[Newsbot]

<strong>Title: </strong> <a href="/link.php?id=21637" target="_blank">Canada in talks to give Afghans old tanks</a> (click to view)

<strong>Category:</strong> <a href="/news/topic/13-military" target="_blank">Military</a>
<strong>Posted By: </strong> <a href="/modules.php?name=Your_Account&op=userinfo&username=Scape" target="_blank">Scape</a>
<strong>Date: </strong> 2007-05-21 04:41:08
<strong>Canadian</strong>

[Arctic_Menace]

Seems like a fairly sound idea. What do you guys think?

[sandorski]

Would be a nice gesture, but if we are getting out of those tanks due to extreme heat for the crew, will the Afghanis actually use them?

[SprCForr]

Spare parts for them are getting scarce. No more logistics support by 2012, "complete obsolescence" by 2015. The Afghans don't need that headache.

[Scape]

Better than nothing and we are going to scrap them anyway. It's an interim fix until they get something more long term. This will be a good bridge for their crews to train on till that point.

[ridenrain]

I think it's a great idea.
Even at 30 years old, that tank has pretty much been the NATO standard and the plan was that the other NATO countries also donate gear.
Yes, the leopards don't have AC but the russian T72's don't either. We can't support their existing ex-russian fleet so this is the next best thing.

I'd like to see them get more light infantry and police gear but tanks are good too.

[SprCForr]

I was thinking more along the lines of something a little more current for example, the South Korean K1. It was designed for similar environmental conditions and terrain. It's still compatible with NATO weaponry.

[BartSimpson]

It's a very rational move to get the Afghans out of the lingering Russian orbit. Having them using NATO arms helps them better identify with their NATO compatriots.

It also makes it a whole lot easier for NATO troops to avoid fratricide in the heat of battle. If everyone is running around with Soviet weapons then everyone may look to be a target - this is really a great idea - thanks Canada!

[Clogeroo]

$1:

It's a very rational move to get the Afghans out of the lingering Russian orbit. Having them using NATO arms helps them better identify with their NATO compatriots.

It also makes it a whole lot easier for NATO troops to avoid fratricide in the heat of battle. If everyone is running around with Soviet weapons then everyone may look to be a target - this is really a great idea - thanks Canada!

Not many in the taliban have tanks from what I have seen.

[SprCForr]

Seen much have you?

[bootlegga]

I always thought that when we shipped them to Afghanistan that we wind up leaving them there instead of shipping them back. I guess it'll save up a million or two in air freight...

[uwish]

makes perfect sense considering it will cost more than their worth to get them back here!

[Heavy_Metal]

SprCForr SprCForr:

Spare parts for them are getting scarce. No more logistics support by 2012, "complete obsolescence" by 2015. The Afghans don't need that headache.

although very legitimate and reasonable concerns and issues brought up, i still think it is still a very good gesture/idea. if anything it will give the Afghani government needed firepower and intimidation to sustain their country when Canada pulls out.

I suppose that the tanks can always be modified....maybe different equipment on the existing unit, i know the Nazis did that a lot during WWII, if they did that in the 40's it shouldn't be too difficult to modify the tanks....i would think at least, i don't have a stitch of technical knowledge regarding modifications of modern battle tanks, just a thought, feel free to correct me.