Canadian tanks were involved in battle on Sunday, for the first time in half a century
The newly-deployed Leopard Tanks fired their cannons in response to a Taliban rocket attack on the forward operating base near the village of Panjwaii, Afghanistan.
The tank squadron arrived at the base just one day earlier. The convoy made an impressive show of force as it travelled through the village on Saturday, and Sunday's Taliban attack appeared to be a direct response to the display, said CTV's Steve Chao, reporting from the base.
"Just before the sun went down two rockets were fired at the Canadian forward operating base in Ma'sum Ghar where we are currently," Chao told CTV Newsnet.
"In response to the two rockets that were fired, the Canadian Leopard tanks returned fire. We could hear the echo through the mountains where we are and this marked the first time in more than 50 years that Canadian tanks have been involved in combat."
Canada became the first NATO country to send tanks into combat in Afghanistan on Saturday.
"They know we're here ... (and) we think they're somewhat nervous of us,'' Cpl. Andrew Baird, 23, of Parry Sound, Ont. told The Canadian Press.
"I think it surprised them that we arrived and we're here now and we're here to stay.''
"The Taliban refer to the tanks as the superbeast. They used to refer to the Russian attacks as beasts and we're called the superbeasts now.''
The tanks were sent into action after weeks of trial runs, and only after they were shipped to the war-torn nation at a cost of $1 million per tank, said Chao.
They will be used to protect convoys -- which have often been targeted by roadside and suicide bombings -- and Canada's reconstruction team as it attempts to rebuild Afghanistan's infrastructure.
Canadian casualties have been high in the south due to attacks by suicide bombers, and the tanks' arrival helped boost spirits.
"It does bring a few things to the table. The Battle Group is extremely well-equipped and prepared for their mission,'' said Maj. Trevor Cadieu, commander of B-Squadron.
"We're here to augment it with increased fire capability. We have the ability to reach out and touch up to several kilometres,'' he added.
Tanks were last used in Afghanistan's rugged terrain three decades ago when the former Soviet Union made its siege on the nation.
However, Chao said the big difference, according to Canadian commanders, is that the Leopard Tanks are there to protect Afghans and put down the Taliban insurgency.
In addition, the Canadian tanks have been tailored specifically for service in local terrain.
They are equipped with more powerful engines than traditional tanks and a more accurate 105-millimetre gun.
And the Canadian Forces has spent almost $200 million on custom upgrades, beefing up the tank's armour and weapons systems for combat in the rugged mountain passes where the Soviets failed.
There are about 2,500 Canadian troops serving in Afghanistan. Including Monday's deaths, 44 have died since 2002, plus one diplomat.
With files from The Canadian Press and a report from CTV's Steve Chao in Kandahar
Updated Sun. Dec. 3 2006 5:33 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Kanadensiska Leopard C2 med MEXAS-pansar, skyddsnivå nu?
Så fick de skjuta lite också.
De ska ju dessutom snart pensioneras, så då kanske det inte är så noga med om det blir större slitage på motorerna? Det är ju dessutom en "combat zone" där kanadensiska soldater dödar och dödas, och då gäller förstås helt andra regler än om Leoparderna skulle ha körts omkring på ett övningsfält i Kanada.MD650 skrev:Gissningsvis höjt effekten på befintliga. Det är ju en enkel åtgärd att vidta.Battler skrev: Har de bytt motorerna, eller höjt effekten på befintliga ?
MVH
Om jag förstått saken rätt så har man i såväl den politiska som militära ledningen i Kanada nu på allvar börjat diskutera en stridsvagn som ersättare. Men vi får väl se vad det blir av det hela, stridsvagnar är som bekant väldigt dyra.
95-96 tittade kanadenserna på ett nytt strf bl.a. strf 90. Dock ansåg den för provokativ men den kanske är gångbar nu.mustamato skrev: Om jag förstått saken rätt så har man i såväl den politiska som militära ledningen i Kanada nu på allvar börjat diskutera en stridsvagn som ersättare. Men vi får väl se vad det blir av det hela, stridsvagnar är som bekant väldigt dyra.
