Canada to send tanks, more troops to bolster efforts in Afghanistan

The move is sure to draw criticism from the NDP and other groups which have called for Canada to end its military mission in Afghanistan and focus on rebuilding and negotiations with insurgents.

Thirty-two Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have been killed in Afghanistan since the mission began in 2002. Thirteen soldiers have died since Aug. 1, most in fighting with Taliban insurgents.

"We told our young men and women when we sent them to Afghanistan . . . we know that the risk is high but we would ensure that they had the necessary capabilities and necessary tools to do their job," said Gen. Rick Hillier, chief of the defence staff.

"We're all aware that conditions have changed . . . We saw a change in (Taliban) tactics where they really moved from a guerrilla warfare type style, a counter-insurgency, to some conventional techniques."

Hillier said the tanks, with their thick armour and 105-mm cannon, will provide extra protection and punch for the soldiers on the ground.

Four tanks will be sent as soon as air shipment can be arranged, with another nine to follow.

The anti-mortar unit uses radar to detect incoming shells, track back their trajectory and detect where they were fired from, allowing pinpoint retaliation.

Hillier said the Taliban has fielded bigger weapons in recent fighting, including heavy machine-guns, mortars and perhaps even recoilless rifles. The latter are a kind of poor man's artillery, which can fire large-calibre shells.

Lt.-Gen. Michel Gauthier, said NATO's move into southern Afghanistan, a Taliban hotbed, prompted the insurgents to become bolder, to the point where in recent weeks they dug in for an unexpected, head-to-head confrontation.

The change in Taliban tactics from roadside booby traps and ambushes to stand-up fighting means a change in Canadian tactics and equipment, he said.

Gauthier said the reinforcements will provide greater mobility, protection, flexibility and firepower.

The infantry reinforcements will come from Quebec's Royal 22nd Regiment, the tanks from Edmonton.

Alex Morrison, executive director of the Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies, welcomed the move to reinforce the mission with tanks.

"The concern I have is that they weren't deployed sooner," he said. "That's the result of the Canadian army deciding a couple of years ago it was going to give up tanks.

"I'm glad that we kept some around so that they could go to Afghanistan, where I think they are sorely needed in the terrain that's prevalent over there."

The engineers will be equipped with Badger engineer vehicles which are a kind of combination bulldozer, crane, power shovel and tow truck.

Hillier said the engineers will "go in and develop the specific projects that we want to take place short term, whether that's roads, bridges, tunnels, schools, medical clinics."

Leslie said the reinforcements will help in rebuilding the country by improving security.

"Reconstruction is the priority, but that's really hard to do when you have to worry about protecting the weak and the innocent and our own soldiers."

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