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

While Cougars are more tank-like than G Wagons, for specific purposes the Mercedes-Benz SUV will provide adequate armor

The new allotment of 357 G Wagons will replace Cougar direct fire support vehicles and aging Iltis light utility vehicles. (Photo: Cpl Chris Connolly, Op Athena Roto 1, Department of National Defence)

protection and greater reliability and maneuverability, among other things the most obvious being aging.

With regards the Iltis, however, age isn't its only problem. The Canadian military has experienced specific incidents where it hasn't measured up to the needs of ground troops in battle, having become especially apparent during ISAF deployment in Afghanistan.

While reports on the subject have been confusing at best, those knowledgeable have stated that the Iltis, which is not an armored vehicle, other than "blast blankets" fitted to Canadian Forces version meant to

An enclosed G Wagon with its Armour Protection System (APS) kit would have saved the lives of a number of Canadian soldiers who have died overseas in recent years. (Photo: Cpl Chris Connolly, Op Athena Roto 1, Department of National Defence)

absorb the blast and associated debris from small landmines, suffers from insufficient power for high elevations, poor mechanical reliability, and is not as safe for soldiers as the G Wagon due to its open-top design.

An enclosed G Wagon with its Armour Protection System (APS) kit most likely would have protected Cpl Jamie Murphy during a Taliban suicide bomber attack on January 27, 2004, in which he was killed, according to military analysts. In addition, Sgt Robert Short and Cpl Robbie Beerenfenger died while three other members of 3RCR were injured during an October 2003 attack of two Iltis vehicles on patrol 3.5 km outside of Kabul. They endured a blast of a large landmine, which reported could have been prevented if they were riding in an armored vehicle.