$27.2m for mine protection

The US Army Tank Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) has awarded

$27.2m to manufacture 60 RG-31 Mk5 Mine Protected Vehicles. The contract includes an option for 34 additional vehicles

The contract was signed through the Canadian Commercial Corporation, a Crown Agency of the Canadian Government. Under this contract, General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada will provide the program management while BAE Land Systems OMC of South Africa will manufacture the vehicles. Deliveries will take place between January and April 2007.

According to a statement, the RG-31 Mk5 is the latest version of the RG-31 family. The Mk5 is said to deliver a significant increase in power and payload to meet emerging requirements. In service with forces around the world, the RG-31 is capable of a variety of military applications. Offering enhanced mine blast resistance, as well as protection against improvised explosive devices and ballistic threats, these vehicles will be used by the US Army in support of ongoing activities.

General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada previously delivered 148 RG-31 vehicles to the US Army in 2005 and will soon be completing delivery of 75 vehicles for Canadian Forces. In addition, the vehicles have been extensively used by NATO forces in the former Yugoslavia, as well as by the United Nations in Lebanon, Georgia, Syria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo.