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| Afghanistan | |
| Canada to lease new tanks for Afghanistan | |
| 2007-04-04 | |
| 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 Afghanistan’s stifling summer heat. Canada’s 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 O’Connor wasn’t 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. "It’s really to offer security to our soldiers." O’Connor 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 military’s 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.
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| Posted by:Steve |
| #7 Actually, considering the terrain and supply issues over there, the Canadians would be better off leasing the Israeli upgraded T-55/62 series of tanks. Those all sport AC and have modern 105mm main guns; plus the Israelis have enhanced the armor against RPGs and IEDs. Also, the silhouette of that series is well-known in Afghanistan and is the main series used by the Afghani Army and Northern Alliance. |
| Posted by: Shieldwolf 2007-04-04 20:39 |
| #6 Geez, in that they got such a sweet deal in slightly used British submarines, I half expected that to read that "Canada is leasing new tanks *from* Afghanistan". Slightly used Russian T-34s. And such a bargain! We will even throw in free Maple Leaf stencils! |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2007-04-04 18:07 |
| #5 Yo Canucks! Take the full insurance package! Trust me! Been there, done that! ;) |
| Posted by: DanNY 2007-04-04 17:56 |
| #4 Plus it has air conditioning, and cupholders. |
| Posted by: Seafarious 2007-04-04 16:25 |
| #3 The Leopard 2 A6 is an improved Leopard 2 A5 through the addition of a L55 120mm smoothbore gun (55 calibers long). The new gun provides superior firepower enabling the Leopard 2 A6 to destroy tanks protected with improved heavy armor and to engage targets at longer ranges. The L55 gun will also be able to employ new ammunition and to penetrate heavier armors. The Leopard 2 A6M, also known as Leo 2 A6M or MBT 122M in Sweden, is an improved of Leopard 2 A6 Main Battle Tank featuring additional mine protection for Leopard 2 crew against anti-tank mines. The first Leo 2 A6Ms are scheduled for delivery to the German and Swedish armies in July 2004. |
| Posted by: Steve 2007-04-04 15:05 |
| #2 I have switched to Vancouver radio ( only becasue they play more music and less gab than Seattle) and this deal has been their 6 AM lead off for 2 days now. they have been discussing only the air conditioning option and not a weapons capability enhancement, however. But its a start. |
| Posted by: USN, Ret. 2007-04-04 14:18 |
| #1 Wonder what kind of charges there are for going over the mileage on a tank? |
| Posted by: IG-88 2007-04-04 10:39 |