Canadian Army on track to acquire critical long-range strike capability
Article / August 20, 2026 / National Defence
By Col M-E Bégin and Maj G Riddoch
The HIMARS acquisition delivers the core capability of the Canadian Army’s Long Range Precision Strike (Land) project, or LRPS (L). A key modernization priority, it will strengthen Canada’s ability to defend its sovereignty, contribute to continental defence, and support allied operations through precision fires at extended ranges. The project represents a significant evolution in the Army’s capacity to employ fires in a modern battlespace defined by speed, precision, and integration.
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Canada has finalized a government-to-government agreement valued at $2.6 billion CAD under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program to acquire 26 M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers, associated equipment, munitions, training, and options for future capability enhancements.
Identified in Canada’s 2024 Defence Policy, Our North, Strong and Free, long-range precision strike is a priority investment that will reinforce deterrence, improve Canada's capacity to defend its sovereignty from greater distances, and provide the Canadian Army with credible, integrated fires to joint and allied operations.
Why is LRPS (L) important to the Canadian Armed Forces? LRPS (L) enables the delivery of effects across all domains and supports the integration of joint operations. Like any military capability, it includes personnel, equipment, training, sustainment and infrastructure. At its core is the vehicle-mounted M142 HIMARS, a combat-proven and highly mobile rocket launcher capable of delivering precise effects at long range. It was selected for its demonstrated effectiveness in contested operational environments, interoperability with key allies, and compatibility with Royal Canadian Air Force airlift assets.
Once Full Operational Capability is achieved, LRPS(L) will enable the Canadian Army to engage targets at ranges exceeding 300 km—far beyond the reach of its current artillery systems. This increased range will provide greater operational flexibility, survivability, and combat effectiveness while bolstering Canada’s deterrence posture. It will also expand Canada’s capacity to defend its northern, Arctic and coastal approaches; as the system’s transportability aboard Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130J Hercules aircraft will enable rapid deployment in support of continental defence requirements.
LRPS(L) strengthens Canada’s ability to meet NATO commitments and support allied operations. It will be integrated into a modern sensor-to-shooter architecture linking multi-spectral target acquisition systems, command and control capabilities, and precision strike assets. This integration will allow commanders to make decisions more rapidly and reduce engagement timelines in complex operational environments.
The capability will be operated primarily by 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (1 RCHA) in Shilo, Manitoba, which will transition to 9th Rocket Regiment. Additional personnel and support will be provided by Army Reserve units from 38 Canadian Brigade Group (38 CBG). Under the command of 1st Canadian Artillery Brigade, this structure will enable the centralized coordination and decentralized execution of fires across the battlespace.
Deliveries of the launcher systems are anticipated to begin no later than 2029, with Initial Operational Capability expected by 2030 and Full Operational Capability achieved by 2034. The system will employ advanced precision-guided munitions—including the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System for ranges between 70 and 150 km—and is designed to accommodate future long-range effectors, such as the Precision Strike Missile, capable of engaging mobile land and maritime targets at distances exceeding 300 km.