MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The deal between Canada and Saudi Arabia on supplies of Light Armored Vehicles (LAV) was prepared and signed in 2013-2014 fiscal year. It is worth some $15 billion and is said to be the largest arms contract in Canada's history. Last year, the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) brokered a deal for LAVs to be manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) based in the United States to be purchased by Saudi Arabia.
"GDLS-C requires the use of a suitable Canadian Forces Base… [as well as] support, staff coordination, administrative and logistics assistance," a memo prepared for Minister of International Trade Chrystia Freeland and obtained by VICE News reads.
According to the documents obtained by the broadcaster, the test-drive is being carried out using Canadian Forces facilities, while the Department of National Defence only allows for the use of its bases for non-disturbing activities.
The documents reveal that the deal, formally arranged between GDLS Canada and the Saudi government, was in fact an agreement between Canada and Saudi Arabia.
