The Canadian military, facing major budget cutbacks, will get at least some new vehicles soon.
Analysts say the military budget cuts have been responsible for delays in shipbuilding, army vehicle purchases, aircraft purchases, and other equipment.
However, the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, (CANSOFCOM) will be getting 17 new vehicles known as “marginal terrain vehicles” (MTV), capable of operation over desert, soft earth, and snow. The value of the contract is expected to be around $60 million.
The armoured vehicles will be required to offer protection from explosive devices and gunfire.
The army was also to acquire up to 100 MTV’s mostly for arctic work, but that is now delayed until about 2023.
Officially, the Department of Defence says no purchases have been delayed by the budget cuts, as they have been able to trim billions from their operating budgets after thorough analysis of their books and operations.
Analysts discount that, saying the DND statement is being made so as not to embarrass the government. They cite as an example, the decision to hold off purchase of new maritime surveillance aircraft until 2030.
Arctic Rangers were also supposed to get new rifles to replace the WWII era Lee-Enfield bolt action rifles currently still in use. Replacements were to begin last year, but the $10 million project has been delayed until 2017-2021.
CANSOFCOM is moving forward to procure the MTV (marginal terrain vehicle) because currently, there are no in-service armour vehicles that meet the desired requirements and that are capable of operating equally-well in extreme global environments ranging from the Arctic to Arid regions,” the DND email noted.
The Department of Defence is expected to issue request for proposals sometime in May, although actual purchases may take much longer
An official with BAE System Hagglunds, which is partnered with Rheinmetall Canada, intends to offer its BvS10 vehicle, which is similar in many ways to the Bv206 currently operated by the Canadian Forces. General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada, in partnership with ST Kinetics, is also expected to bid on the project.
From the DND description and request for proposals.
The MTVs are required to be light armoured, tracked, articulated, amphibious vehicles with a front and rear car, which provide mobility while operating on hard or soft terrain, including snow, sand, tundra and water, in a variety of climates, ranging from arctic, to jungle, to desert. The design of the MTV will allow for the configuration to be changed depending on the mission. The ability to increase the ballistic and mine blast characteristics of the MTV with add on armour is required. Basic variants required will include an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) variant, a Logistical variant, an Ambulance variant, and a Command Post variant.
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