Armoured vehicles manufactured and used in Ontario

Armoured vehicles are used for private security and by municipal police forces to respond to high-risk calls in which violence or weapons are known or expected:

• Barricaded persons (suicides, domestic violence, etc.)
• K-9 back-up
• Prisoner escorts (where there is a high risk of escape or violence)
• High-risk warrant execution
• Witness protection
• VIP security
• Hostage rescue
• Sniper incidents
• Occurrences involving explosives

as well as at protests, public events such as Touch a-Truck and Grade 9 Bring Your Kid to Work Day and military events.

Video: Windsor Police’s Emergency Services Unit executing a search warrant using an armoured vehicle in March 2023.

Manufacturers

Manufacturers of armoured vehicles include:

General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada (GDLS-C), is an armored vehicle manufacturer based in London, Ontario with a unionized workforce owned by publicly-traded American military manufacturer General Dynamics Corporation (GD), headquartered in Reston, Virginia. They have donated armoured vehicles to:

• Chatham Kent Police
• Durham Regional Police
• London Police in 2005 and 2011

In March 2025, UNIFOR Local 27 – which represents General Dynamics Land Systems in London – says its hoping for a contract to build 400 Light Armoured Vehicles or the plan could run out of work by next year.

Terradyne Armored Vehicles Inc. is an armored vehicle manufacturer based in Newmarket, Ontario which incorporated in August 2011 as a subsidiary of Magna International.

Cambli Group is a family-owned armoured vehicle manufacturer based in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec owned by Véronique Tougas.

Department of National Defence

Donated:

• Grizzly variant to Edmonton Police Service in 2007
• Two Cougar variants to RCMP in British Columbia in 2010
• Cougar variant to New Glasgow Regional Police Service in Nova Scotia in 2013

Sault Ste. Marie

In 2009, Sault Ste. Marie Police received approval from the Police Services Board to purchase a Ballistic Armoured Tactical Transport vehicle from Chicago-based Armoured Group LLC at a cost of $255,000, including $30,000 in steel and transportation was donated by Essar Steel Algoma, which manufactured some of the armour plating.

OPP

In 2011, OPP purchased 2 armoured rescue vehicles for their Tactics and Rescue Units (TRU) from Cambli for over $400,000 each including HST.

RCMP

In 2012, the RCMP purchased 18 armoured trucks from Navistar Defence Canada for $14 million.

In 2012, the Government of Canada purchased 500 Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles (TAPV) from Textron Systems Canada Inc. for the Department of National Defence for $603.4M.

Hamilton

In 2013, Hamilton Police purchased a Tactical Rescue Vehicle (TRV) made by Terradyne Armoured Vehicles for its Tactical Support Unit (TSU) for $279,180. From then until 2023, HPS has spent $60,490 on parts and labour on the vehicle. In 2022, police put roughly 2,000 kilometres on the vehicle and put on 20,000 kilometres in ten years.

HPS refuses to detail what has happened in those 20,000 kilometres, saying it doesn’t track the data and has no plans to do so in the future.

The truck was used in 2023 in an hours-long stand-off with an armed man, a landlord who killed his two tenants, who was shot and killed by an officer through the turret hatch of the vehicle.

The Hamilton Police Services Board has approved $530,000 for a new armoured rescue vehicle in 2031.

Toronto

Toronto Police Service has at least one Terradyne Armored Vehicles Gurkha MPV variant for their Emergency Task Force.

In 2020, the Woodbridge contractors association was about to donate $275,000 to Toronto police for a new armoured vehicle to replace the existing one that was 14 years old, but pulled the plug after community backlash.

As of 2020, only 3 municipalities had more than one armored car in Canada: Edmonton, Calgary and Toronto.

Chatham Kent

In 2023, Chatham-Kent Police Service unveiled its new ARV donated by General Dynamics Land Systems, manufactured in London, Ontario and owned by publicly-traded American military manufacturer General Dynamics Corporation (GD), headquartered in Reston, Virginia. The service only paid $50,000 to refurbish the vehicle, including a full paint job. Since 1998 when the municipality was amalgamated, the police service had used a donated armoured money truck.

During the last six years, retired sergeant Paul Pomajba and Chief Gary Conn developed a relationship with General Dynamics, informing the company Chatham-Kent would be interested in a demo or prototype vehicle, should one become available.

Chatham Daily News

Police normally get serious calls where it would be required three to four times a year, but Chatham-Kent Police Chief Gary Conn said it could prove “invaluable” in high-risk situations, such as weapon incidents or in extreme weather.

Orillia Matters

Ottawa

In 2010, Ottawa Police Service purchased a Lenco G3 Bearcat armoured vehicle from Lenco Industries Inc. based in Massachusetts for $341,000.

