Dorchester firm waiting for green light to retool LAVs for Ukraine

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A London area military defence contractor is pledging light armoured vehicles it is rebuilding for Ukraine will be faster, better armoured and more lethal than ever.

Now, if they can only get federal government approval to do the work.

Armatec Survivability, in Dorchester, has an agreement to rebuild 24 armoured vehicles that have been scrapped but will be shipped to Ukraine when ready for action.

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“It is breakthrough technology that has not been seen before. It will be leading technology for Ukraine,” said Karl Pfister, Armatec chief executive. 

“This is not just refurbishing but an upgrade to new capabilities needed on the battlefield. It is a game-changer.”

But Armatec has to first get in the game.

The vehicles were transferred to Armatec in January after an agreement with the Department of National Defence but talks with the federal government are ongoing and there is no end in sight, Pfister said.

“It is complicated negotiations with the federal government,” he said.

Pfister said he could not elaborate on why the talks have dragged on, citing confidentiality agreements with Canadian Commercial Credit Corp. (CCCC), a federal government agency.

Armatec makes armour for wheeled and tracked military vehicles and is a supplier to General Dynamics Land Systems Canada on Oxford Street that makes light armoured vehicles.

Canada’s Defence Minister Bill Blair agreed in January to have Armatec do the work.

The ministry could not be reached for comment on Friday.

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The vehicles to be rebuilt are from an older pool of LAV II and Bison vehicles made by GDLS-Canada, which now assembles LAV VI and LAV 700 models. 

David Perry, senior analyst with the Canadian Defence and Foreign Affairs Institute, said he’s not surprised with the delay, noting military contract negotiations can drag on.

“It takes a long time to iron out the details, especially when these were production vehicles made by GDLS that are being redirected from Canadian to Ukraine books, “ he said.

The fact Armatec is rebuilding work done by an existing military supplier makes it “more complicated,” Perry said. 

“I am not surprised. They are refurbishing pieces. Does the work conform to GDLS products?”

But it is not the first time military supplies have been delayed. Rocket and air defence systems pledged to Ukraine from Canada also took several months to deliver, when they were in storage and did not need refurbishing, Perry said.

“Sending military vehicles always takes much longer than it should,” he said.

GDLS could not be reached for comment Friday.

Earlier this month, Blair announced 10 armoured vehicles, to be used as military ambulances, will be delivered to Ukraine. In addition 40 troop and cargo LAVs from GDLS will be delivered to Ukraine in 2025.

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Canada also is sending decommissioned, surplus chassis from older LAVs, to be used for spare parts in Ukraine.

“The (support) is a testament to the unity and commitment of allies and partners to provide Ukraine with the crucial capabilities it needs to fight for its sovereignty and security,” Blair said in a release earlier this month. 

“What happens in Ukraine will help determine the trajectory of global security. Canada’s support for Ukraine remains unwavering and we will continue to do what it takes to help Ukraine win this war.”

That September announcement by Blair also said:

• Ukraine air force pilots have arrived in Canada for F-16 fighter training.
• 80,840 additional CRV-7 rocket motors and 1,300 warheads will be sent to Ukraine. 
• Ukraine forces will be trained on Skyranger drones donated by Canada.
• Canada delivered about $200,000 worth of IT equipment to Ukraine.

Since 2022, Canada has committed $4.5 billion in military assistance to Ukraine.     

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