Concerns raised about new Canadian Army trucks

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The Canadian Forces says it remains confident that its newest army vehicle will meet all its needs despite concerns raised by U.S. officials that the trucks lack protection, are too cramped and have had problems with cracked engines and steering loss.

Canada is spending almost $36 million for 90 Light Tactical Vehicles for Canadian Army personnel deployed to Latvia. The vehicles, being built in the United States by General Motors Defense, are based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 pickup truck and have also been bought by the U.S. military.

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In 2020 and 2022, though, Pentagon test officials raised concerns about the vehicle, warning that it was not operationally effective for combat missions against near-peer threats.

Other deficiencies highlighted included engine cracks and steering loss and that the truck was so cramped the soldiers couldn’t reach their weapons.

A test report noted the lack of ballistic protection, also pointing out that, due to the design, “personal weapons were not easily accessible on the move, degrading the ability of the squad to quickly react to enemy actions and ambushes.”

During the U.S. testing, the vehicles proved to be so ineffective that troops ditched their trucks and proceeded on foot to accomplish their missions, the U.S. defence website Task and Purpose reported in 2022.

Despite the concerns, the U.S. Army decided to proceed with buying the vehicles, countering that improvements had been made.

Sonia Taylor, spokeswoman for General Motors Defense, said the issues raised in the 2022 test report were specific to the harsh and extreme testing environment in Yuma, Ariz.. All those issues were addressed with the U.S. Army and a new vehicle was produced for testing, she added in an email.

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“There were no mission failures or system aborts from the last round of testing, and GM Defense received a full-rate production decision from the (U.S.) Army, validating our manufacturing and engineering processes,” Taylor wrote.

National Defence spokesperson Frédérica Dupuis told the Ottawa Citizen that the vehicle had a proven record with NATO and that an off-the-shelf design was needed by Canada to ensure quick delivery to soldiers.

“As with current and future vehicle fleets, DND works very closely with manufacturers so that vehicles not only meet requirements, but also operate as intended and are safe for our members to use,” Dupuis added in her email.

Dupuis said the vehicles, which share 90 per cent commonality with the Chevrolet Colorado, were selected for their unique combination of high payload capacity and off-road mobility.

A number of Canadian soldiers pointed out on social media that Latvia, where the vehicles are to be used, sometimes gets frigid temperatures and snow, but they noted the vehicles had no protection from the elements.

The Ottawa Citizen asked questions about protecting the troops from the cold and elements and whether there was an enclosure for the vehicles to protect soldiers. Neither National Defence nor the Canadian Army would answer those questions.

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In its original news release, issued July 23, the Canadian Forces said the light forces equipped with the new trucks would be able to carry enough cargo, weapons and combat supplies to be self-sufficient for 72 hours.

The contract also includes integrated logistics support and up to two years of spare parts for the fleet, as well as an option to buy up to an additional 18 trucks. 

A request for proposals was issued to industry in the spring for the Light Tactical Vehicles. Only one bid was received, Public Services and Procurement Canada spokeswoman Michèle LaRose confirmed.

Initial training by the Canadian Army is expected to begin later in August and the Light Tactical Vehicles should all be in Latvia by October.

Canadian Army commander Lt. Gen. Michael Wright said the investment in the new trucks was not only improving the service’s operational readiness, but was “also enhancing its deterrence posture on the eastern flank of NATO.”

The Canadian Forces noted that, although the contract was with GM Defence Canada of Oshawa, Ont., the vehicles would actually be made by GM Defense LLC and would come from Concord, N.C.

The life expectancy for the new fleet is estimated at 15 years.

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