York Region

In 2010, York Regional Police purchased a $340,789 from Cambli International Inc. for York’s Emergency Response Unit

He pointed out two incidents during which York police could have used an armored vehicle: A distraught man who threatened suicide in 2008 by igniting a car bomb on Hwy. 400 near Lloydtown-Aurora Road in King Township and a man accused of firing shots at police during a standoff in Georgina this summer.

YorkRegion.com

During a 2008 King Township bomb threat, Toronto police provided York use of its armored vehicle.

The Durham Regional Police TSU also has a mutual-aid agreement with the York Regional Police Emergency Response Unit. In the event of a large-scale event, or an incident that could take a significant amount of time, both departments provide assistance to one another.

Durham Region

In 2013, Durham Regional Police received a Tactical Rescue Vehicle (TRV) donated by General Dynamic Land Systems of London, Ontario.

It could be deployed to neighbouring jurisdictions if those communities have shared resource agreements with the DRPS.

Chief Constable Mike Ewles

Windsor

In 2013, Windsor Police Service received a Cougar variant of the Canadian military’s AVGP (Armoured Vehicle General Purpose) donated (purchased for $1) by the Department of National Defence (DND) valued at $300,158 and costs $1,000 to maintain per year.

Windsor police started inquiring about the armoured vehicle in 2011 when the Department of National Defence was decommissioning some of its vehicles and donating them to various police agencies.

CBC

In 2020, WPS purchased a Terradyne Gurkha Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) for almost $470,000 to replace the donated vehicle. It was spotted barricading streets in Windsor during the freedom convoy truckers protest on Saturday afternoon February 12th 2022.

Watch a video of it being deployed by the Emergency Services Unit in March 2023 during the execution of a search warrant.

Government of Canada

Canadian Armed Forces

In 2019, the Government of Canada purchased 360 combat support Light Armored Vehicles for the Canadian Armed Forces from General Dynamics Land Systems in London, Ontario for $2B.

In July 2022, the government sent 39 additional vehicles made by General Dynamics Land Systems to Ukraine for around $500M. In September 2023,

In September 2023, the Government of Canada purchased 50 more armoured vehicles from General Dynamics Land Systems to send to Ukraine.

In March 2025, UNIFOR Local 27 – which represents General Dynamics Land Systems in London – says its hoping for a contract to build 400 Light Armoured Vehicles or the plan could run out of work by next year.

Saudi Arabia

In 2009, the Harper government signed a USD$2.2B contract – the second-largest weapons export deal in Canadian history – to have American-owned General Dynamics Land Systems based in London, Ontario manufacture 724 light armored vehicles for Saudi Arabia. The sale was done through the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) program, which the US Department of Defense uses to supply weapons to allied and friendly regimes.

Canada was shipping new vehicles to the Saudi National Guard for at least three years during the Yemen war, was directly engaged in the one-sided conflict that killed hundreds of thousands of Yemenis.

A Breach investigation earlier this year revealed that the Canadian government believes its weapons sales to Saudi Arabia are crucial to maintaining the regime as an “integral and valued security partner,” listing access to oil, opportunities for Canadian companies and reduced need for Western military missions as its rationale.

In 2014, the Harper government signed a USD$10B contract – the largest weapons export deal in Canadian history – governed exclusively by Saudi law and subject to the Saudi judicial system – to have American-owned General Dynamics Land Systems based in London, Ontario manufacture 928 vehicles light armored vehicles for Saudi Arabia, which was later reduced to 742.

In its 2014 report Human Rights Watch alleged the government of Saudi Arabia remains a serial abuser of human rights.

In 2018, Canada put the vehicles on hold following the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi by agents of the Saudi government at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.

Gerry Macartney, the CEO of the London Chamber of Commerce, calls it the “largest export contract in Canadian history.” He says London’s economy would be devastated if it was pulled.

“General Dynamics is one of our larger employers and manufacturers not only in London, but in the region,” he says. “So these are very valued jobs in our community and across the country.”

Kera News

In 2020, the Government of Canada renegotiated the contract, lifting its ban on arms sales to Saudi Arabia.

Barrie

In 2016, Barrie Police Service bought a stripped-down armoured vehicle from Waterloo Regional Police for $5,000 that was originally owned by Bruce Nuclear. It then spent an additional $54,513.43 to build it into the Rescue 1 armoured vehicle. From 2016 to 2023 $38,000 was spent on repairs, annual licensing and maintenance, making the total cost to this point $97,513.43.

Barrie police communications co-ordinator said the number of times Rescue 1 has been deployed, the circumstances involved and how it is equipped are considered operational issues and not public information.

Kingston

In 2018, Kingston Police purchased a used BlackWolf for $265,000 in 2021 for their Emergency Response Unit after a request for proposals process which resulted in 2 bids:

The truck was purchased through a request for proposals process and was paid for under the force’s capital budget for fleet replacement, so only Chief Antje McNeely had to approve the purchase. The force also received a proposal from Terradyne Armoured Vehicles, Inc., but it scored a point lower than the Cambli and was $34,617 more expensive. The board would have only had to approve the purchase if the Cambli was more expensive.

