Canada to spend 5 billion on armoured vehicles and repairs.

The Canadian government is spending billions of our money to help support US imperialism wherever it may rear its head but right now the main focus is on Afghanistan. The carnage resulting from US and NATO misadventures in Afghanistan are costing many Canadian, American and Afghan lives and there is no end in sight. In fact the US is trying to convince the government to commit to Canadian involvement after 2011. Might as well start spending now so the military industrial complex involved can start to profit right away when most sectors are suffering from the recession.

Canada to spend $5B for armoured vehicles, LAV III repairs

CBC News

The LAV III is well liked by soldiers because of its ease of handling and protection. (Paul Hunter/CBC)

The federal government confirmed Wednesday it will spend $5 billion to purchase new combat vehicles and maintain the existing fleet for the Canadian Forces.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay made the announcement at CFB Gagetown in Oromocto, N.B., after word of the new funding leaked out on Tuesday.

Of the $5 billion, roughly $1 billion will be spent on upgrading and repairing 550 LAV IIIs, with an option to upgrade 80 more.

The rest of the money will be spent on three new types of vehicles, including:

• 108 close-combat vehicles (with an option to buy 30 more) to work with the army's Leopard tanks.
• 500 tactical armoured patrol vehicles (with an option to buy 100 more).
• 13 force mobility enhancement vehicles (with an option to buy five more) to carry equipment such as plows and building materials.

Contracts to manufacture and assemble the new vehicles, as well as long-term contracts to service and maintain them, will be awarded in 2011, said the government.

The first of the new vehicles should be in operation by 2012, with the "fully operational" fleet ready by 2015, said the government. Canada's combat mission in Afghanistan is set to end in 2011.

"Our government is committed to providing the army with the modern robust equipment it needs to fulfil its missions in today's dangerous operating environment," MacKay said.

"Wherever in the world Canadian soldiers find themselves, we owe it to them to give them the protective equipment that they need to do the job we've asked them to do."

Leslie said repairing the army's fleet of LAV IIIs at plants in London, Ont., and Edmonton could boost the country's sagging manufacturing sector, hit hard by the global recession.

London, Ont.-based General Dynamics Land Systems Canada will be the prime contractor to upgrade the LAVs.

Tom de Faye, the company's director of marketing and business development, said recent missions have taught them a great deal.

With files from The Canadian Press