Canadian Military purchases 357 new G-Wagons

[Hakkola]

Canadian military buys 357 more Mercedes-Benz G Wagons

Not sure if this belongs in this forum or not...



Ottawa, Ontario - The Department of National Defence announced it has exercised an $81-million option to purchase an additional 357 Mercedes-Benz Gelaendewagen (G Wagon) vehicles and 20 Armour Protection System (APS) kits for the Canadian Forces.

"The versatile G Wagon has been an important element in soldiers being able to conduct operations in Operation ATHENA and in helping our soldiers gain the trust and respect of the people of Afghanistan," said General Ray Henault, Chief of the Defence Staff. "The G Wagon will contribute to the Land Force's requirement to conduct sustained, effective combat and support operations, and meet the peacetime training requirement."

Last year, the Department of National Defence awarded a $130 million contract to Mercedes-Benz Canada for 802 vehicles and 150 Armour Protection Systems. Included in the original contract was an option to purchase additional vehicles, which the department has exercised, bringing the total number of G Wagons to 1159.

The additional 357 vehicles will replace the capabilities currently provided by the Cougar direct fire support vehicles, and the Iltis light utility vehicles. The new vehicles, which will be delivered to Reserve Armour units and Regular Force Infantry Reconnaissance Platoons across Canada, will result in a potential cost savings of approximately $3.2 million annually.

Interesting, I didn't think our military had an G-wagons.

[rage2]

They forgot to thank the residents of alberta for the money to purchase these vehicles! :rofl:

Oh, also... we're still in Afghanistan? Wasn't that war over like 2 years ago?

[7thgenvic]

still fighting the good fight!!!!! and what a pimp ride to be crusin in for military!

[/////AMG]

Too bad they're going to put a new face on the G-Class very soon.
How the new ones look nice.

[Hakkola]

KABUL (CP) - A company of Canadian soldiers backed up by new armoured jeeps swept through southwestern Kabul on Saturday night in a major "surge patrol" designed to keep down crime in the neighbourhood.

The seven-hour mission by dozens of Canadian soldiers was among the largest operations by Canadian forces since they arrived in Afghanistan in August.

The mission was also the first for the G-Wagon, the beefy four-wheel drive vehicle that is replacing the much-criticized Iltis jeep.

While Saturday's sweep was completed without incident or arrest, the mission was a good proving ground for the G Wagon as it negotiated Kabul's rutted and sewage-filled streets.

The strengths and weaknesses of both the new and old vehicle were quickly apparent to a small group of soldiers from Bravo Company of the 3rd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment as they launched their part of the mission.

The plan for the patrol was to have about a half-dozen soldiers on foot trailed by a pair of G Wagons for a rapid evacuation in case of trouble. However the G Wagons could not fit down a narrow street where the patrol was to start.


Two of the smaller Iltis jeeps were sent down the same street. However they soon ran into a ditch that cut off the route and the rest of the patrol was done on foot without a vehicle nearby. One Iltis became temporarily stuck in a hole. Its engine had to be revved up to a screaming pitch to move again.

"We had to have a change of plan," said Lieut. Dave Roussell, who then led his section on a quiet seven-kilometre walk.

"Each vehicle has its strengths and weaknesses," he said.

Maj. Claude Langlois, commander of Bravo Company, said he conceived the "surge patrol" after hearing from local residents and the Kabul City Police that Saturday night is a bad time for crime in his area of operation.

While the operation was completed without incident, a couple of Roussell's troops caused a stir when they accidentally walked into the courtyard of a house, startling a woman inside.

Soon a dozen men from the household came out to confront the troops. After an explanation and a few handshakes, the men seemed to realize the soldiers had taken a wrong turn.

A few hours later, the troops assembled at an intersection to be picked up by the G Wagons and a handful of Iltis jeeps. One rattling Iltis struggled to make it up a short incline, its driver racing the engine to move it uphill.

"Listen to that. You can hear it coming from a mile away," said Sgt. Emile Deschamps, one of Roussell's men. "The Iltis has done its time."

After Roussell and Deschamps returned to camp early Sunday morning, Langlois described how the new vehicle will change the way his company patrols Kabul.

He said he expects more foot patrols now, with the G Wagons following nearby in case of trouble.

"We're going to use it as a kind of a bunker - a mobile bunker," Langlois said.

"It (the G Wagon) offers a lot of protection and gives us added confidence," he said. "The old vehicle gave us a lot of worry because we were so exposed. The new vehicle will almost allow us to take the first hit, because we are so well protected, and then react."

The first 18 Mercedes G Wagons arrived in Kabul on Friday. Another 42 of the jeeps will arrive in Afghanistan over the next week. A total of 802 G Wagons with various types of equipment and armour are being delivered to Canadian troops over the next year.

Source article
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2004/03/05/371007-cp.html

[hjr]

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2004/03/05/w030632A.jpg

its not like they have the pimped out g500's or anything. these are military vehicles for sure. not a bad choice though. pretty good trucks i think.

[benyl]

Why not Humvees? (sp?)

[20incheyes]

so do they have a 6 8 or what??? anyone know? but still must be quicker then the miltary hummer???

[benyl]

Good thing they didn't spend my tax dollars on the G55 version... hehehe

[QuasarCav]

If you guys have ever been in the old Iltis you would be cheering.

5 times out of 10 they wouldn't start, the heater put out 5 BTU's and the 4 cyl couldn't get up most hills.

At 90km/hr on the highway I was scared for 6 hours that the thing would fall apart.

hooray for the military, now lets get some non vietnam-era radios.

[Ridelikeme]

like the other guy said... why not hummers, those things arent even intimidating.... with a hummer you think arnie is gonna come out and kick your ass.. when hes not to busy governing california

[Hakkola]

Hummers aren't half the vehicle that the G wagon is.

[rogue]

hummers are big and not really that usefull also designed pretty bad and the armor has magnesium in it so it burns fast and pretty much melts the damn thing if a mortor, rpg, or anti vehicle mine goes off. The Gwagon was originally made for the military so of course it is well suited and great for Canada as we need a versatile vehicle so we can go to the slim european streets of serbia to the open desert of afghanistan. The stupid iltis is useless for armour and teh damn thing has a VW fox engine so GUTLESS but sooooooooo cheap when they got them good for communications but bad for recon. About time the government invested in our military hopefully these will save some of our men and womens lives like the unlucky 3 who died in an iltis when it hit a anti personnel mine. That should never have happened:banghead:

[turboMiata]

Originally posted by benyl
Why not Humvees? (sp?)

Because Humvees suck. They are not suited for urban use because they are big and unreliable. The G-wagen has been in use by NATO and the canadian military for a long time.

[bighead2267]

no wonder our tax so high. :(

[MR.TWO]

wow:banghead: the canadien military driving a silver arrow.
why don't they just go buy them the new porch suv... it doesn't matter what they buy we still suck.. and if they are going to use our money might as well go with the best...