Medium support vehicle system project

Project summary

Through the Medium Support Vehicle System (MSVS) Project, the Government of Canada acquired a new fleet of medium capacity logistics trucks for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to replace its fleet of Medium Logistics Vehicle Wheeled (MLVW) trucks in service since the 1980s. In addition, the project acquired new ISO container-based mobile workspaces or “kitted shelters” that provide medical, dental, workshop, field kitchen, command post capabilities among others.

These new trucks and ancillary equipment provide lift and logistical support on the ground, and transport equipment and supplies where they are needed most both at home and abroad.

The MSVS is a multi-phased project that is composed of five components:

Project phases

Currently in Phase 4: Implementation

1. Identification

1. Identification

  • October 20, 2000
2. Options analysis

2. Options analysis

  • July 15, 2004
3. Definition

3. Definition

  • Project approval: February 22, 2006
4. Implementation

4. Implementation

  • Revised project approval phase 2: June 19, 2009
  • Project approval phase 3: November 29, 2012
  • Contract award phase 3: December 21, 2012
  • First delivery phase 3: January 16 2014
  • Project approval – phase 4: May 28, 2015
  • Project approval – phase 5: May 28, 2015
  • Standard Military Pattern (SMP) contract award: June 11, 2015
  • Final delivery phase 3: November 11, 2016
  • SMP first delivery: April 4, 2018
  • SMP delivery complete: April 2020
  • SMP Full operational capability: February 18, 2021
  • Effective project closure: spring 2021
5. Close-out

5. Close-out

  • Project close-out: fall 2022

Learn more about the Defence procurement process.

Additional information

Project updates

Project updates

September 2020
The last of 161 Armoured Protection Systems are received.

June 2020
A five-year in-service support contract extension was awarded to Mack Defence LLC.

April 2020
The last of 1587 trucks and 322 trailers are now received.

December 2019
The first SMP trucks are deployed to Latvia in support of Op REASSURANCE.

August 2019
Equipment is received in CFB Edmonton, CFB Petawawa, CFB Valcartier, and the Army Equipment Fielding Centre (AEFC) in Montreal. Deliveries include 918 of1587 trucks, 317 of 318 trailers and 47 of 161 APS.

March 2019
Equipment is received in CFB Edmonton, CFB Petawawa, CFB Valcartier, and the Army Equipment Fielding Centre (AEFC) in Montreal. Deliveries include 262 of 1587 trucks, 230 of 318 trailers and 19 of 161 APS.

November 2018
The first Armoured Protection Systems (APS) are delivered to Montreal.

April 2018
Deliveries of the Standard Military Pattern truck began at CFB Edmonton.

December 2017
A contract option exercised to support the Medium Logistic Vehicle (MLV) project, adding 14 trucks and four trailers.

July 2017
Final designs for the trailers are accepted.

June 2017
Following additional requirements to support the Medium to Heavy Lift Helicopter (MHLH) project, we exercised an option to request an additional 36 trucks, four APS, and 14 trailers.

November 2016
Delivery of the last kitted shelter from DEW Engineering completed.

June 2015
Two contracts were awarded to Mack Defense for the procurement of over 1500 Standard Military Pattern trucks, 300 trailers and 150 armoured protection systems.

February 2015
The CAF obtains all 994 purchased shelters (plus one prototype) from DEW Engineering.

January 2014
The first delivery of kitting for baseline shelters was received.

December 2012
A contract was awarded to DEW Engineering for kitting of the baseline shelters.

May 2012
The first baseline shelters were delivered.

March 2011
The MSVS project receives all 1300 purchased MilCOTS from Navistar Defense LLC.

July 2009
A contract was awarded to DEW Engineering for baseline shelters.

June 2009
The first delivery of MilCOTS truck was received.

January 2009
A contract awarded was to Navistar International for Militarized Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (MilCOTS) trucks.

Industry

Benefiting Canadian Industry

Industrial and regional benefits

Industry consultations occurred every year for this project from the definition phase onward. Consultations also took place before and during the development of procurement products such as the request for proposals. Some engagements of note include:

  • 2006: Project industry day.
  • 2007: Industry day for phase 1 and industry briefings for phase 4.
  • 2008: Industry day for phase 2 and industry information session for phase 4.
  • 2009 and 2010: Meetings with potential phase 4 bidders.
  • 2011: Meetings with potential phase 3 and 4 bidders.
  • 2012: Bidders’ conference for phase 4.
  • 2013: One-on-one meetings with industry and bidders’ conference for phase 4.

The Industrial and Regional Benefits Policy was applied to this project. As of August 2019, total IRB obligations are as follows:

  • MilCOTS: $270 million of $270 million completed.
  • Baseline shelters: $164 million of $164 million completed.
  • Standard Military Pattern truck acquisition: $411 million completed and $297M in progress of $707 million.
  • Standard Military Pattern in-service support: $12 million completed and $21.3M in progress of $43 million.

For more information, please visit Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s website:

Contractors

Some of the links below lead to websites that are not part of the Government of Canada and are available in English only.

Technical information

About the Medium Support Vehicle System Project (MSVS)

MSVS technical specifications

MilCOTS Specifications

  • Length: 11.1 metres
  • Maximum Towed Load: 10 tonnes
  • Crew: 1 to 23 (depending on variant)
  • Variants: 6

Shelters Specifications

  • Length: 6.1 metres
  • Maximum Gross Weight: 7,000 kg – 10,000 kg (depending on variant)
  • Crew: 2 to 12 (depending on variant)
  • Variants: 6
  • Configurations: 28

SMP Specifications

  • Length: nominal 10 – 11 metres (depending on variant)
  • Rated Capacity: 9.5 tonnes
  • Crew: 1 to 27 (depending on variant)
  • Variants: 5
    • Cargo;
    • Cargo with Material Handling Crane;
    • Load Handling System;
    • Mobile Repair Team; and
    • Gun Tractor.
Project costs

Project costs

The cost of the MSVS project is $1.5 billion, including $50 million for major in-service support contracts.

Costs include:

  • Vehicles;
  • Kitted shelters;
  • Trailers;
  • Armoured protection systems;
  • In-service support;
  • Project management costs;
  • Infrastructure.
Issues/Risks

Issues/Risks

N/A

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