US Approves $2.68 Billion Bomb Sale to Canada

The United States has approved the sale of $2.68 billion worth of air-launched bombs to Canada, a major deal that comes as Prime Minister Mark Carney accelerates defense spending amid uncertainty in bilateral relations.

In a formal notification to Congress, the US State Department said the package includes up to 3,414 BLU-111 bombs, each weighing 500 pounds and designed to target troop formations, as well as up to 3,108 GBU-39 precision glide bombs for striking fixed targets. The sale also covers more than 5,000 JDAM kits that convert unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions.

Washington said the sale will strengthen Canada’s ability to deter regional threats, ensure interoperability with US forces, and reinforce its role in the joint continental defense architecture.

Carney announced in August that Canada will meet NATO’s defense-spending target of 2 percent of GDP this year, years ahead of schedule. He linked the accelerated buildup to growing uncertainty over the United States’ role as Canada’s closest neighbor and traditional NATO ally, as well as concerns about increased Russian activity in the Arctic.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has continued to question the value of NATO, accusing allies of relying too heavily on Washington for security. He has frequently taken aim at Canada, especially before Carney succeeded Justin Trudeau as prime minister, and has at times suggested the country should become the United States’ “51st state.”