EvanL
07-15-2004, 10:27 AM
Canadian Press
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
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OTTAWA (CP) - The Defence Department is exercising an $81-million option to buy another 357 Mercedes-Benz G Wagons, 20 of them armour equipped.
The G Wagon is replacing 20-year-old topless Iltis jeeps, a vehicle offering little protection from the elements or attacks. Three Canadian soldiers have died in Afghanistan in attacks on the Iltis. Two were killed in October 2003, when at least one anti-tank mine was set off. In January, a soldier died when a suicide bomber targeted his vehicle.
Last year, the department awarded a $130-million contract to Mercedes-Benz Canada for 802 vehicles and 150 armour protection systems. The original contract included an option to buy the additional vehicles, bringing the total number of G Wagons to 1159.
The basic G Wagon costs $44,000 Cdn. The full armour kit adds another $86,000 to the price tag.
G Wagons will also replace Cougar direct fire support vehicles, the department said Wednesday. G Wagons and 1,060 GM Silverado utility vehicles will gradually replace 1,900 Iltis jeeps through August 2005.
© Copyright 2004 The Canadian Press
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
ADVERTISEMENT
OTTAWA (CP) - The Defence Department is exercising an $81-million option to buy another 357 Mercedes-Benz G Wagons, 20 of them armour equipped.
The G Wagon is replacing 20-year-old topless Iltis jeeps, a vehicle offering little protection from the elements or attacks. Three Canadian soldiers have died in Afghanistan in attacks on the Iltis. Two were killed in October 2003, when at least one anti-tank mine was set off. In January, a soldier died when a suicide bomber targeted his vehicle.
Last year, the department awarded a $130-million contract to Mercedes-Benz Canada for 802 vehicles and 150 armour protection systems. The original contract included an option to buy the additional vehicles, bringing the total number of G Wagons to 1159.
The basic G Wagon costs $44,000 Cdn. The full armour kit adds another $86,000 to the price tag.
G Wagons will also replace Cougar direct fire support vehicles, the department said Wednesday. G Wagons and 1,060 GM Silverado utility vehicles will gradually replace 1,900 Iltis jeeps through August 2005.
© Copyright 2004 The Canadian Press