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G-Wagon
Photo credit: The Department of National Defence
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G-Wagon
The Gwagon is the main training vehicle in Canada for reserve armoured recce regiments. This vehicle allows all drills and tactics to be practiced in local areas easily and without significant support issues. The SALH use this vehicle with a cupola to refine light mounted recce skills.
Canadian troops in Kabul took delivery of 60 new Mercedes Benz G Wagons and are using the vehicles on patrols.
The first 60 of the 802 G Wagons acquired by the Army to form part of its Light Utility Vehicle Wheeled fleet arrived in Afghanistan between March 5 and 13.
Dedicated to operationally tasked field units—both Regular and Reserve Force—and training establishments, the G Wagon will be used to provide tactical transport in the fields of command and control, liaison, reconnaissance and military police.
With its 2.7 litre, 5-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, near a ton of plated armour and bulletproof glass, and almost a half-metre of ground clearance, it's not your normal SUV.
Those who had the chance to test drive it on the 20 km trip from the Kabul airport to Camp Julien were unanimous: The G Wagon is robust, drives smoothly and leave you with a confident feeling of security.
The armour protection systems kit is tailor designed so complete sections of the vehicle—such as doors and windshield—can be removed and replaced by armoured modules. It provides NATO level 1 protection against small arms and protection against and grenades and anti-personnel mines. Additional armoured components are included to protect the floor, roof and rear wall of the crew area.
A total of 802 G Wagons and 160 armour protection systems are being supplied to the Canadian Forces by Mercedes Benz Canada through a $130.4-million contract awarded in October 2003.
In addition, 1061 militarized commercial off-the-shelf (MILCOTS) Silverado (4x4) vehicles in three variants—basic, cable layers and military police—are being acquired from General Motors and will be distributed to both Regular and Reserve Force units across the country to replace the Iltis.
Beyond the 60 G Wagons already received by troops deployed in Kabul, an additional 40 will be delivered to the Canadian Forces shortly. The remainder of the fleet will be fielded over the next several months to units in Canada.
G Wagon technical specifications:
VARIANTS: 3 (basic, command and reconnaissance, military police)
TYPE: 4 Pax Station Wagon
ENGINE: 5-cylinders
DRIVETRAIN: 4X4 permanent all-wheel drive, 5-speed automatic
TIRES: Michelin XZL 8.25R16 with optional run-flat inserts.
FORDING ABILITY: 600 mm
GROUND CLEARANCE: 43.9 cm
SIDE SLOPE ANGLE: 30º
APPROACH ANGLE: 40º
GRADEABILITY: 60 percent
PAYLOAD: 1500 kg max. (incl APS)
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