Canadian Army

Novascotiaboy

Active Member
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Just surfing the net and noted that Canada has 20 GDF-005 twin 35 mm cannon stored for emergency use. I remember 4 AD from Moncton NB bringing one of these to our community 20 years ago and firing a burst. This was a demo thank you to the community for assistance to its members during their deployment during search operations for SWISSAIR 111 in 1998.

If these guns are out of service is there any anti aircraft capability besides coaxial or pintle HMG in service in Canadian inventory?
 

ngatimozart

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
Just surfing the net and noted that Canada has 20 GDF-005 twin 35 mm cannon stored for emergency use. I remember 4 AD from Moncton NB bringing one of these to our community 20 years ago and firing a burst. This was a demo thank you to the community for assistance to its members during their deployment during search operations for SWISSAIR 111 in 1998.

If these guns are out of service is there any anti aircraft capability besides coaxial or pintle HMG in service in Canadian inventory?
The guns on your LAVs should do the trick if the have the correct sights such as the UTAAS Tank and Anti-Aircraft System - Universal Sight and Fire-Control System which would do the job nicely. IIRC the LAV6 has gone to a 30 mm gun. Also if Mistral or FIM-92 Stinger was mounted in box launchers on the turret side you would have a good VSHORAD system that could be used on all the LAVs and if the Mistral / Stingers were mounted in conjunction with ATGM, such as the FGM-148 Javelin Anti Tank Guided Missile, a lethal vehicle.
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
No, I believe Canada’s upgraded LAVs still have their 25mm guns. Other LAV 6 users have gone to 30mm. Perhaps Canada will be taking Saudi LAVs to prevent contract penalties by GD should junior cancel the contract with Saudi Arabia. Don’t really need them though except for bigger guns if they have them.
 

ngatimozart

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
No, I believe Canada’s upgraded LAVs still have their 25mm guns. Other LAV 6 users have gone to 30mm. Perhaps Canada will be taking Saudi LAVs to prevent contract penalties by GD should junior cancel the contract with Saudi Arabia. Don’t really need them though except for bigger guns if they have them.
Maybe Justin can offer his beau Jacinda (NZ PM) a real sweat deal on the Saudi LAVs with the 105 mm guns fitted, plus say about 80 of the LAV6 fitted with 30 mm guns. Justin & Jacinda do appear to have the hots for each other, so no reason why we can't take advantage of it. :D
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
Maybe Justin can offer his beau Jacinda (NZ PM) a real sweat deal on the Saudi LAVs with the 105 mm guns fitted, plus say about 80 of the LAV6 fitted with 30 mm guns. Justin & Jacinda do appear to have the hots for each other, so no reason why we can't take advantage of it. :D
Should the Saudi seal fall apart (apparently they haven’t made a payment for some of the LAVs already received), does NZ really need 80 new LAV6s?
 

ngatimozart

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
Should the Saudi seal fall apart (apparently they haven’t made a payment for some of the LAVs already received), does NZ really need 80 new LAV6s?
Well the current ones are due for either a MLU or replacement. Which path hasn't been decided yet, but a couple or three batteries of those LAV6s with the Cockerill 105 mm gun turrets on them wouldn't go astray.
 

Calculus

Well-Known Member
Just surfing the net and noted that Canada has 20 GDF-005 twin 35 mm cannon stored for emergency use. I remember 4 AD from Moncton NB bringing one of these to our community 20 years ago and firing a burst. This was a demo thank you to the community for assistance to its members during their deployment during search operations for SWISSAIR 111 in 1998.

If these guns are out of service is there any anti aircraft capability besides coaxial or pintle HMG in service in Canadian inventory?
As far as I know we still have these: ADATS Short Range Air Defence System - Army Technology
 

FoxtrotRomeo999

Active Member
Thanks for those links FR999. I was not aware. However, I found another link that suggests this bit of shortsightedness is being addressed: Locked on: New radar gives artillery weapon location and air surveillance | Canadian Army Today
Good to see. I actually liked the concept of ADATS and am amazed at what various countries mounted on an M113 (yes, Australia mounted the British Scorpion 76mm turrets).

Other second tier militaries seem to be investing in similar capabilities (not hijacking the Canadian thread just showing what others are doing).

The Australian Army has traditionally not had much in the way of Air Defence (RAAF has had primary responsibility) but we are are now acquiring a new short range air defence capability based on the Raytheon/Kongsberg National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS). Australia is buying two versions of NASAMS, jointly developed by Norway’s Kongsberg and Raytheon, one with a trailer-mounted six-cell launcher and one with four missiles fitted to a Hawkei armored 4x4 vehicle, both using Australian designed and built radar (proven naval radars from CEA)
(mockup) DEFENSE STUDIES: Australia will Operate Two Type of NASAMS Air Defence

These will network into other Services capabilities to provide theatre level protection.
 

John Fedup

The Bunker Group
Meanwhile most other armies are up gunning their vehicles to 30-40 mm. Sticking with 25mm, cost containment no doubt.
 
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