The federal government is pouring $1.4 billion into the munitions industry to build up the domestic supply of heavy artillery shells and reduce Canada’s reliance on foreign suppliers.

Ottawa will put public funds toward new facilities in Ingersoll, Ont., and Repentigny, Que., for producing components used to make heavy artillery shells.

The funding will be split between IMT Precision and General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Canada. General Dynamics Ordnance, a subsidiary of the major U.S. defence contractor General Dynamics, will get the lion’s share of the funds.