A Greater Victoria-based company has won a major contract from the federal government to supply new pistols to the Canadian military.
MD Charlton Co. Ltd., which has its headquarters in Central Saanich, won a $3.2-million US deal to outfit Canadian Forces soldiers as well as navy and air force personnel with Sig Sauer P320 sidearms.
The guns, designated by the Canadian Forces as the C22, will replace the Browning Hi-Power 9mm pistol, which dates back to the Second World War.
Canada is buying an initial 7,000 pistols for the Armed Forces, and there is an option in the contract for up to 9,500 pistols to cover off the remaining requirements for the army, Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Canadian Navy and military police.
Deliveries are expected to begin in mid-2023.
“The Government of Canada is committed to providing the Canadian Armed Forces with the equipment they need when they need it,” Anita Anand, minister of National Defence, said in a statement Friday. “Replacing the Browning 9mm with the C22 … will help ensure the continued operational readiness and effectiveness of all our members.”
The federal government has been trying to acquire new sidearms for the military for more than a decade, but the procurement process hit snags as companies competed for the contract.
National Defence said the Sig Sauer P320 will use the same 9mm ammunition and have similar ballistic performance as the Browning pistol.
Improvements will include expanded magazine capacity — 17 to up to 22 rounds — lighter weights and better ergonomics and an indicator identifying whether the weapon is loaded.
Gun manufacturer Sig Sauer, based in New Hampshire, has supplied armies in the United States, France and Denmark with the weapons.
Rob Cook, national sales manager for MD Charlton, said the Greater Victoria company has a 12-year relationship with Sig Sauer. He said the new, modern pistols have been a long time coming for Canada’s military personnel.
“It’s good news and we are proud to be part of supplying the new equipment,” said Cook, who was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces from 1983 to 1991 before joining MD Carlton, which has been operating on the Island for 42 years.
The company employs 17 in Victoria and another 30 in provincial offices and at a warehouse in Ontario.
MD Charlton also supplies munitions, Tasers, batons, body armour and others items to police forces across the country, including local departments such as Victoria, Saanich and Oak Bay.
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