Canada Pauses Destruction of WWII-Era Pistols While Ukraine Considers Acquisition
The Canadian military finds itself in a holding pattern regarding the fate of thousands of Browning Hi-Power pistols, iconic firearms dating back to the Second World War. While 2,000 of these historic handguns have already been destroyed, the Department of National Defence has temporarily halted further destruction as it awaits a decision from Ukraine on whether it wishes to incorporate the remaining weapons into its military arsenal.
A Shifting Strategy for Aging Firearms
The journey of these pistols has been marked by changing plans. Initially, in October 2022, the Canadian Forces decided to destroy nearly 11,000 of the sidearms, as they were being replaced by the newer Sig Sauer P320 handgun. The aging Brownings presented logistical challenges, including a scarcity of replacement parts and concerns about their operational reliability in modern combat scenarios.
However, by September 2024, the strategy shifted dramatically. The Canadian Forces announced plans to send approximately 10,500 of the 9-mm Browning pistols to Ukraine as military aid. At the time, National Defence spokesperson Andrée-Anne Poulin confirmed to media that deliveries were expected to commence in December 2024.
Current Status and Museum Preservation
That shipment, however, never materialized. According to DND spokesperson Cheryl Forrest, work is currently underway to collect the remaining pistols from various branches of the military, including the Army, Air Force, and Navy. Forrest noted in an official communication that "2000 pistols have been destroyed to date."
She added an important cultural preservation detail: "A small number of Brownings (approximately 500) will be kept for display in museums. They will not be used in field units in the future." This ensures that some of these historically significant firearms will be preserved for educational and commemorative purposes, even as their practical military utility has diminished.
Ukraine's Deliberation and Broader Context
Federal government sources indicate that the destruction of the remaining guns is currently on hold because Ukraine has not yet reached a decision regarding the Canadian Browning Hi-Powers. This pause reflects the complex logistics and strategic considerations involved in international military aid, even for equipment that one nation considers surplus.
The Browning Hi-Power pistol holds a notable place in military history. Since its introduction during the Second World War, over a million units have been manufactured, serving in dozens of militaries and police forces worldwide. Interestingly, new versions of this classic design continue to be produced today, a testament to its enduring influence.
Previous Announcements and Controversy
This potential transfer is not the first time Canada has proposed sending firearms to Ukraine. The Liberal government previously announced that Ukraine would receive pistols, military-style rifles, and grenade launchers that had been removed from public ownership as part of Canada's firearms ban. Then-Defence Minister Bill Blair stated on December 5, 2024, that "The Department of National Defence will begin working with the Canadian companies that have weapons that Ukraine needs in order to get these weapons out of Canada and into the hands of the Ukrainians."
The Canadian military had indicated that Ukraine had requested specific weapons, identifying 23 makes and models it sought to acquire. However, this broader proposal faced criticism. The Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights, a firearms advocacy group, ridiculed the plan, pointing out that civilian gun stores were never permitted to sell grenade launchers and that only minimal quantities of the firearms desired by Ukraine actually remained in Canadian possession.
As the situation stands, the fate of thousands of these historic Browning Hi-Power pistols remains uncertain, suspended between destruction, potential international aid, and museum preservation, awaiting a final decision from Ukrainian authorities.
