London, Ont., firm lands $647 million contract with U.S. military

LONDON, Ont. - A London, Ont., company has landed a $647 million deal to make an additional 352 Stryker armoured vehicles for the U.S. army.
The deal for the eight-wheeled vehicles, announced Monday, is with General Dynamics Land Systems Canada, formerly GM Defence.
In 2002, the U.S. army bought the first of 2,100 Strykers from GDLS Canada in a $6 billion deal, the largest in London's business history.
That order has grown over the years and just under 3,000 Strykers have been delivered, with 800 on order, including the latest 352.
The London deal is in addition to a $1 billion contract with the Department of National Defence in Canada announced in July to upgrade a third generation of light armoured vehicles.
General Dynamics spokesman Ken Yamashita told the London Free Press this is "good news" for the plant, adding the Stryker has helped sustain the plant over the last decade.
"With the job losses we have suffered in the auto sector, this is very good news. Any work is good for the community," said Tim Carrie, president of CAW Local 27, representing GDLS workers.
According to Army Times, a military publication, two more brigades, 664 vehicles, will soon be announced, replacing existing armoured brigades. London will get a chunk of that work.