Canada eyes BvS10 Beowulf Armored Vehicle for DAME Arctic mobility program.

BAE Systems Hägglunds has teamed with General Dynamics Land Systems Canada to offer the BvS10 Beowulf all-terrain vehicle for the Canadian Army’s Domestic Arctic Mobility Enhancement (DAME) program. The move positions Canada to replace its aging Bv206 fleet with a modern, articulated, amphibious platform that can sustain land operations across the High North and other remote regions.

BAE Systems Hägglunds said on 12 November 2025 that it has signed a teaming agreement with General Dynamics Land Systems Canada to field the BvS10 Beowulf for Ottawa’s Domestic Arctic Mobility Enhancement program, an effort to recapitalize the Army’s vintage Bv206 all-terrain vehicles. The partners are pitching an “off the shelf, low risk” solution that draws on Beowulf’s recent selection as the U.S. Army’s Cold Weather All-Terrain Vehicle, coupled with GDLS’s domestic support footprint and industrial integration experience inside Canada.
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The tactical value of the Beowulf is linked to its ability to maintain manoeuvre and logistics flows in environments that are usually inaccessible to conventional land forces (Picture source: Bae Systems) 

The Beowulf is an articulated, dual-body, tracked all-terrain vehicle designed for Arctic and sub-Arctic environments. It can move across mud, sand, muskeg, snow, ice, and open water through full amphibious capability that enables it to retain mobility where wheeled platforms lose traction. Its drivetrain is derived from the BvS10 family, already combat-proven and in service in eight countries, including six NATO members. This continuity reduces logistical risk, supports spare parts availability, and maintains supply chain resilience through an already active production line. The modular layout of the Beowulf allows fast reconfiguration for cargo transport, troop movement, or specialized mission payloads, while remaining functional at temperatures below 40°C.

The Beowulf uses a diesel engine with an output of around 285 horsepower and can carry payloads of more than five tonnes. Its articulated chassis distributes weight over wide rubber tracks, which lowers ground pressure and increases traction on unstable terrain. The amphibious design is based on sealed hull sections and hydraulic track-driven propulsion for water crossings, at speeds of up to 4 km/h. The vehicle is equipped with reinforced insulation and heating systems intended to keep the crew able to operate during long missions in polar conditions. With an approximate range of 400 km on a single fuel load and endurance of more than 24 hours, it can conduct independent deployments across extensive uninhabited areas where logistical access is constrained.

The tactical value of the Beowulf is linked to its ability to maintain manoeuvre and logistics flows in environments that are usually inaccessible to conventional land forces. Its dual hull articulation provides mobility on fractured ice and steep gradients, while preserving stable command and control functions through communication suites compatible with NATO data standards. For Arctic operations under electromagnetic emission control (EMCON), the vehicle architecture allows low signature modes to reduce the probability of detection by opposing sensors. Its capacity to transport personnel, supplies, or sensors in severe weather aligns it with reconnaissance tasks, humanitarian support, and sovereignty patrols, particularly in Canada’s northern territories, where infrastructure is limited and environmental constraints weigh on planning.

The role of GDLS Canada is to provide coherent system integration and lifecycle management aligned with the Canadian Army’s long-term force structure. With almost fifty years of experience in national defence programs, the company plans to localize maintenance and part of the manufacturing work, which supports Canada’s defence industrial and technological base (BITD). This approach corresponds to the federal industrial and technological benefits (ITB) policy, contributing to domestic employment while sustaining fleet availability. The partnership also offers Canada a common logistical framework with allied forces operating comparable systems, in particular in the United States and Norway, and supports interoperability during joint Arctic exercises.

Beyond its direct operational effect, the Beowulf is presented as part of a broader response to evolving Arctic sovereignty issues. As climate change alters navigable routes and intensifies competition over northern resources, Canada’s capacity to deploy assets rapidly in remote areas becomes one parameter in both deterrence and crisis management. The DAME program therefore, goes beyond procurement logic and contributes to a lasting presence that feeds into the nationally recognized maritime picture (RMP) and the common operational picture (COP) across the Arctic Circle. The cooperation between BAE Systems Hägglunds and GDLS illustrates the link between industrial policy and defence posture and places Canada among the states investing in sustained, networked land mobility in a demanding northern environment.