General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada (GDLS-C) unveiled its contender for the Canadian Army’s Indirect Fires Modernization (IFM) programme at CANSEC 2026, held in Ottawa on 27-28 May 2026.
The Grizzly is a 10 x 10 version of the Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) currently in service with the Canadian Forces. It is equipped with the KNDS-Germany Artillery Gun Module (AGM), featuring a 155mm L52 howitzer. The AGM is a fully unmanned turret with automatic loading, gun laying, and firing capabilities, including on-the-move firing. The AGM can target objects up to 70 km away and can operate with a crew of three. The AGM is already in service or entering service within NATO; it was selected by the Swiss for the 10 x 10 Piranha IV (which shares a design with Grizzly), as well as by the United Kingdom and Germany for the Boxer chassis. The AGM Boxer has also been supplied to Ukraine.
Canada’s Indirect Fires Modernisation (IFM) programme outlines a major upgrade for the Army’s artillery, including the acquisition and deployment of up to ninety-eight self-propelled howitzers to replace the current M777 towed howitzers. Additionally, the IFM aims for a significant procurement of 120mm mortars mounted on the LAV. The Ministry of Defence issued its formal Request for Information (RFI) in March 2025 and is now conducting Options Analysis and further project definition. One of the criteria in the RFI was for indirect fire systems to not only perform short halt “shoot and scoot” engagements but to carry out the entire fire mission while on the move. This capability is currently available in only a few systems, including the AGM.
The GDLS-C and KNDS collaboration develops an advanced artillery system based on a chassis that is actively produced and already in service in Canada, with ongoing support within the force. The Grizzly platform aligns with the broader wheeled combat vehicle structure of the Canadian forces and would suit its operational tempo. Having both a wheeled platform for the forward combat force and comparable mobility for supporting indirect fires provides tactical advantages. The shared design of these platforms also offers significant benefits in maintenance, training, and logistics.
Other artillery systems that could be candidates for IFM include the truck-based BAE Systems Archer and KNDS-France CAESAR, as well as the Korean Hanwha K9 Thunder tracked howitzer. The immediate IFM requirement is to acquire new mobile artillery to support the Canada-led NATO multinational brigade in Latvia. GDLS-C’s display of actual hardware fully responsive to the Canadian Army’s needs aims to make a compelling case that it can meet these objectives.
by Stephen W. Miller
