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18 June 2008
Gauteng-based armoured vehicle company Land Systems OMC is to manufacture 111 RG-31 mine protected armoured personnel carriers for use by the US Army, as part of a US$67.3-million (about R537-million) contract won by General Dynamics Land Systems Canada.
In a statement last week, General Dynamics Land Systems Canada states that the new deal is the modification of a previous contract, awarded by the US Army Tank and Automotive Command (TACOM).
As part of the contract, General Dynamics will provide the programme management, while Land Systems OMC, a unit of British aerospace and defence giant BAE Systems, will manufacture the RG-31 Mk5E mine protected vehicles.
“Since February 2005, the TACOM has ordered RG-31 vehicles based on operational need statements by the US Army for route clearance vehicles,” General Dynamics states, adding that this is the third such order placed by the American armed forces.
Under previous contracts, the US Army ordered a total of 148 RG-31 Mk3 mine protected armoured personnel carriers and a further 307 of the Mk5 variant. In total, including the current contract, a total of 566 armoured vehicles will be delivered to the US Army.
“The 111 RG-31 Mk5E vehicles ordered are similar to the 600 RG-31 Mk5E vehicles ordered by the US Marine Corps Systems Command for its Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle program,” General Dynamics states.
According to Land Systems OMC, the RG-31 is the mine-protected vehicle of choice for peacekeepers, with an all-steel, welded armour, monocoque hull that ensures its crew of 10 is protected from anti-personnel fire and anti-tank mine detonations.
Deliveries will occur from August to October 2008.
SAinfo reporter
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