

The Army is seeking to replace its aging artillery as part of a $5 billion modernization program.

The federal government, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, has prioritized the procurement of domestically produced military equipment.

If the company wins the contract, the howitzer hulls will be manufactured at a London plant. The gun systems will also be delivered there for final turret assembly. Jay Hancock noted that even the steel will be supplied by the Canadian company Algoma.

It is currently unknown which other manufacturers will submit bids for the project or whether other Canadian companies will be involved in competitive proposals. Jay Hancock declined to comment on the cost of the new vehicle.