Mercedes-Benz Canada to supply G-wagons to the Canadian military




Toronto, Ontario – Mercedes-Benz Canada has been chosen to supply approximately 800 Light Utility vehicles to the Canadian military to replace the Iltis in operationally tasked Field Force units and training establishments. The G270 CDI Light Utility Vehicle Wheeled (LUVW) G-Wagon, also known as the Gelaendewagen, which means cross country vehicle in German, is manufactured by DaimlerChrysler at the Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria.

The G-Wagon was developed for military applications and has been continuously updated with new technology. A truly rugged off-road vehicle, it can carry up to four soldiers, their military kits, weapons and other military and radio equipment. Powered by the latest common rail diesel technology, the 5 cylinder inline turbocharged intercooled G270 CDI engine meets the Department of National Defence (DND)’s fuel efficiency and exhaust emission requirements.

While the majority of vehicles will be used in support and administrative roles, the G-wagon is specifically designed to accommodate an armoured protection system (APS) which can be installed in a matter of hours. Although all vehicles are fitted to accept the APS kit, a minimum of 150 kits will be purchased for use, as required, on deployed operations and missions throughout the world.

The permanent 4x4 all-wheel drive G-wagon’s GVW is 4.8 tons and will be configured in three variants: Basic Vehicle, Command and Reconnaissance and Military Police. Both on and off road, it will be used for transport of personnel, for towing trailers or carrying loads up to 750 kg. The vehicle has a 40 degree approach angle, a gradeability of 60%, a 25°tilt angle and three lockable differentials which allows it to perform in the most demanding conditions.

Over 60,000 military G-wagons have been sold to NATO allies and armies around the world. Built to withstand extreme stress in the field, the G-wagon’s resilience has been proven time and again in the most extreme conditions.

The first 60 vehicles were deployed in Kabul, Afghanistan at the beginning of March, and an additional 40 vehicles will be delivered to DND by the end of the month.

President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada, Marcus Breitschwerdt, commented, “Mercedes-Benz Canada is very pleased to be the chosen supplier for this important Canadian Land Force project. The due diligence process was extremely stringent and we are particularly proud that our vehicles met all the rigorous requirements. ” He added, “Many are familiar with the G500 street version of the G-wagon, which was introduced in Canada in 2001 as a luxury SUV. What most don’t know is that the G-wagon was originally designed for military purposes and was subsequently - and very successfully - adapted for civilian use.”

CanadianDriver.com

I'm glad they are getting the G-Wagon, its an excellent vehicle that has an outstanding track record. The old vehicles were a joke.

what is the canadian military up to these days anyway??

Secretly buildinga super army behind our backs ready to invade america at any moment. And I say WELCOME MY CANADIAN BROTHERS!!

The Canadian military has significant Peacekeeping deployments in Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Haiti at the moment.

You can get a full list of current operations here: http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/operations/cu...rrent_ops_e.asp

(If you're interested in current US deployments check here)

what was canada's previous vehicle...?

man they're vehicle is uber cooler than the US's HUMMWV.

They had a Belgian vehicle called the Iltis (reminded me mostly of a Yugo!)

^^ VOLKSWAGEN?! ^^



Not to be a stupid patriot american but nothing can really beat the versitility of the HUMVEE. Would a G-Wagen protect all the passengers if by change it ran over a landmine?

Canada has a MILITARY???

Wow...

-Jesse <- Going to Montreal this week!!

looks a hell of a lot better than those funky little things they used to have, but H1 >

You're right in that it was originally a VW design. The Canadian version of the vehicle was built in Belgium however by Bombardier.

The US Marines actually have some G-Wagons as well, they call them IFAVs.



Interim Fast Attack Vehicles (IFAV)

The Marine Corp's Interim Fast Attack Vehicle (IFAV) is a DaimlerChrysler model of the Mercedes-Benz MB 290 GD 1.5 ton truck off-road vehicle built as the Wolf Gelaendegaengige Kleinfahrzeuge {small all terrain vehicle} for the German Bundeswehr. First deployed to a US Marine unit in November 1999, the IFAV replaces its early 1980s counterpart, the M-151 Fast Attack Vehicle, which previously served as a smaller attack version of the humvee. Of major importance to Marine commanders is the increased offensive power the IFAV offers. A primary advantage of the IFAV is its ability to be transported internally by Marine Corps’ workhorse aircraft, to include the CH-46 Sea Knight, CH-53 Sea Stallion, and in the future, the V-22 Osprey.

well, he's just saying that to be spared.

being an american i am well aware of the hummwv's merits...

Wow, it weighs 4.8 tons.

And yes it probably could have a chance of surviving an AT Mine... with the armor installed. This looks like a good vehicle for SMALL, tight spaces where they would be deployed.

It's not that surprising since a lot of utility vehicles worldwide are Benz's

No, 4.8 tons is the Gross Vehicle Weight, not the curb weight.

Canadian army rules. Nobody knows it thoug.... and we're small... thats the problem.

Yup , the GVWR includes maximum payload & passengers.

I wanna join the Canadian army. I mean lets face it, nobody starts shit with Canada. Canada keeps to itself and leaves everybody else alone. Smart thinkin!

Well just so you know the Canadian military is extremely under funded and has constant equipment issues. I'm sure you'd love to fly in one of our 40-year old helicopters which require 30 hours of maintenance for ever 2 hours of flight time.

Canada is pretty active in UN military dealies.

I feel proud to say that I live near the SeaKing base in Shearwater, Nova scotia.

Seakings kick ass! Can't they hold torpedoes or something like that?

They can't hold any weapons because the risk of it crashing is too high.

Sad, but true.