Our Take
Canada has approved the export of the first $11 billion of a total $15 billion worth of light armored vehicles (LAV) to Saudi Arabia under a controversial foreign defense sales contract. The LAV is basically a turreted Stryker armored vehicle made by General Dynamics Land Systems. It is interesting to note that the Saudis, the United States’ number-one weapon export customer, has purchased the vehicles from Canada and that they have opted for a turreted Stryker. The U.S. military only now is retrofitting its Strykers with turrets and hefty 30mm cannons as a direct response to the vehicle’s lax offensive punch compared to Russia armor on the ground in Europe. For its part, Saudi Arabia has said it will use the vehicles not against its own people, but to pursue interests it shares with Canada, and presumably the U.S., in the Middle East.
OTTAWA — Documents provided by Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion’s office say the minister approved the export of $11 billion worth of the $15 billion in light armoured vehicles destined for Saudi Arabia as part of a controversial defence contract. Dion approved the export after government …