Boom!

More Leopards have arrived in Afstan:

PANJWAII AND ZHARI DISTRICTS, Afghanistan - The boom that comes from a Leopard 2A6M [check "More Information, Photos" near top at link] firing is a bone-shaking, deafening noise that can rattle even the most experienced of tankers if they aren't expecting it.

Yesterday, Canada's newest shipment of tanks, received this week [first arrivals noted here, with photo here], was tested out against a craggy Afghan mountain in the desert west of Kandahar city. The new Leopards created tidy, plate-shaped holes in paper targets, hitting bull's-eyes from 500 metres away.

Less accurately, they will be able to fire as far away as four kilometres.

"It's probably the most modern battle tank today in the world," said Maj. Trevor Gosselin, the officer in command of C Squadron, the battle group's tank squadron.

The test results led to yelps of delight and high-fives from the armoured soldiers as they worked through a cold wind. The new tanks are bigger, offer greater protection from bombs and landmines, and break down less often than the old Leopards -- which have no air-conditioning and are still in use in Afghanistan even after three decades of service.

"It's big, it's strong, it's aggressive and it's noisy," said Sgt. Dave Malenfant, a tank commander based in Valcartier, Que.

"When you go somewhere, you know you have power. It's awesome," Sgt. Malenfant said. "I'm glad that we bought these tanks. It will save lives."

The tanks tested yesterday are part of a loan of 20 tanks from Germany through an agreement announced in April. Canada is also purchasing up to 100 used tanks from the Netherlands...

Lot's more photos.