Department of National Defence Adds More Mercedes G Wagons to Canadian Armed Forces

Canadian Armed Forces personnel became the largest component of the 4,400-person ISAF Kabul Multinational Brigade in

Members of the 1st Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (1 PPCLI) Battle Group, based out of Camp Courcelette in Bihac, Bosnia-Herzegovina, are seen conducting "presence patrols" in an Iltis light utility vehicle near the Croatian border at an abandoned airfield in November of 2002. (Photo: MCpl Paul MacGregor Canadian Forces Combat Camera, Department of National Defence)

August of last year, at 1,900 or about 40 percent of the brigade's troops. In comparison, the U.S. has deployed some 9,000 combat troops in Afghanistan. Only 110 of the U.S. troops are used for ISAF "peacekeeping" roles, however, but rather the majority of U.S. forces have been heading up search-and-destroy operations against armed Afghan militias opposed to the occupation.

Ottawa initially announced that it would provide Afghanistan with close to USD$150 million in assistance for 2003, making the Central Asian country the largest single recipient of Canadian foreign aid. By contrast, the U.S. has pledged USD$900 million to Afghanistan for reconstruction aid.

Canada will hand over command of ISAF's Kabul headquarters in August of this

A Canadian Forces' G-Wagon passes by the main entrance to Camp Julien, in Kabul, Afghanistan in March of 2004. (Photo: Cpl Chris Connolly, Op Athena Roto 1, Department of National Defence)

year, pulling out approximately 1,500 of the 2,000 troops it now has in Afghanistan.

Only last year Canada's Department of National Defence awarded a $130 million contract to Mercedes-Benz Canada for 802 G Wagons and 150 Armour Protection Systems. Part of the 2003 contract was an option to purchase additional Gelaendewagens, which the Canadian Armed Forces has just exercised. This brings the total number of G Wagons in Canada's military to 1159.

The new allotment of 357 G Wagons will replace Cougar direct fire support vehicles and aging Iltis light utility vehicles. Volkswagen also makes a version of the Iltis, being employed in Afghanistan.