ORNSKLDSVIK, Sweden -- BAE Systems has been awarded a £14 million contract from the U.K. Ministry of Defence for 14 BvS10 Viking amphibious armoured all-terrain vehicles, including nine repair recovery vehicles, one command vehicle and four troop carriers.

The vehicles will be used by the UK armed forces in Afghanistan beginning in July 2008.

"The BvS10 Viking has proven its worth while being used by British troops in Afghanistan," said Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, Marketing and Sales Director for BAE Systems. "The Afghan terrain can be quite varied and our armoured all-terrain, quick-to-deploy vehicles provide troops with protection and the ability to move wherever and whenever they are required.

The BvS10 Viking consists of two tracked vehicle units linked by a steering mechanism. The vehicle can operate in temperatures from -46C to +49C, providing it with multi-role, worldwide, rapid deployment operational capabilities in jungle, desert and Arctic conditions. The vehicles are available in four variants-the repair recovery vehicle, the command vehicle, the troop carrier and the ambulance.

The UK's Royal Marines received the first delivery of the vehicles in July 2003. This delivery brings the total number of vehicles produced for UK MoD to 143. The total number of produced vehicles is well over 200.

The contract was awarded to the company's Swedish subsidiary, BAE Systems AB through their Hagglunds unit. The vehicles will be built, assembled and completed in Örnskldsvik, Sweden.

BAE Systems
02.07.2008