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Cdn. troops to get new tanks in Afghanistan
Updated Thu. Apr. 12 2007 4:08 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
In an effort to bolster resistance against Taliban forces in southern Afghanistan, Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor announced a two-part plan that will provide soldiers with new tanks by this summer.
O'Connor announced the Canadian government will purchase 100 Leopard A6M tanks from the Netherlands, which will replace the 17 aging Leopard C2s currently being used in the country.
"Our Leopard One fleet is almost 30 years old and we are one of the last two countries in the world to use them," O'Connor said on Thursday during a press conference in Quebec City.
The tanks are slated to arrive in Canada by the fall of 2007.
The defence minister also announced a new deal with Germany to lease 20 Leopard A6M tanks which will arrive in Afghanistan as early as summer 2007 to help strengthen efforts against an expected Taliban spring resurgence.
The new tanks will offer soldiers stronger firing capabilities, faster land speeds and more armour to protect against roadside bombs.
"These tanks are truly effective," O'Connor said.
The manufacturer has planned to stop making replacement parts for the current Leopard C2s tanks being used by the Canadian military by 2012.
The 100 tanks purchased from the Netherlands are expected to arrive in Canada by late August or early September.
"They have been well maintained because the Netherlands planned to sell them. They are in very good condition," O'Connor said.
The tanks will be refurbished -- the work will be contracted out to a Canadian company -- and 20 of the upgraded tanks will be sent immediately to Afghanistan to replace the leased German Leopard A6M's.
CTV's Paul Workman has reported on the incredible heat endured by personnel inside the aging Leopard tanks, which are not equipped with air conditioning.
O'Connor confirmed today that both the leased German tanks and the 100 tanks purchased from the Netherlands will be equipped with air cooling systems.
Eight NATO leaders met in Quebec City on Thursday to discuss how to better coordinate their efforts in Afghanistan.
O'Connor said NATO leaders will not increase the amount of troops in the country.
However, the U.S. has extended its presence in Afghanistan at least until the end of the summer, while Poland and Australia have committed more troops to southern areas of the country, which is believed to be enough to carry NATO forces through the hazardous summer months.
Spring offensive
NATO is in the midst of Operation Achilles, a spring offensive meant to pre-empt an expected Taliban campaign. Insurgent attacks are typically stepped up after winter snows melt and mountain passes reopen, allowing militants to travel more freely.
Six Canadians were killed and a seventh was seriously wounded on Sunday when a roadside bomb was detonated. Two more were killed on Wednesday by another roadside bomb.
For months, the U.S. and NATO have called on other member nations to make a greater contribution to the campaign. O'Connor has also joined in, urging countries to remove caveats on their soldiers so they can participate in the heavy fighting in the south.
The U.S., U.K. and Canada have handled most of the actual combat operations against the Taliban.
With files from The Associated Press