# Audit reveals military using half its ammunition

> Canadian military uses only 56% of assigned ammunition despite NATO readiness demands.
- Title: Audit reveals military using half its ammunition | Shortify
- Summary: Canadian military uses only 56% of assigned ammunition despite NATO readiness demands.
- Keywords: canada, army, navy, air force, strategic ammunition stockpile, nato readiness, military equipment, personnel shortages, defence budget, National Post
- Source: National Post — https://nationalpost.com/news/audit-finds-military-using-only-half-of-ammunition-purchases
- Author: Sarah Ritchie
- Published: 2026-10-29T14:01:05+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: canada, army, navy, air force, strategic ammunition stockpile, nato readiness, military equipment, personnel shortages, defence budget, news, politics
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Canada's armed forces use 56% of assigned ammunition due to equipment shortages and personnel gaps, risking NATO readiness.