12°c Rain showers
8°c Light rain
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Soldiers carry WWI rifles for polar bear protection
Soldiers in the Arctic use Lee-Enfield rifles because they don't jam or freeze up. (THE CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES)
OTTAWA -- They went toe-to-toe with the Taliban in the dusty laneways of Kandahar without batting an eye, but it's the mighty polar bear that's giving the Canadian army pause for thought.
The military had been on the lookout for an "anti-predator weapon" with which to equip both Arctic Rangers and regular-force units whenever they operate on their own in the North. In the meantime, it has issued First World War-vintage Lee-Enfield rifles to units based in southern Canada for use whenever those northern-response companies are dispatched to the Arctic.
The issue of "protection from predators (polar bears) was brought forward" at a meeting last year in Resolute, Nunavut, where the military was discussing what kinds of equipment it needs to operate in the remote, unforgiving terrain.
"Army tasks for now include presence (sovereignty), support to the population (disasters, etc.), recovery (MAJAD, downed satellites, SAR assistance, etc.)," said a Sept. 14, 2011 briefing note prepared for the head of the army, Lt.-Gen. Peter Devlin.
"Although the norm is for our personnel to work closely with Rangers, the possibility exists of operating for a brief period without their close support."
The roughly 4,700 Rangers -- sprinkled in 178 communities across the North -- are the backbone of the military's presence in the region. They conduct patrols across the vast tundra and are equipped with Lee-Enfields, bolt-action, magazine-fed rifles that were standard issue during the first half of the 20th century.
The army has been trying to replace them for years because few manufacturers make spare parts for the rifles.
The fact they don't freeze up or jam in the Arctic is part of their charm, so the army made the decision last year to equip regular-force units conducting operations in the North with Lee-Enfields until replacement weapons arrive, possibly next year.
The weapons the Rangers are using were purchased in the 1950s.
Public Works put out a tender for 10,000 replacement rifles, but sources said Friday the program has been held up over concern about who holds the design rights on certain weapons.
-- The Canadian Press
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 25, 2012 A20
More Canada
- Back to Top
- Return to Canada
More Canada
(1 of 50 articles for this week)
New Brunswick village begins to heal after bodies of fishermen recovered
11:55 AM 0TABUSINTAC, NEW BRUNSWICK, - A local leader in northeastern New Brunswick says the community can begin to heal now that ...
Poll
Most Popular Canada
- Harper to be on hot seat at Tuesday caucus after chief of staff quits
- Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals
- A look at the life and career of Ray Novak, prime minister's new chief of staff
- B.C. NDP's 24-hour bus ride goes beyond Hope and crashes on election night
- Harper's body to lie in state today
- Anarchist 'panda' leads a new fight in Montreal: this one's against tickets
- Ford should directly address allegations of drug use in video scandal: expert
- Canadian troops in Kandahar to assess safety of stranded equipment containers
- Tirades won't stop global warming: Harper
- Harper government buying ads to promote job grant program that doesn't yet exist
- First-degree murder charge to be laid in test drive death; remains badly burned
- Crack-cocaine video allegations 'ridiculous,' Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says
- Duffy bailout by Harper's chief of staff prompts allegations of coverup by PMO
- Harper to be on hot seat at Tuesday caucus after chief of staff quits
- Duffy quits Conservative caucus over expenses as colleagues began turning on him
- Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals
- Liberals blaze to stunning B.C. victory, but Clark loses own seat
- Quake near Ottawa rattles residents across wide swath of Ontario, Quebec
- Sen. Pamela Wallin, target of expense audit, latest to leave Conservative caucus
- A look at the life and career of Ray Novak, prime minister's new chief of staff
- First-degree murder charge to be laid in test drive death; remains badly burned
- Multiple fatalities after serious crash near U.S. border
- Canadian tourist dies after falling from hotel in Mexican resort
- Crack-cocaine video allegations 'ridiculous,' Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says
- Engineer charged in mall collapse
- Arrest made in case of Hamilton, Ont., man missing after pickup truck test drive
- Leaving Saskatoon: police mourn homeless drunk they considered a friend
- Man with no arms plans to fight seatbelt ticket, wants apology from police
- Suspects arrested in Via train terror plot linked to al-Qaida in Iran: RCMP
- Duffy bailout by Harper's chief of staff prompts allegations of coverup by PMO
- Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals
- AECL still a money-loser: watchdog
- Quake shakes Ontario, Quebec
- Harper government buying ads to promote job grant program that doesn't yet exist
- U.S. bill would give Canadian snowbirds more time to spend in the sun
- Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals
- Duffy bailout by Harper's chief of staff prompts allegations of coverup by PMO
- First-degree murder charge to be laid in test drive death; remains badly burned
- Search on for living creatures far beneath Canadian Shield
- Quake near Ottawa rattles residents across wide swath of Ontario, Quebec
- 'Not looking for blame,' grieving father says of fatal rugby tackle
- Federal Court to test expedited hearings for some visa-rejection reviews
- Conservative senator Duffy claimed expenses while campaigning in 2011 election
- Grade 5 kids urge Harper to drop mean attack ads against Justin Trudeau
- U.S. bill would give Canadian snowbirds more time to spend in the sun
- Foul fascination: Edmonton plant beautiful, but stinks like diapers, dead animals
- 'Revenge of the redheads': Ginger-haired Montrealers gather in celebration
- Man with no arms plans to fight seatbelt ticket, wants apology from police
- Suspects arrested in Via train terror plot linked to al-Qaida in Iran: RCMP
- Leaving Saskatoon: police mourn homeless drunk they considered a friend
- Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals
- Commanding officer of Canadian Forces base in Alberta charged with sex assault
- Duffy bailout by Harper's chief of staff prompts allegations of coverup by PMO
- Engineer charged in mall collapse
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.