Kingston Whig Standard

• In 2019, the Government of Canada purchased 360 combat support Light Armored Vehicles for the Canadian Armed Forces from General Dynamics Land Systems in London, Ontario for $2B.
• In July 2022, the government sent 39 additional vehicles made by General Dynamics Land Systems to Ukraine for around $500M. In September 2023,
• In September 2023, the Government of Canada purchased 50 more armoured vehicles from General Dynamics Land Systems to send to Ukraine.
• In March 2025, General Dynamics Land Systems.

Niagara Region

In 2019, after years of borrowing armoured rescue vehicles (ARV) from neighbouring Hamilton Police, Niagara Regional Police (NRP) purchased a Terradyne “Gurkha” armoured response vehicle (ARV) in a single source purchase from Newmarket-based Terradyne Armoured Vehicles Inc. for $300,000. Using a vehicle from the same company that neighbouring police forces use provides the ability to share resources.

London

In 2020, London Police purchased a light-armoured vehicle (LAV) from London-based General Dynamic Land Systems-Canada to replace two armoured vehicles donated by General Dynamic Land Systems in 2005 and 2011. Prior to the donation, police borrowed a LAV from the OPP, first in 2000 during an 11-hour standoff in Pond Mills that included dozens of rounds of gunfire after a man broke into his father’s gun cabinet. 

Here’s how often London Police have used the LAV:

• 2018: 3
• 2019: 2
• 2020: 6
• 2021: 20
• 2022: 16
• 2023: 25
• 2024-3 months: 10

The LAV was involved in the police response to a carjacking suspect who shot one person in southeast London on July 21, 2023. A tactical officer inside the LAV shot and killed Hernandez after he pointed his handgun at the armoured vehicle, Ontario’s police watchdog said in a report last month clearing the officer of any wrongdoing.

In 2023, London Police requested $492,000 to buy a second light-armoured vehicle (LAV) in 2026, but it did not pass.

Having just one LAV presents “limitations” for properly containing buildings and providing cover for officers and also puts the force at risk of not being able to respond to high-risk situations in the event of mechanical failure of its sole LAV

Draft city budget report

Peel Region

In 2020, Peel Regional Police, which covers Pearson International Airport, issued an RFP that received 4 bids and purchased a Roshel brand Senator Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) for their Tactical and Rescue Unit (TRU) from Roshel Inc. for $416,000.

Edmonton

In 2020, the Edmonton Police Service purchased one for approximately $500,000. According to EPS, the Black Wolf could be called to help patrol, drug or gang teams execute a warrant.

Peterborough

In 2020, Peterborough Police’s Emergency Response Team received a 2012 OshKosh Sandcat valued at less than $30,000 from an anonymous donor which asked to remain anonymous but turned out to be Ontario Power Generation.

PPS used the Sandcat 12 times in 2023:

• 5 drug warrants
• 1 weapons call
• 6 community events

Cornwall

In 2022, Cornwall Police Service purchased an armoured rescue vehicle (ARV) demonstration model for its emergency response team (CERT) from manufacturer Zodiac Engineering for $95,000 plus taxes. The previous vehicle was acquired in 1996 from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and had come to end of its service life.

Waterloo Region

In 2023, Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) purchased a new from armoured vehicle from Terradyne Armored Vehicle Inc. for $523,635.00.

Our current tactical armoured vehicle is utilized in high-risk situations that involve elevated risk(s) to the safety of the public, police, and/or subject(s). The vehicle may be deployed in several scenarios, including in hostage rescues, armed barricaded persons, conducting high-risk search warrants, arresting or apprehending subjects believed to have weapons, and responding to calls involving aircraft or elevated areas that our officers would not be able to reach otherwise.

Guelph

In 2024, Guelph Police purchased the Gurkha LAPV tactical armored patrol vehicle manufactured by Newmarket-based Terradyne Armored Vehicles Inc. from the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) for $20,000 since WRPS was in the market for a new armoured vehicle. The vehicle sold to Guelph was originally purchased from Ontario Power Generation. New models depending on the specs could be up to $650,000.

This is designed to provide our officers with some risk mitigation at those incidents where there’s a significant threat of violence or where we may encounter firearms. Specifically, it provides protection and really a place of safety for them to start to initiate their actions.

Staff Sergeant Michael Davis

Things like an active shooter situation, an armed barricade situation. we may use it for vehicle interdiction” … “The justification for this is those high risk but low frequency incidents. We have not had an active shooter incident. but this helps us to be prepared should we have to respond to on

Staff Sergeant Michael Davis

The Vancouver, Montreal and York Regional police departments, meanwhile, have each about the same amount of money on armoured vehicles, dubbed Thunder 1s, from Quebec-based Cambli International. Officials said vehicles are deployed one to three times a month on average.

Ottawa Citizen