Actually not bad for a civilian effort.
My thoughts on logistic vehicles differ significantly from Canada's past line of thinking which consists of fleets of both standard military pattern (SMP) and commercial off the shelf (but militarized - MILCOTS) lines in weight ranges going from utility (around .25 to 1.5 ton capacity) to 1.25 to 1.5 ton (your basic pick up range), 2.5 ton, 5 ton (medium capacity) and 10 ton (heavy capacity).
My thoughts differ in that I don't simply want to give reservists trucks to provide them mobility, I want to equip them the same way as the Regular Force so that they can fully operationally capable and perform military missions particulalar to their specialty.
Firstly I would give up the MILCOTS line completely. It basically doubles the variety of vehicles and creates a more complex spare parts and maintenance requirement (even if the work is given to neighbourhood car dealers) and limits the number of vehicles which can be deployed operationally. One think about car dealerships, they won't go to the Congo on a UN deployment or to Latvia on a NATO one. Quite frankly, I'd give up a complete Regular Force infantry battalion if it would give us six hundred more maintainers and parts supply clerks within the various brigades.
As far as the lines of vehicles go I'd firstly give up the give up the light utility vehicles and light support vehicles completely in favour of a single 4x4 light utility chassis in the 1.5 - 2 ton capacity range. Something in the nature of a
JLTV but with a little more flexibility in body choices. Give it the basic frame and powertrain of, for example, a Ford F-350 with a modified suspension and standard belly plate to be mine resistant so that everything from the engine to the wheels, regardless of model, is standard. Then add specialized bodies from unarmoured to armoured and from basic utility (passenger) to basic utility (cargo), small CPs, ambulance. maint fitter, light infantry section vehicle, light wheeled reconnaissance etc etc. (in very, very round figures, we need about 4,000 of these)
Next create a basic tactical logistics line in say the 7.5 - 10 ton range and which would be the sole vehicle (save recovery) within all battalion sized units. Again a common mine resistant chassis suspension and powertrain and cab (either armoured or unarmoured) but specialized load beds from pallet to cargo with drop down benches for passengers to gun tractor det cab and ammo storage to specialized containers from everything from fitters to communications to secured stores etc. (again in very round figures I would guess we need about 4,000 of these as well plus some trailers)
The third line of vehicles would be heavy logistics line of around a 15 ton capacity. Same idea as the medium as to chassis, power train and cab with varying cargo configuration possibilities including a semi trailer capable one for both flatbed and containers. These would only be held at the brigade service battalion and any service support formations. (My guess is about 1,500 plus some trailers)
There is one additional limited class and if can be built from the heavy line with perhaps a much heavier powertrain that would be good. Basically it has two variants, one is a recovery vehicle with the capacity to handle up to the heaviest LAV we have in difficult terrain and the other is a Heavy Equipment Transport (HET) variant capable of handling the heaviest Leo 2 tank that we have. (my guess is around 100 - 125 recovery and 50 - 75 HETs)
The standardization into three fleets each based on its own common chassis and powertrain would greatly simplify both training of operators and maintainers and the maintenance system. If the powertrains come with few modifications from standard production lines then one can add on commercial maintenance support but, quite frankly I'm a firm believer that we need to a) simplify maintenance through standardized vehicle lines and b) train and man all our maintenance support in house through full-time military maintainers so that we can ensure the deployability of our maintenance system. A 100% simplified SMP fleet will still be fully able to support any and all domestic operations.
I'll be the first to agree that others have a much different view of how the Army should handle vehicle fleets and maintenance. Unfortunately while their views may prevail and may be feasible in a peacetime army, they will not enhance operational capabilities which, after all, is why the government spends the big bucks on us.
