Algoma Steel signs partnership to produce ballistic steel for armoured vehicles

Algoma Steel partners with Brampton’s Roshel to form Roshel Algoma Defence, producing ballistic steel for military vehicles, Arctic ships and submarines.

Algoma Steel in Sault Ste. Marie has entered a joint venture with a southern-Ontario based armoured vehicle manufacturer to create Roshel Algoma Defence Solutions Inc.

The goal is to manufacture ballistic steel for armoured vehicles for Canada’s defence industry.

Roshel is a Canadian-owned defence manufacturer of smart armoured vehicles.

Together with Algoma Steel, they are aiming to create “a Canadian centre of excellence for ballistic steel production.”

“This partnership is purpose-built to deliver sovereign ballistic steel defence solutions, including full-cycle capabilities such as metal fabrication, forming, welding and machining in Canada,” Algoma and Roshel said in a news release April 7.

“This new collaboration comes at a time of historic defence investment by the Government of Canada and aligns with the new defence industrial strategy’s emphasis on strengthening sovereign industrial capabilities and ‘Buy Canadian’ policies across major procurements.”

The news comes just less than a year after Roshel signed an agreement with Swedish steelmaker Swebor to use its ballistic steelmaking technology.

Lightweight, hardened steel

Ballistic steel is a special type of relatively lightweight, hardened steel that protects against blasts or bullets.

“By advancing a made-in-Canada approach to critical defence inputs, Roshel Algoma Defence will enable new, sovereign production of ballistic steel solutions to support defence procurements,” the news release said.

In addition to armoured vehicles, ballistic steel can be used for ships and submarines for the Domestic Arctic Mobility Enhancement program.

“Additionally, Roshel Algoma Defence will support the use of ballistic steel across other industries, including infrastructure, marine, aerospace and security platforms while creating opportunities to export Canadian-made ballistic steel solutions to allied countries,” the release said.

Helping Canada rebuild its defences

Rajat Marwah, CEO, Algoma Steel, said the agreement puts Algoma in an important position as Canada rearms.

“Algoma Steel is ready to enhance Canada’s defence capacity, starting now,” Marwah said.

“This partnership with Roshel puts our production capabilities, our workforce, and our Sault Ste. Marie facilities directly in service of Canada’s national security. Buy Canadian isn’t just a policy for us, it’s a strategy and a commitment to hundreds of good jobs.”

The agreement will support “over 500 workers, including new, high-quality manufacturing jobs and strengthening Canada’s skilled industrial workforce for the long term,” the release added.

“Together, Roshel and Algoma Steel are advancing a made-in-Canada solution that will drive economic growth, reinforce national security, and deliver lasting benefits to Canadian workers, industry, and communities.”