In a long-awaited Request for Information (RFI) posted last Friday, the Government of Canada has released the preliminary requirements for the Canadian Army’s Indirect Fires Modernization (IFM) program. The primary objective of the IFM project is to replace the Army’s current M777 155mm towed howitzers with 80-98 new 155mm self-propelled howitzers. The newly defined scope also includes the procurement of up to 99 120mm mortar systems, which would be integrated into the LAV 6 ACSV (Armoured Combat Support Vehicle) and up to 85 81mm mortar systems integrated into a “Light Tactical Vehicle” OR up to 133 81mm mortar systems in the same configuration in lieu of the 120mm mortars. Additional support vehicles for ammunition carrier, command, and observation functions are also planned, but may be procured via existing or separate contracts in the future, rather than as part of a possible award for the gun systems.
The project scope also includes numerous other related elements, such as: fire control systems, communications equipment, simulators, training services, qualification of the Army’s existing munitions portfolio, new munitions (for which production licenses may be sought), in-service support/sustainment, and infrastructure investments for storage, maintenance & training facilities. Potential locations for those investments include Canadian Forces Bases: Shilo, Petawawa, Meaford, Valcartier and Gagetown.
The Canadian Army’s Regular Force artillery regiments currently operate a total of 33 M777s; Reserve Force artillery units operate a total of 121 105mm towed howitzers; and light infantry units operate a total of 218 81mm mortars. In this context the IFM would deliver a significant expansion of the indirect firepower of the Canadian Army. It has been one of Army Command’s top procurement priorities for several years and finally received the endorsement of the Government last April with its inclusion in the Defence Policy Update (DPU). The DPU did not specify an amount of funding to be allocated for the procurement of new tube artillery guns though. The RFI states that: “Following a funding decision by the Government of Canada, a second RFI will possibly be issued to request additional technical information and indicative pricing to support Project Approval.”
There has been a hot debate within the Army on the question of wheeled vs tracked for the new 155mm guns. The preliminary requirements detailed by the RFI are mostly unsurprising but reveal which side of that debate has almost certainly won. Within the mobility category, a road speed of 80km/h and operational range of 450km are specified. This would exclude the top tracked vehicle contenders: BAE’s M109A7 Paladin, the KNDS’ Panzerhaubitze 2000 and Hanwha’s K9 Thunder, which all come short on both speed and range. The exclusion of all the tracked options would have still left many wheeled vehicles that could have satisfied the other requirements; looking at “Lethality”, few 52 calibre systems would fall short here.
Lethality:
i. A 52-calibre 155mm howitzer system.
ii. Achieve a range up to 30km with conventional munitions (M795)
iii. Achieve a range up to 40km with a next generation base bleed projectile (M1128)
iv. Fire 155mm precision guidance projectiles (M982 & M1156)
v. Fire 155mm Sensor Fuzed Anti-Armour Munitions
vi. Multiple Round, Simultaneous Impact Capability
vii. Ability to detect and neutralize close range threats in a direct fire role
The third requirement for “Shoot and Scoot Capability” might go so far as to crown a winner already though.
Shoot and Scoot Capability:
i. One battery of six howitzers must engage a target with a minimum of 96 rounds and come out of action in less than a total of three minutes.
ii. Platforms must displace at least 500m in less than two minutes after firing in a tactical environment
iii. Must have the ability to fire to engage indirect targets while on the move.
The ability to fire on the move has only been demonstrated by KNDS’ RCH 155 Artillery Gun Module. If this requirement remains firm, then the only question would be whether the RCH 155 turret would be procured on KNDS & Rheinmetall’s Boxer platform, or General Dynamics’ Piranha IV 10×10. The Boxer RCH 155 is currently in service with the Ukrainian Army, and on order from the British Army to replace their AS-90s. The Piranha RCH 155 has been selected by the Swiss Army to replace their M109s. If the competition is only between these two options, the same turret on different platforms, then it would not be much of a competition. General Dynamics Land Systems Canada (GDLS-C) would also have the advantage of already being the Canadian Army’s main armored vehicle supplier, with the ability to produce the chassis domestically at their London, Ontario plant. Rheinmetall also has a facility in Quebec, although not with the same footprint as GDLS-C. The London plant produces the LAVs that the new self-propelled howitzers would be operating with. It will be worth watching closely to see if the firing on the move requirement is dropped either in an amendment or a future RFI. There are combat proven systems that would be able to submit bids in its absence, including the CAESAR from KNDS and the Archer from BAE.
There is also Elbit America’s SIGMA, which was selected alongside four other aforementioned options (K9, Boxer, Piranha, Archer) by the US Army to be included in a performance demonstration for their own Self-Propelled Howitzer Modernization program. Like RCH 155, SIGMA sports a full 360-degree turret, though the ability to fire on the move is not advertised. At the current stage of the US Army’s process, that is not an identified requirement. It is unclear what led the Canadian Army to make it a required feature. RCH 155, on either platform, will likely be highly competitive in both contests. Officials with Rheinmetall America that Defense Archives spoke to at the Association of the US Army conference last October were extremely confident that RCH’s high rate of fire (9 rounds per minute) and mobility positioned them well to win the US Army’s competition.
If the Government proceeds with the option of procuring 120mm mortar systems, then GDLS-C will certainly be receiving some additional orders. A mortar carrier variant of the ACSV is not currently contracted for delivery, so new vehicles would have to be built, following design and integration work with the vendor for the mortar system that is selected. One obvious option is Patria’s NEMO remote-controlled mortar turret. NEMO is also being evaluated by the US Army, with BAE demonstrating a AMPV prototype with the turret. A less complex solution would be to just put the mortar into the back of an ACSV with roof hatches, as the US Army currently does with their M1129 Stryker Mortar Carrier. For the 81mm mortar carrier requirement, the Government will consider viability of providing the Army’s current 81mm mortars as government furnished equipment to the contractor for integration into their light tactical vehicle solution.
With regard to the new munitions requirement under the program, potential vendors are advised that they would have to fulfill Canada’s Munitions Supply Program (MSP) requirements. The MSP is a framework agreement the Government has with 5 domestic producers of ammunition. Large calibre artillery ammunition requirements, both howitzer and mortar, are currently fulfilled cooperatively by IMT Defence and General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems-Canada (GD-OTS-C). IMT produces the howitzer shell bodies in their plants in Ontario and GD-OTS-C fills them with explosives at their Load, Assemble & Pack facility in Quebec. The Government will consider either sourcing the new ammunition from these vendors or partnership agreements between them and new vendors who may bid on the IFM program.
Such a partnership agreement would be key to satisfying the Government’s Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy too. Commonly known elsewhere as an “offset agreement”, the ITB Policy “requires companies awarded defence procurement contracts to undertake business activities in Canada equal to the value of the contract.” It applies to all defence procurements over $100 million, unless an exception is granted. Interested vendors will almost certainly have to comply with the ITB Policy for this tender. As part of the evaluation process, each company would have to submit a “Value Proposition (VP)”, which would detail the investments that would be made in Canada and the economic benefits to be accrued. Typically, the VP is weighted at 10-15% of the overall bid score, with the price and technical merits accounting for the rest. General Dynamics, having the largest presence in Canada out of any possible bidder, will likely start with an inherent advantage on the VP and overall bid price. The ability to fire indirectly while on the move is therefore a key requirement to watch. If it remains then there could be a coronation in short order, but if the Government removes or revises it, then there would likely be a wider competition.