Winnipeg’s hidden role in the global arms trade

 

Bristol Aerospace and Magellan’s decades-long production of military technology ties Canada’s heartland to conflicts worldwide

The Canadian arms industry is often seen as heavily concentrated in eastern Canada, and for good reason. Montréal ranks among the world’s leading aerospace hubs, home to major companies like CAE, Pratt & Whitney, and Bell Textron. In southern Ontario, the sector is anchored by General Dynamics Land Systems in London, along with the Canadian headquarters of US defence giants such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, and L3Harris in Ottawa, which also hosts CANSEC, the country’s largest global defence and security trade show. Ammunition production is widespread across Québec and Ontario, too. Meanwhile, Halifax stands out as a key player thanks to Irving Shipbuilding, IMP Aerospace and Defence, and its role in hosting the Halifax International Security Forum.

Western Canada also plays a significant, though often overlooked, role in the country’s defence industry. Vancouver and Victoria contribute through naval production, while Winnipeg distinguishes itself for its aerospace manufacturing, which is frequently overshadowed despite its importance. The city also serves as the operational headquarters for the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian NORAD Region, with nearby Portage la Prairie supporting RCAF pilot training. Yet public awareness of Winnipeg’s military ties remains surprisingly limited, even though the local NHL team’s logo is based on the CF-18 fighter jet, a design that required Department of National Defence approval and is celebrated with flyovers during playoff season.

The history of Winnipeg’s Bristol Aerospace—acquired by Magellan Aerospace in 1997 and still operating out of its original facilities in St. James and Rockwood—offers a revealing lens into the broader defence industry and its far-reaching, often devastating global impacts. Magellan’s role in producing key components for the F-35 fighter jet—deployed by Israel in its ongoing assault on Palestine—is just one of many stark examples of how Winnipeg’s aerospace sector contributes to military operations around the world, particularly in the Global South. The real “Winnipeg Jets” extend far beyond the hockey rink.  (more...)

Winnipeg’s hidden role in the global arms trade

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