More problems snag anti-tank missiles destined for Canadian troops in Latvia

Another problem has been discovered with new anti-tank missiles to be used by Canadian soldiers in Latvia but the military is confident those can be solved by the time the final systems are delivered later this year.

An initial shipment of Spike anti-tank missiles was delivered to troops stationed in Latvia last year after a series of problems with launchers and ammunition had caused delays.

Those issues were dealt with but in September 2025 another problem with ammunition emerged, Department of National Defence spokeswoman Cheryl Forrest confirmed to the Ottawa Citizen.

She stated the latest problem is considered minor and will be dealt with by Rafael, the Israeli defence firm building the systems, before final deliveries.

“The remaining equipment will be delivered and operational by mid-2026,” Forrest explained.

Testing of the systems is ongoing and operator training was conducted in Latvia in September 2025. That included a live firing of the system, Forrest noted. “This cleared it for initial operational capability,” she added.

In 2024, the Ottawa Citizen reported that more than half of the new Spike missiles received by the Canadian Forces didn’t function properly during testing. The federal government spent US$32 million ($45 million Canadian) to purchase the weapons.

The Canadian Army and Department of National Defence declined to outline what the specific problems were as they wanted to protect Rafael’s commercial interests.

Rafael has not responded to requests for comment about the missile problems.

In February 2023, the Ottawa Citizen reported that the Canadian Army was fast-tracking its purchase of the anti-tank weapons as well as air defence systems for troops stationed in Latvia. The equipment was classified as an Urgent Operational Requirement, the same process used during the Afghanistan war to quickly obtain gear without going through the slower traditional procurement procedures.

DND spokesperson Nick Drescher Brown previously stated that, in the interest of getting the new missiles quickly for the Latvia mission, no live-fire tests or demonstrations were performed during the selection process. “This technical risk was assessed and deemed acceptable as all of the potential bidders had delivered thousands of units of this product to other customers by that point in time,” he said in an email.

The DND also confirmed reporting by The Maple, an online news outlet, that Canadian troops were sent to Israel for training on the Spike system.

Forrest said 11 Canadian Army members were trained on the missile systems at Rafael’s facilities in Israel from July 7 to 25, 2024.

During that training, issues with the functionality of the missiles and launchers were identified. “As a result, deliveries of these new systems for deployed Canadian Battle Group members in Latvia were delayed until spring 2025, after the equipment manufacturer implemented the required changes so that they function as intended,” she added.

The training to Canadian Army members was provided by Rafael and not the Israeli Defence Force, she added.

The National Post reported in November 2024 that the Canadian Army was considering cancelling the Spike missile contract because of the ongoing problems. But DND has stated that will not happen.

Canadian soldiers are in Latvia as part of the Canadian-led NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group to deter Russian aggression in the region. Former prime minister Justin Trudeau announced in July 2023 that, as part of a major commitment to NATO, Canada would spend an additional $2.6 billion to double the number of troops it stationed in Latvia. The government’s plan would see up to 2,200 troops continuously deployed in the eastern European country for what is being called Operation Reassurance.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Aug. 26 that the Latvian mission would be extended another three years. That will take the mission through to 2029.

David Pugliese is an award-winning journalist covering Canadian Forces and military issues in Canada. To support his work, including exclusive content for subscribers only, sign up here: ottawacitizen.com/subscribe

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