Canada has awarded Magellan Aerospace a contract to manufacture the M72 Light Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW), significantly expanding domestic production of a proven infantry weapon for the Canadian Armed Forces. The agreement supports Ottawa’s strategy to strengthen Canada’s sovereign defense industrial base by localizing the assembly and production of critical munitions while improving supply chain resilience. By manufacturing the M72 LAW domestically, Canada aims to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and ensure a reliable source of anti-armor weapons for future military requirements. The initiative also aligns with the government’s broader objective of increasing national defense manufacturing capacity while reinforcing a North American and NATO-compatible industrial ecosystem. Awarded under Canada’s Munitions Supply Program, the contract promotes long-term collaboration between government and industry to produce advanced weapons, ammunition, and related defense equipment. Magellan Aerospace stated that the agreement strengthens Canada’s national security, preserves high-value manufacturing jobs, and enhances domestic engineering expertise. The M72 LAW remains one of the world’s most widely used disposable anti-tank weapons, offering infantry forces a lightweight yet highly effective capability against armored vehicles and fortified positions. Since entering service during the 1960s, the weapon has been employed in numerous military conflicts, including recent operations in Ukraine and Gaza. The 66mm launcher weighs approximately four kilograms, fires at a muzzle velocity of around 200 meters per second, and has an effective range of roughly 220 meters, making it a compact but highly capable battlefield weapon.
