Canadian commandos to get a new pistol, but the exact type is secret except to anyone with internet access.

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In a new twist, the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command has declared the exact type of weapon secret, despite statements and news articles identifying the pistol as the SIG Sauer P320.

Publication date:

July 04, 2022 • 3 minutes ago • 3 minute read

Canadian special forces are receiving a new pistol, but their leaders claim details about the weapon are secret despite earlier claims that it was the Sig Sauer P320 pistol. This photo shows the use of the P320 by the US military.
Canadian special forces are receiving a new pistol, but their leaders claim details about the weapon are secret despite earlier claims that it was the Sig Sauer P320 pistol. This photo shows the use of the P320 by the US military. Photo of Senior Airman Hunter Hires /177th Fighter Wing – NJ Air Nati

Canada’s commandos are getting a new pistol, but the exact type is now considered a state secret.

Except for anyone who has access to the internet and can read the details about the Canadian Special Forces’ purchase of the SIG Sauer P320 pistol for $680,425.

The ongoing saga of the now-secret pistol began in November 2020 after a member of the counter-terrorism unit, Joint Task Force 2, accidentally shot himself with a SIG Sauer P320 during training in Ottawa. Taxpayers had already spent $680,425 to purchase the new weapons, and commandos were in the process of familiarizing themselves with the weapons.

The incident, which resulted in a superficial wound, led to a temporary suspension of Canadian special forces training with the P320, a development reported by the CBC in February 2021. At the same time, SIG Sauer released a statement noting that it was “working with Canadian Special”. Command of the Operations Forces to resolve an incident related to the unintentional discharge of a P320”.

The gun in question was extensively tested and found to be safe, the firm said. “The investigation revealed the use of an incorrect holster not designed for a P320,” SIG Sauer added in his statement.

Fast forward to last week when the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command issued a statement announcing that it was now proceeding to put its new pistol into service. He acknowledged the original shooting incident, but an investigation found the new pistol to be safe and working properly.

However, in a new twist, the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command declared the exact type of weapon secret, despite statements and news articles identifying the pistol as the SIG Sauer P320. In response to questions from this newspaper about the decision to now claim secrecy on the P320, the special forces said they have a policy of not disclosing details about their weapons or capabilities.

However, that claim is false as Canadian special forces leaders have not only discussed purchases of specific equipment with the media, but the command has released photos of that equipment to the public.

However, it is not the first time that the Canadian special forces have invoked secrecy in a strange way. In the late 1990s, JTF2 tried unsuccessfully to claim that if this newspaper revealed that the unit had purchased cutlery for their mess halls at their Dwyer Hill base, then the security of Canada would be threatened.

Defense insiders are puzzled as to why Maj. Gen. Steve Boivin, head of Canada’s Special Operations Forces Command, is now claiming SIG Sauer P320 pistols are secret when details of the purchase are public. Some suggest it could be the result of wanting to limit publicity about the embarrassment of a JTF2 soldier accidentally shooting himself.

Canadian special forces have been in the news recently. In May, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced questions in the House of Commons when it was revealed that special forces operated a plane equipped with surveillance equipment during the so-called “Freedom Convoy” protests in Ottawa despite a military directive. that prohibited such activities. Military sources, concerned that the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command was trying to hide their activities, revealed details of the flight to this newspaper. The National Defense finally confirmed the special forces flights.

Earlier this year, this newspaper revealed that two serving members of JTF2 had participated in the convoy protests. Military personnel alleged that some JTF2 service members had been vocal about their anti-vaccine and anti-government views while working at the Dwyer Hill counterterrorism training center. Some of those anti-government views were directed specifically at Trudeau and have focused particularly on the Liberal government’s gun control policies, they alleged. The sources said they decided to come forward because the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command was aware of anti-government activities within some parts of JTF2, but had done little to counter it. A military investigation was launched, but it is unclear what, if any, action was taken.

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