Military overstocked on training ammo, has ‘gaps’ in combat munitions, audit says

OTTAWA — A federal audit of National Defence’s ammunition stocks found that only about half of the military’s ammunition for training and exercises was actually used.

The report suggests that’s because of “overstated” requests for ammo and planned activities getting cancelled.

The audit says National Defence didn’t track the reasons for those “limited or cancelled activities” but the department said key equipment items such as tanks and ships were “often out of service” when needed.

Auditor General Karen Hogan says some of the excess inventory can be used in an emergency, but not all training ammunition is lethal.

At the same time, the military’s strategic stockpile — the reserve for emergencies, such as a war — suffers from “significant gaps” between required and actual inventory levels.

Defence Minister David McGuinty says the department is already acting on the auditor’s recommendations.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 29, 2026.

Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press