Canadian military to get supply trucks 11 years after first being proposed

OTTAWA — The Harper government may be hoping that the third time is a charm by announcing today the tendering of long-awaited military logistics trucks.

Defence Minister Jason Kenney and Public Works Minister Diane Finley jointly announced, through a press release, that a U.S. company had won two competitive contracts totalling $843 million to supply 1,500 trucks, 300 trailers and armoured protection kits.

Once delivered in 2017-18, they will replace 1980s-vintage supply trucks, many of which the army has already parked because of safety and maintenance issues.

The Conservatives first identified the vehicles — often known as the B-fleet — as a priority in 2006, but there have been two failed programs, one of which was cancelled in 2012 just as bidders were about to submit their proposals.

The assembly of the vehicles will be done in Quebec, and Finley says the contracts _ awarded to Mack Defense, LLC, of Allentown, Pa. — will mean the creation of 700 jobs in Canada.

The contract also calls for the U.S. firm to provide five years of in-service support, with an option to extend up to 15 years.

© 2015 The Canadian Press