Kongsberg Signs New PROTECTOR RS4 Contract for Canada’s ACSV Fleet
Norwegian defense company Kongsberg has signed a new contract with General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada (GDLS-Canada) to supply additional PROTECTOR RS4 remote weapon stations for the Canadian Army’s Armoured Combat Support Vehicle (ACSV) fleet. Announced August 24, 2026, the deal is valued at 1.1 billion Norwegian kroner, roughly $118 million.
At a Glance
- Contract value: NOK 1.1 billion (~$118 million)
- Parties: Kongsberg and General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada
- System: PROTECTOR RS4 remote weapon station (RWS)
- Platform: Canadian Army’s Armoured Combat Support Vehicle (ACSV) fleet
- Follows a NOK 500 million (~$53 million) order placed in 2020
- Quantity of systems and delivery schedule were not disclosed
Background: RS4 and the ACSV Program
The PROTECTOR RS4 features a stabilized 2+2-axis targeting architecture and can be fitted with small- and medium-caliber weapons as well as anti-tank guided missiles, weighing between 135 and 190 kilograms depending on configuration. The system is designed to keep crews under armor while providing firepower and situational awareness against external threats.
The ACSV program is part of Canada’s broader effort to modernize its wheeled armored vehicle fleet, originally planned for 360 vehicles and later expanded by 190 additional units. Kongsberg Executive Vice President Kjetil Reiten Myhra said the contract “confirms our customer’s confidence in the PROTECTOR systems and further strengthens our long-term partnership with GDLS-Canada.”
Kongsberg has secured a string of major international orders in recent years across its NASAMS air defense and Naval Strike Missile (NSM) product lines, and the RS4 family is already fielded on armored vehicle fleets across numerous NATO member states.
Regional Impact
The remote weapon station market is also a strategic segment for Turkish industry. ASELSAN’s STAMP, SARP and SERDAR RWS families have been exported to Qatar, Pakistan and several other nations, competing directly with Kongsberg’s RS4 line in NATO-standard armored vehicle integration tenders. Canada’s continued reliance on RS4 illustrates the pull of established Western suppliers, even as Turkish RWS systems keep expanding into new markets elsewhere.
FAQ
What does the PROTECTOR RS4 do?
It is a remote weapon station mounted on armored vehicles, letting crews engage targets from inside the vehicle.
What is the ACSV?
The Canadian Army’s family of wheeled armored support vehicles, covering logistics, ambulance, and command-and-control variants.
How many systems were ordered?
Kongsberg has not disclosed the number of units covered under the new contract or the delivery timeline.
