15/07/2021 | Press release

Rheinmetall Canada is celebrating 35 years of innovation and recognition both at home and abroad. The company’s successes over the past three and a half decades have made the Canadian firm an internationally renowned defence contractor.

A tradition of growth

Established in 1986 in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, as the Canadian base for the Swiss technology group Oerlikon, the company’s first contract involved manufacturing and supporting the Air Defence Anti-Tank System (ADATS) for the Canadian Armed Forces. Lasting over two decades, this programme helped the company acquire a unique blend of state-of-the-art experience in systems, subsystems, software development, engineering, and integrated logistic support – capabilities that characterize Rheinmetall Canada to this day. Its team continues to draw on the knowledge and skills honed during the ADATS programme, while still pushing the company further every day.

Acquired by Rheinmetall AG in 1999, the company began leveraging its newly developed technologies to penetrate new segments of the defence sector. Since then, the company’s expertise has expanded into electronic, weapon, vehicle and robotic systems, as well as airport ground support equipment. Rheinmetall Canada’s workforce of over 400 skilled employees in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Ottawa now turn out a comprehensive array of advanced products and integrated solutions.

At the forefront of innovation

Rheinmetall Canada provides products and solutions that are as creative as they are effective. The complex challenges faced by its customers constantly motivate the firm to create technologically advanced solutions that are fully adapted to each client’s needs. What consistently distinguishes Rheinmetall Canada are its emphasis on proprietary software technology and its strong integration capabilities.

A proud Canadian company

Rheinmetall Canada’s ground-breaking technologies are widely recognized on the world stage. Having completed contracts for more than 15 clients namely in North America, Europe, and Asia, the company is trusted around the globe by both governments and commercial customers.

Yet its primary focus is always at home: the company is deeply committed to Canada’s defence and security, with a diversified supply chain that relies annually on more than 500 Canadian suppliers from coast to coast. To date, Rheinmetall Canada has completed almost Can$1.3 billion in industrial participation obligations under the federal government’s Industrial and Regional Benefits Policy and Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy through 17 acquisition and in-service support programmes, either as prime contractor or partner.

The relationship with the Canadian government that began back in 1986 is still going strong today. On top of recently awarded contracts, Rheinmetall Canada is currently working on several other programmes in its fields of expertise. These Canadian mandates have the dual advantage of allowing the company to create quality jobs at home while enhancing the safety of Canadian troops at home and abroad.

After more than 35 years in business, Rheinmetall Canada has proven its enduring dedication to its primary customer, while simultaneously establishing itself as an international player in the defence and security sectors. The company looks forward to many more years of challenges and innovation.