The Canadian military's new light vehicle will arrive in time to replace the troubled Iltis in the second half of the Afghanistan mission, the Armed Forces confirmed Sunday.

The Mercedes Wolf, a heavier, roofed four-door light utility vehicle will be delivered to troops in Afghanistan in January and February, said Brig.-Gen. Jocelyn Lacroix.

About 60 of the bigger Wolf vehicles will replace the 17-year-old Iltis, which has been plagued by mechanical problems during its time in Afghanistan.

Lacroix said problems with the Iltis have been exaggerated and it will still be used.

"The problem with the Iltis is it's an old vehicle and we don't have a lot of spare parts," said Lacroix, who led 2,000 troops of the 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group near Sherbrooke, 150 kilometres southeast of Montreal.

"The soldiers will certainly be pleased to have a new vehicle like all soldiers are pleased to get a new toy. But the Iltis is doing a good job."

Critics have claimed soldiers were left exposed by the lightly armoured Iltis. Canadian soldiers Sgt. Robert Short and Cpl. Robbie Beerenfenger died on patrol in October when their Iltis struck at least one anti-tank mine.

However military leaders say beefier light vehicles would not have saved the two men.

About 100 Iltis vehicles are being used by Canadian troops in Afghanistan. Soldiers have complained that the vehicles are too small and under-powered.

Capt. Mark Bossi, a member of the 48th Highlanders from Toronto who returned from Afghanistan Friday, said the Iltis has been a valuable tool. The smaller vehicle can negotiate narrow streets.

"Also, some organizations have bad reputations in Afghanistan because they roar around all day in gigantic, expensive sport-utilities," Bossi said.

"Perversely, we get a bit of respect for driving around in our older vehicles. They appreciate us, even if it is mainly sympathy."

Montreal-based Bombardier built the German-designed Iltis for the Canadian army in the mid 1980s.