recceguy, where and how on the DND website did you find the LUVW infromation (not the acutal page, I already checked that out)? According to tha page the government appears to be leaning away from buying the Hummer. It amazes me that we don‘t do the simplest and easiest thing we can do. The goverment also seems to be leaning away from buying the other two obvious and capable light utility vehicles that could easily fullfill both the SMP and COTS pattern requirements. The Land Rover Defender 110/130 and the Daimler-Benz G-Wagon series are perhaps even better vehicles than the Hummer to replace the Itis. The Brute is not used by anyone else in any kind of numbers so it will end up being more expensive than any of the three mentioned. Ford currently makes no vehicles in any significant numbers for any military (nice choice). The Brute is currently being highly considered, because it will be made by Diesel Division General Motors in London, Ontarion. Mark my words, DND will buy the Brute and the militarized Sierra seires of trucks as the COTS. This may make good sense financially, because the reserve will be able to fix the vehicles "downtown", but is useless for training. The COTS will not be able to mount a C-6 or a .50 cal. Oh yeah, there being taken out of service, becuase the reg force mechanized battalions have 25mm chain guns on the LAV III. Another political decision that undermines the military. The regular army also three light infantry battalions that are "quasi-mechnanized" when ever they have to be deployed. Where does this leave the reserve infantry, up the creek without a paddle. If the government had any forthought or any idea of what the military needs. They might start by asking soldiers, not just "yes men-women" officers only concerned with their careers. This sight alone gernerates far better ideas than anything I have ever seen on the DND website.
If the government was really trying to outfit the army with an effective light vehicle they would purchase one of three vehicles that I have suggested, with preference for the Land Rover Defender110/130. Canadians constantly work with both the Brits and the Americans for excercies and operations. The Land Rover Defender is capable of being armoured and armed with C-6 to.50 Cal sized weapons. The 130 will also make an excellent replacement for the LSVW when it is clear that it is too expensive to keep. The width and weight make the Defender a better choice than the Hummer which is only marginally superior in most areas. The Hummer also consumes a lot more fuel than the Defender. The Defender can also be fixed downtown at most garages, because it is based on a commercial vehicle, whereas the Hummer requires specialized mechanics. The Defender is a great vehicle in widespread military and civilian use worldwide and will likely be so for many years to come. The G-Wagon is very similar to the Defender, but is slightly more expensive, because it has fewer users and "its German" an excellent light truck, but like all German vehicles, it tends to be pricier. The Hummer will have a higher purchase cost, but low in-service support costs due to the easy access to the US militaries spares and support system. These vehicles descirbed would be far better than any offer from Ford or GM. GM just owns AM General. The best bet would be to shortlist the three descirbed and select the best bid. Buy one vehicle simply maintenance and training. Costlier to transport to training areas, but as costly as leasing/renting $40-50,000 SUVs and full size trucks? Probably not when training advantages are added in.
