From National Post · Sarah Ritchie · · 1m 20s
Audit reveals military using half its ammunition
Canadian military uses only 56% of assigned ammunition despite NATO readiness demands.
In brief
Canadian military uses only 56% of assigned ammunition despite NATO readiness demands. Canada's armed forces use 56% of assigned ammunition due to equipment shortages and personnel gaps, risking NATO readiness. Originally reported by National Post.
Audit finds military overestimating ammunition needs
The federal auditor general found the Canadian Armed Forces vastly overestimating regular ammunition needs for training and international missions.
Military uses only 56% of assigned ammunition
The five Canadian Armed Forces groups using 87% of regular ammunition are only using 56% of what’s assigned on average.
Navy uses 40% of assigned ammunition
The Navy uses 40% of its assigned ammunition in 2023-24 and 2024-25, struggling with recruitment shortfalls.
Ammunition stockpile gaps persist
Critical gaps remain in strategic ammunition stockpile despite replenishment efforts by the Department of National Defence.
Ammunition tracking system fails
National Defence uses two separate IT systems to track ammunition, causing data collection and management issues.
Ammunition stockpile not counted
About a third of National Defence locations missed annual ammunition counts, meaning $656 million worth of inventory was uncounted.
Defence minister responds
Defence Minister David McGuinty said the department will implement all recommendations to improve ammunition production and storage.
Political criticism of stockpile plan
Conservative critic James Bezan called the stockpile recovery plan too slow, noting 13 years is not fast enough for current threats.
The key point
Canada's armed forces use 56% of assigned ammunition due to equipment shortages and personnel gaps, risking NATO readiness.
