General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) has unveiled the self-propelled howitzer Grizzly for a Canadian requirement. The system combines the Artillery Gun Module (AGM) from KNDS with Rheinmetall’s 155 mm/L52 weapon system, which is also deployed on the German RCH 155 on the Boxer, with the 10×10 chassis of the Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV), produced in Canada by a GDLS version of the Piranha.
Switzerland has already selected such a combination on the Piranha 10×10 Heavy Mission Carrier as a future artillery system. Canada is currently seeking a replacement for its 33 towed 155-mm howitzers of the M777 type and has expressed a need for 80 to 98 self-propelled guns. These are to fire ammunition of the M795 type up to a range of 30 kilometers, M1128 Base-bleed projectiles up to 40 kilometers, and be compatible with precision-guided ammunition M982 Excalibur and M1156 fuzes, as well as smart anti-armor ammunition.
The name Grizzly recalls the first Canadian LAV
In addition, the future system is intended to be capable of Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) fire missions. A battery of six guns must fire 96 rounds and move away from the firing position within three minutes. Additionally, individual vehicles should be able to cover at least 500 meters within two minutes after the last shot. With the AGM, artillery fire is possible on the move; according to KNDS, the fully automated loading system can deliver nearly nine rounds per minute.
The Grizzly presented at the CANSEC 2026 defense exhibition takes its name from the 6×6 crewed transport vehicle LAV I AVGP, which in the 1970s was built by GMC as the Canadian version of the Piranha I of the then Swiss MOWAG. GMC also produced the 8×8 variant of the LAV for the U.S. Marine Corps. Later, both the Canadian and Swiss manufacturers were acquired by GDLS.
