First new armoured ambulance arrives in Edmonton
Fourteen vehicles expected to be delivered by end of June 2024
December 4, 2023 - Tim Bryant, Western Sentinel
Edmonton has received its first new Armoured Combat Support Vehicle (ACSV).
The new ACSV was unveiled at 1 Field Ambulance (1 Fd Amb) on Nov. 22, representing the first of 14 armoured ambulance ACSVs 3rd Canadian Division (3 Cdn Div) will receive. In total, the division will receive 91 ACSVs across the eight different variants the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has ordered.
Although the debut ACSV was unveiled at 1 Fd Amb, the vehicle is slated to join 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry’s (1 PPCLI) fleet, explained Major Marty Gilbert, ACSV Fielding Co‑ordinator.
Should all testing and inspections proceed as planned, 3 Cdn Div should receive its full complement of 14 armoured ambulance ACSVs by the end of June 2024.
Speaking at the unveiling, 1 Fd Amb commanding officer Lieutenant‑Colonel Josh Robinson said this first armoured ambulance ACSV represents a new chapter Canada’s military medical book.
“This is an exciting moment as the modernization of the Armoured Ambulance fleet represents a tremendous force multiplier as we increase our ability to treat, move and communicate on operations at home and abroad,” he said.
Also on hand at the unveiling was Captain (Navy) Nicholas Gauthier, Commander 1 Health Services Group, who took note of the overarching feeling in the crowd.
“I see a lot of smiles here,” he said, adding he understood why the crowd was so happy.
“It means they’re enabling us to focus on the patients.”
The updated armoured ambulance ACSV brings with it many benefits, one of which is improved protection for the medics and the patients they’re treating.
“At the end of the day, we don’t have to focus as much on our own security, [and can focus] more on the patients,” Capt(N) Gauthier said. “That means more lives saved.”
Caption
The first new armoured ambulance Armoured Combat Support Vehicle to arrive in 3rd Canadian Division at its unveiling on Nov. 22 at 1 Field Ambulance headquarters at 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton.
Photo by MCpl Paul McCahon, 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton Imaging
Caption
Sergeant Jodi Bradley briefs members on the characteristics of the new armoured ambulance Armoured Combat Support Vehicle at its unveiling on Nov. 22.
Photo by MCpl Paul McCahon, 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton Imaging
The new armoured ambulance ACSV, along with the seven other variants the CAF has ordered, is meant to replace the CAF’s current fleet of Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) II Bisons and M113 Tracked LAVs, which Maj Gilbert said have been in service since the late 1980s.
He added that for armoured vehicles, the older they are the more difficult maintenance becomes due to factors such as parts availability. To combat that hassle with the new ACSVs, each variant is built on the LAV 6.0 platform that currently serves as the backbone of the Canadian Army’s light combat vehicle fleet.
In total, 64 per cent of the new ACSV comes from the LAV 6.0, which has benefits beyond making maintenance easier.
“When we look at compatibility of spare parts and components, it was really important for the Army to get something that's already in service and is known for the user,” Maj Gilbert said. “Someone who drives a LAV 6.0 right now will be able to pick this up in a couple of hours.”
One of the biggest improvements the armoured ambulance ACSVs have over their predecessors is their patient capacity. The previous Bison ambulances could only carry two casualties. The new ambulances can carry four.
“That's a big improvement,” Maj Gilbert said. “We're doubling that capacity. It's not something that we want to use because that means something bad would have happened, but at least we are prepared for a worst-case scenario.”
Once 3 Cdn Div has received its full complement of 14 armoured ambulance ACSVs, they will be distributed to units across the division. Three will be assigned to each of 1 Fd Amb, 1 PPCLI, 2 PPCLI and Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians). Two will be provided to 1 Combat Engineer Regiment.
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The interior of 3rd Canadian Division’s first new armoured ambulance Armoured Combat Support Vehicle.
Photo by MCpl Paul McCahon, 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton Imaging
Caption
Members of 1 Field Ambulance (1 Fd Amb) alongside 3rd Canadian Division’s first new armoured ambulance Armoured Combat Support Vehicle (ACSV). The new was unveiled at 1 Fd Amb headquarters at 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton on Nov. 22.
Photo by MCpl Paul McCahon, 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton Imaging