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Put Leopards in Afghanistan stuff HERE

The leopard tanks have a 105-millimetre cannon, a gun about four times more powerful than any other weapon the Canadian military is now using in the region.

4x more powerful than a 155-mm howitzer?
 
perhaps they meant the 25mm

either way more bodies on the ground the better...for all sorts of stuff like OP shift.
 
I think they probably mean self-propelled weapon or vehicle mounted weapon. But you're right, they should clarify these things.
 
Canadian tanks deployed in Afghanistan combat
Updated Sat. Dec. 2 2006 12:39 PM ET Canadian Press
Article Link

PANJWAII, Afghanistan -- It's the reason they're called "rolling thunder.''

The throaty roar of engines announcing the approach of the squadron of Canadian Leopard tanks could be heard from kilometres away as they emerged from the mist and rain Saturday to back up ground troops in the war-torn Panjwaii district.

The 42-tonne monsters left Kandahar Airfield under the cover of darkness early Saturday morning in the first combat deployment of Canadian tanks since the Korean War.

Hours later they rolled down the streets of the village of Panjwaii in an impressive show of force on their way to the nearby forward operating base, or FOB.

Residents of Panjwaii, hearing the rumble of the metal tracks biting into the concrete, rushed from their homes to watch the biggest display of firepower since their war with the Soviets in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

It also caused excitement at the FOB. Battle weary troops, who have been fighting the Taliban on a regular basis, couldn't contain their glee.

"Merry Christmas to the Taliban,'' said one soldier.

"It's time to open a can of whuppass,'' said another.

The tank crews, members of Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) armoured regiment based in Edmonton, were excited to be finally joining the fight.
More on link

 
Canadian tanks deployed in combat situation for 1st time since Korean War
December 2, 2006 - 9:34 am

By: BILL GRAVELAND

PANJWAII, Afghanistan (CP) - It's the reason they're called "rolling thunder."

The throaty roar of engines announcing the approach of the squadron of Canadian Leopard tanks could be heard from kilometres away as they emerged from the mist and rain Saturday to back up ground troops in the war-torn Panjwaii district.

The 42-tonne monsters left Kandahar Airfield under the cover of darkness early Saturday morning in the first combat deployment of Canadian tanks since the Korean War.

Hours later they rolled down the streets of the village of Panjwaii in an impressive show of force on their way to the nearby forward operating base, or FOB.

Residents of Panjwaii, hearing the rumble of the metal tracks biting into the concrete, rushed from their homes to watch the biggest display of firepower since their war with the Soviets in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

It also caused excitement at the FOB. Battle weary troops, who have been fighting the Taliban on a regular basis, couldn't contain their glee.

"Merry Christmas to the Taliban," said one soldier.

"It's time to open a can of whuppass," said another.

The tank crews, members of Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) armoured regiment based in Edmonton, were excited to be finally joining the fight.

"This is definitely going to send a serious message to the Taliban," said Trooper Ian MacDougall, 30, of Burlington, Ont.

"Everybody likes the tanks. It's the first combat deployment since Korea. It's pretty interesting to be part of that."

Military officials will only say the Leopard tanks are there to "augment" the efforts of the Battle Group in this region, surrounded by mountains, fields of opium poppies and marijuana and a former stronghold of the Taliban.

Moving the tanks through the village was no accident.

"I'm confident the sign of the tanks showing up will represent to the people around here and probably the Taliban as well the resolve of the coalition to bring security to this area," said Maj. Trevor Cadieu, 33, of Vernon, B.C., commander of the squadron.

"Introducing the Leopard tank into this theatre will certainly beef up our firepower and protection. We're dealing largely with an insurgent threat that chooses to fight us with small arms and RPGs (rocket propelled grenades)."

"We have that ability to reach out to several kilometres with a 105-millimetre cannon," he added.

Trooper Matt Dube, 25, of Montreal said he saw a few smiles on the faces of the residents of Panjwaii and has hopes his squadron will ultimately making a difference in the region.

"It's going to be great because we're really going to help them solve this problem once and for all," Dube said with a smile. "I think we will do great here and eventually peace will come back to this region."

