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AVGPs  for Darfur

Background  —  CF AVGPs  for the  African Union Mission in Sudan

Having previously revealed that 100 surplus CF Grizzly Infantry Section Carriers would be sent to assist AMIS (the African Union Mission in Sudan), DND said on 28 July 2005  that the ISCs would  be accompanied by five Husky recovery vehicles. Eighty CF personnel will help train AU crews in Senegal – an AVGP staging base has been set up at Dakar, and a training centre at Thiès (70 km east of of the capital). Senegal, Nigeria and Rwanda will operate and maintain AVGPs for the AU in Sudan.

When Defence Minister Graham first announced AVGPs for AMIS in June 2005, "some legal complications" were noted. Much of the AVGP's armament and drive-train originated in the US and fell under Foreign Military Sales rules. [1] These hurdles were cleared comparatively quickly – not surprising considering the age of the equipment involved. The AVGPs were then shipped to Dakar – by sea or An-124 [2] airlifter – along with surplus ballistic vests and helmets  for AMIS as part of a $170M aid package but the AVGPs are on loan. [3]

This loan of AVGPs is for one year's duration. The vehicles have been through the Wheeled LAV Life Extension program , but sending the recovery vehicle is probably prudent. It does, however, leave the CF with only 22 Huskys – presumably  DND concluded  that  there were sufficient numbers of Bison Mobile Recovery Vehicles (MRV), which also have Hiab cranes. As delivered to Dakar,  the AVGPs seemed to be unarmed –  part of the FMS deal, perhaps?

[1] Loaning (as opposed to selling) the vehicles got around FMS rules. CF personnel have a strong bias in favour of American equipment. As a rule, US FMS rules are becoming more aggressive (they are being extended to equipment developed by Canadian subsidiaries of US firms, for example – PT6 aircraft engines).  As such,  perhaps foreign military equipment content should be limited in future CF purchases. [2] PAFOs insist on referring to the big Antonov as a 'AH-124'. Evidently, familiarity with cyrillic lettering is not a post-Cold War priority. [3] When originally announced in June 2005, there was no mention that these AVGPs would be on loan. The loan is part of a "$170 million initiative [which] also includes increased diplomatic support, humanitarian assistance  and  other support to the African Union Mission in Sudan" by the Canadian government (other aid taking the form of leased transport helicopters (Mi-8s) and aircraft (likely the Safair L-100).