The United States announced on Thursday that it has approved a $2.68 billion sale of air-strike munitions to Canada, as Prime Minister Mark Carney moves to rapidly boost defence spending amid uncertainty in Ottawa’s security relationship with Washington.
According to the State Department, the package includes up to 3,414 BLU-111 bombs—500-pound munitions designed for use against troop formations—and up to 3,108 GBU-39 precision-guided bombs intended for striking fixed targets. The sale also covers more than 5,000 JDAM kits, which convert unguided bombs into precision-guided weapons.
In its notification to Congress, the State Department said the purchase would “enhance Canada’s credible defence capability to deter regional aggression, improve interoperability with US forces, and strengthen Canada’s contribution to joint continental defence.”
Prime Minister Carney announced in August that Canada would reach NATO’s benchmark of allocating two per cent of GDP to defence spending this year—well ahead of previous projections. He cited rising uncertainty over the United States’ long-term commitment to NATO and concerns about potential Russian activity in the Arctic.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised NATO, accusing member states of depending too heavily on Washington. He has also frequently disparaged Canada—particularly before Carney succeeded Justin Trudeau—remarking at one point that the country should become the United States’ 51st state.