"We're finally going to do our job."

Cadieu said it's been tough sitting on the sidelines while the fighting was going on in Panjwaii.

"It's been a long journey for this squadron and we've been in Afghanistan now for about a month so these soldiers are extremely motivated to join the fight with the Battle Group and to be able to contribute to any operations here," added Cadieu.

"It is historic. The Strathconas have had tanks deployed to Kosovo but it is the first time tanks have been deployed in combat operations since Korea," he said.

And while the remains of Soviet tanks still sit rusting in the village and surrounding area, these tanks are suited for the mountainous terrain said the commander.

"The terrain here isn't bad at all for tanks. We just conducted a move over 60 or 70 kilometres. We started this move with the whole squadron, we finished the move with the whole squadron," added Cadieu.

Dube said the Taliban won't know what hit them when they eventually go toe-to-toe with the Leopards.

"Nothing on the ground right now can compare to this. This is ten times more powerful than anything on the ground," said Dube.

"I mean 25-millimetre guns on LAVs (light armoured vehicles) is the biggest thing we have right now. This is bigger. This is stronger."

Canada spent C$200 million upgrading the Leopard tanks and improving their armour. It cost $1 million apiece to transport 15 of the tanks, which each have a four-member crew, from their base at Wainwright, Alta., to the Kandahar base.


News1130
 
Any mention if the AEVs rolled out too, or will they be stuck in the rear with the gear?
 
I just get giddy hearing about it.. must be amazing for the guys/gals at the FOB to see those monsters rolling in.  Here comes the cavalry!
 
The are as much a psycological weapon as anything, they say we are here to win. :tank:
 
Isn't this a very risky move? If we were to lose a tank here the half-commies would jump all over it and draw as many unsubstantiated parallels to the Soviets as to undermine our entire mission (not that they don't already this would just give them more ammo)
 
rmacqueen said:
They are as much a psycological weapon as anything, they say we are here to win. :tank:

Even Freud would have to agree that sometimes a liquid hot HESH round is just a liquid hot HESH round.

Seriously, though.  There are tactical & psychological advantages of having an enemy's grey matter spread out across an entire grid square.
 
very impressive...........however........I would give a left "appendage"  to be serving the guns over there  ;D

go, Strats!

Ubique
 
Lone Wolf Quagmire said:
I've got to say the pics don't do it justice as in person. ;D
I'd agree 100%!!!!!!!!!
First time I saw tanks (in the field), I heard them coming for what seemed liked hours prior.  Then the ground started shaking, etc.  When they arrived, words couldn't and still can't describe how I felt.
 
I remember the first time I heard C Sqn RCD on the move through the Lawfield Corridor, just after I had graduated Phase Trg.  I was several grid squares away, and they were not coming anywhere near me and I was mightly impressed.  The whole world shook.  I can only imagine what a 4 Sqn, 80 tank Regiment must sound like heading towards you, firing main armament.  No thanks!
 
Well, the regiments of old had three squadrons, for a total of 59 tanks, but yeah, one could only imagine!  Yikes!
 
Michael Baker said:
Quote
PANJWAII, Afghanistan -- For the first time since the Korean War, Canadian tanks have been deployed in a combat situation.


A squadron of Canadian leopard tanks rolled through the village of Panjwaii on Saturday morning, putting on an impressive show of force for locals before arriving at the local forward observation base.


Maj. Trevor Cadieu, the commander of B Squadron, says the deployment of the tanks, which arrived in Kandahar a month ago, will send a message to the Taliban.


He says it shows that coalition forces are determined to bring peace and security to the region.


The Panjwaii district has been the major battleground between Canadian troops and Taliban insurgents.


The leopard tanks have a 105-millimetre cannon, a gun about four times more powerful than any other weapon the Canadian military is now using in the region.

Well it's good to see, we will show the Taliban from now on not to mess with the Canadians.  :cdn:  :salute:

4 X more powerful than a 155mm fired by an M777???

maybe he meant 4 x more visible?
 
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