Gov’t Spent $34.8M On Sleeping Bags The Army Can’t Use: “They Can’t Even Get the Sleeping Bags Right”

The Canadian Army’s recent sleeping bag debacle has raised serious questions about the efficacy of the Department of National Defence’s (DND) procurement processes and the readiness of the country’s military for Arctic operations. Despite spending over $34.8 million on the new General Purpose Sleeping Bag System (GPSBS), Canadian soldiers participating in a joint exercise in Alaska last winter were issued decades-old Arctic sleeping bags, sparking widespread criticism of the DND’s equipment policies.

The controversy erupted after soldiers from the 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI) reported serious issues with the new sleeping bags during a preparatory exercise in Ram Falls Provincial Park, Alberta, in late November 2023. The soldiers were testing their gear for extreme cold weather, but the GPSBS failed to meet even basic expectations.

Over 350 soldiers were deployed to Ram Falls, where they encountered temperatures plunging to -20°C at night. Despite using both the inner and outer shells of the GPSBS and staying in tents heated by stoves, many soldiers were unable to stay warm. A subsequent briefing note, obtained by CBC News, detailed the soldiers’ feedback: the sleeping bags were simply unsuitable for such cold conditions.

The quartermaster of the 3 PPCLI concluded that the GPSBS was “better suited for use in weather conditions that are characteristic of late spring to early fall” and could not withstand the extreme cold typical of Canadian winters, much less the frigid Alaskan environment where the soldiers were scheduled to continue training in January 2024.

The army decided to issue 500 of its old Arctic sleeping bags to the soldiers instead. These sleeping bags, first introduced in 1965, had been deemed more effective than the new ones despite their age. The Arctic sleeping bags had been slated for replacement by the GPSBS, but their enduring utility made them the better option in the extreme conditions of northern operations.

Complaints from Multiple Units

The 3 PPCLI was not the only unit to raise concerns. The 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment (2 RCR) had also expressed dissatisfaction with the GPSBS during a separate exercise. The accumulation of complaints forced the DND to launch an internal review and acknowledge the shortcomings of the new system.

In a statement, the DND maintained that the GPSBS was “a core component of the Canadian Armed Forces’ sleeping system” and that it would “remain in service for many years.” However, the department also confirmed it was seeking additional sleeping bags more suited for Arctic conditions.

“We have issued a request for proposals (RFP) for an Extreme Cold Weather Sleeping Bag system (ECWSBS) initiative,” the statement read, aiming to complement the GPSBS with a system capable of handling the most severe climates Canada’s soldiers face.

The sleeping bag fiasco is a particularly embarrassing blow given Canada’s renewed focus on Arctic sovereignty and northern defence. In its updated defence policy, Our North Strong and Free, the Liberal government promised significant investments in cold weather operations, including the procurement of vehicles and equipment adapted for icy, snow-laden terrain.

Yet, the failure to supply something as basic as an adequate sleeping bag for these conditions has left many soldiers skeptical about these promises.

One soldier, speaking anonymously due to concerns about reprisals, commented: “How can we trust the system to deliver on major Arctic commitments when they can’t even get the sleeping bags right?”

Defence expert Rob Huebert from the University of Calgary echoed these concerns. He questioned the extent of testing conducted on the GPSBS before it was rolled out, noting that such failures undermine confidence in the military’s broader procurement efforts.

“I wonder if they should have just gone to Canadian Tire,” Huebert quipped, emphasizing the absurdity of the situation.

He went on to criticize the DND for overcomplicating what should have been a straightforward process.

“We’re getting such difficulties and challenges from a no-brainer, such as sleeping bags,” he said. “And when you start thinking about the over-the-horizon radars, the F-35 and its parts, and presumably the submarines, at one point — I mean, it just does not fill one with too much confidence.”

The Canadian military has long struggled with procurement issues, and the sleeping bag debacle is just the latest in a series of high-profile failures. Whether it’s acquiring fighter jets, naval vessels, or even basic winter gear, the DND’s processes have been plagued by delays, cost overruns, and complaints from the ranks.

In this case, the DND defended its procurement of the GPSBS by stating that the selection process followed “rigorous” competitive standards.

“The technical requirements used to make the selection included insulation value, weight of the bags, and the packing volume,” the department said. However, they did not provide a direct answer when asked what sort of cold weather testing had been done prior to the decision to purchase the GPSBS.

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