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Canada to lease new tanks for Afghanistan
OTTAWA The federal government is proceeding with the lease of some of the most modern Leopard tanks on the market as it boosts its equipment in Afghanistan. Defence sources told CanWest News Service that Ottawa will lease 20 A6M tanks from Germany. The tanks, which have improved protection against landmines and other enemy weapons, could be shipped to Afghanistan direct from Germany, sources said.In addition, the new Leopards are air conditioned so they could operate in Afghanistans stifling summer heat. Canadas older Leopard tanks now in Kandahar do not have air conditioning and there have been concerns the heat could limit their usefulness on the battlefield. Temperatures inside the vehicles could soar beyond 60 C. The lease was approved last week by the cabinet priorities and planning committee. Defence Minister Gordon OConnor wasnt releasing details about the Leopard tank lease Tuesday, but he did say the tanks were a necessity for the Afghan mission. "Our experience in Afghanistan has proven we need main battle tanks," he said. "Its really to offer security to our soldiers." OConnor suggested the decrease in the number of Canadian casualties in the last six months was due to more use of heavier armoured vehicles, including the tanks. Over the last year there has been a major about-face in the Canadian militarys view of the usefulness of tanks. The Leopards were originally scheduled to be destroyed or sold off, but the army put a halt to that program.
Posted by: Steve 2007-04-04 |
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