Cdn Defence Minister to Announce $5-Billion for Armoured Vehicle

I don.t have the exact inventory figures of the CF, but I suspect it is in excess of  1000 LAVs on the inventory, possibly more when you look at various variations for Engineers, Mobile Repair Teams, etc.  Mortars, TOW Anti Armour Vehicles etc.

Retrofit of vehicles won.t be cheap either.

There is also the Coyote Masted Reconnaissance vehicle.

We have six regular force Mechanized Infantry Battalions and Three Light Infantry Battlions.  The light battalions convert to Mechanized Infantry when deployed to Afghanistan.  All soldiers are trained in Mechanized warfare.  The light infantry battalions specialize in Mountain warfare and airborne and heliborne operations.

Here is the organization of a Mechanized Infantry Platoon.

Thanks for the link

I like military organization data.

About time the government started funding new equipment.  We shouldn't have to depend on other countries' obsolete submarines either!  We have three oceans to keep track of.

The submarine acquisition was really dumb.  We had to refurbish them.  I don't even know if they're in service yet.

moonwolf

just what do you think would happen if Nato leaves Afghanistan.

Will peace break out? will groups who have killed each other for decades suddenly stop killing.?

What would keep a bad situation from getting worse?

There may be people behind the scenes pushing for CF-18 involvement in Afghanistan.  I doubt very much though that any politician would even consider it.  Although the public generally supports our troops in theatre and have accepted the idea that this mission will end in 2011, I doubt that they would keep quiet on the escalation of efforts.

Personally, I don't think that the military mission will continue past 2011 for the simple reason that our troops suffer operational fatigue.  I saw a very interesting interview with General Walt Natynchy on CBC a few days ago.  He makes it very clear that the Canadian Forces cannot continue with the present operational tempo.  This is also the case with equipment.

Take into consideration that those same troops, at the officer and non commissioned officer level, have been going on tours, starting with the former Yugoslavia in the early 90s, first as part of the UN (General Lew MacKenzie) and then as part of NATO.  With a force of 65,000 that is hardly sustainable.  Of those 65,000 only 9 Battalions do the dirty grunt work.

With one battlions deployed, one getting ready to deploy and one recuperating from the tour (sort of) it is not hard to figure out that can't last very long.  The remaining troops are involved in the various training establishments across the country.

I agree with your assessment of a quagmire.  In fact, the sucess of the Obama strategy has been in question as well.  Just today Brigadier General Nicholson, who commands 9000 US troops in Afghanistan, in a 30 minute teleconference said to do the mission he needed more troops. 

Although Op Kanjar (Strike of the Sword) started with great fanfare, 4000 troops don.t last very long when u have to leave some behind in every town or hamlet that you occupy.  He stated he wanted more Afghan troops.  Well, they have to be trained first.

The problem with the present policy is that in order to rebuild the country, you need to provide security first.  Only 600 ANA soldiers are available to Op Kanjar.

Nicholson was careful not to ask for more US troops, apparently he had been told not to by the National Security Advisor, General Jones.

Here is Afghanistan On Line.  It contains a 4 part History of Afghanistan.  Perhaps it will resolve some arguments.

The 30mm cannon and turret planned in the upgrade I believe is designed more for protecting our newly aquired Leapords as they are an amazing machine, and amazingly expensive. The armour upgrades that are being discussed can only weight down an already top heavy machine. I believe that if this governement is planning any upgrades we need to seriously look at high composite chobham(space age armour). It's reflective heat resistance mesh wiring can greatly increase the lives of the crew and the expensive gun and onboard detection systems. Having this kind of protection will also increase the operating capabilities of the Leopard as well. The Lav 3 is the premier body guard in the dessert right now. It provides civillian, convoy, logistic and troop coverage, no other fighting vehicle can boast such a operations portfolio.  To all those niegh sayers I think that you take to much for granted in this country, like your freedom. For our military to properly do thier jobs they need the right tools and training, and the support of the Canadian people. The world is watching and learning from our mistakes with the Lav 3, when the theater is over in 2012 I am confident that the plants in London and Edmonton will have there fill of orders from Army's around the world. And our army training our allies in what it is exactly that we have learned while fighting in the dessert.