VIENNA, Austria --- The MOWAG Operations of General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) has entered a contract with the German Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung (BWB) for the delivery of a first batch of 25 EAGLE IV protected Command and Function Vehicles.

This first delivery is part of an offer for total 198 EAGLE IV including the development of the logistic and service support organization with a total value of 92 Million Euros (approx. US$ 140 Million).

This offer includes also on option for the delivery of a further 474 vehicles. The EAGLE IV vehicles will be jointly manufactured in Kreuzlingen, Switzerland, and at General Dynamics European Land Systems-Germany in Kaiserslautern .

Within the framework of the GFF Klasse 2 program – protected Command and Function vehicles – unprotected carrier vehicles of the Bundeswehr will be replaced by the EAGLE IV to enhance the safety of the German soldiers wherever they may serve. Due to its high deployability, agility and tactical mobility, the EAGLE IV is suitable for the entire mission spectrum for this class of vehicles. It can be used for the most diversified missions as a Command and Function vehicle by applying modular add-on kits.

Furthermore, the substantial payload capability– which is significant, despite the high level of crew protection – supports the growth potential required to fulfill future requirements. For self-protection, the vehicle shall be equipped with a remotely controlled weapon station of the Krauss-Maffai FLW 100/200 type.

In addition to its crew-protection and mobility advantages, the EAGLE IV also enjoys low operation and training costs. Lifecycle costs of the vehicle fleet will be further minimized by the high degree of logistic commonality among the EAGLE IV and the DURO IIIP tactical truck, which has already been successfully introduced in the German Bundeswehr as the RLS “YAK.” The vehicles share many essential components, such as the engine, transmission, axles, wheel drives, differentials and brakes, helping reduce costs.

Lutz Kampmann, vice president of Wheeled Vehicles for General Dynamics European Land Systems, said, “This order is proof of the correctness of the concept, the performance and reliability of our new EAGLE IV. It also proves the confidence of the German Bundeswehr in our products, particularly, in the DURO IIIP vehicles that have been purchased since 2003, which have proven themselves – among other places – in peace missions in Afghanistan.”

“This order also is important for General Dynamics in Europe, enabling us to expand our relationships with a key customer – Germany – and sharing the cost advantage of a common EAGLE IV and DURO IIIP fleet previously enjoyed only by Denmark.”

The in-house baseline development of the EAGLE IV was completed with the roll-out of the first prototype at the end of 2003. Just two years later, the first sales success was landed with 90 vehicles for the Danish Army. At the beginning of 2006, the BWB purchased two EAGLE IV demonstrator vehicles for intensive comparative tests. In these demanding tests, the EAGLE IV proved its superior mobility, a high level of armor protection for the crew, a large usable volume, and a high payload.

MOWAG GmbH, as a contractual partner of the BWB, will order substantial deliveries from the German industry and various work from German partner companies, thus securing workplaces and added value in Germany. Following the international breakthrough of the EAGLE IV, GDELS reckons to get further orders from EU/NATO countries in the near future, since this multi-purpose vehicle fulfills the rising need for highly protected transport capacity for international peace missions.

General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS), headquartered in Vienna , Austria , is a business unit of General Dynamics Corporation, and conducts its business through four European operating sites located in Spain , Germany , Austria and Switzerland . With more than 3,250 highly skilled technical employees, General Dynamics European Land Systems' companies design, manufacture and deliver land combat systems, including wheeled, tracked, and amphibious vehicles, armaments and munitions, to global customers.

MOWAG GmbH of Kreuzlingen develops, designs, and manufactures technologically advanced special vehicles for military use. More than 13,500 armoured and non-armoured wheeled vehicles of the MOWAG PIRANHA, MOWAG EAGLE, and MOWAG DURO series are in service worldwide. Since October of 2003, MOWAG is part of the General Dynamics European Land Systems group, and employs a qualified staff force of more than 700 at its Kreuzlingen site.

GDELS
21.07.2008