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Canada will open its first facility dedicated to production of ballistic-grade steel under a partnership between Canadian advanced armoured vehicle manufacturer Roshel and Swedish ballistic steels company Swebor.
The facility is expected to create skilled jobs, provide economic benefits and introduce advanced manufacturing technologies within Canada’s steel manufacturing industry.
The facility will be constructed as a state-of-the-art ballistic steel production plant, capable of manufacturing a wide variety of steel grades with different thicknesses, hardness levels and ballistic resistance properties, including quenched and tempered plates, high-hardness armour steel and specialised alloys for extreme performance.
Production will incorporate advanced heat treatment cycles, precise rolling and forming and rigorous quality assurance testing in accordance with NATO standardisation agreement and other international standards.
“This project goes beyond steel; it is about establishing industrial sovereignty. By bringing ballistic steel production to Canada, we are reducing a critical dependency, protecting our supply chain and laying the groundwork for long-term resilience in the defence and manufacturing sectors,” Roshel chief executive officer Roman Shimonov said.
“Roshel is actively engaged in several programs within the armoured vehicle industry, including domestic initiatives like the Light Utility Vehicle (LUV) program and Defence Arctic Mobility Enhancement program, as well as various international contracts, all of which require substantial volumes of ballistic steel.
“With this new capability, we will be able to increase Canadian content in our platforms and generate additional value in meeting industrial and technological benefits commitments for our clients.”
Intellectual property for the new facility will be jointly held by Roshel and Swebor, ensuring shared innovation and long-term collaboration.
“Our partnership with Roshel demonstrates a shared commitment to innovation and self-reliance. This facility will not only meet Canadas strategic needs but also exemplify how allied nations can collaborate to enhance their industrial capabilities,” said Hans Bergman, chairman of the board of Swebor.
The agreement was signed between the two companies during a ceremony attended by the Canadian Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Mélanie Joly.
“This new partnership between Roshel and Swebor to produce ballistic-grade steel showcases Canadas world-renowned capabilities, from mined iron ore to domestic steel production to advanced manufacturing,” Minister Joly said.
“It’s creating good-paying jobs and reinforcing our economic security. At this pivotal moment of global transformation, we’re working hand in hand with industry and European partners to build a stronger, more resilient economy.”
