ORNSKOLDSVIK, Sweden -- BAE Systems has been awarded a contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for an improved version of its go-anywhere BvS10 Viking armoured vehicle.

The company will deliver 24 of the vehicles, known as the BvS10 Viking Mark II, to the MoD in early 2010 so that they can be deployed to Afghanistan in the spring of 2010.The contract, worth up to £24m, includes fitting a range of urgent operational requirement modifications for service in Afghanistan. Twenty-two of the vehicles will be the troop-carrying variant and two will be in command vehicle configuration.

Lessons learned from operations in Afghanistan have resulted in several improvements including levels of protection, a larger and more powerful engine, and a bigger alternator which gives more electrical power. The steering unit has also been improved along with uprated suspension and brakes. The Mk II still retains the same load-carrying capacity as the original vehicle. The modifications are based on experience gained from more than 25 years of articulated vehicle design and production in Ornskoldsvik.

The UK MoD has already bought 166 Vikings. Approximately 50 vehicles have been used in Afghanistan by the Royal Marines and other units, where their flexibility and mobility are much appreciated.

The BvS10 MkII is also a prime contender for the French VHM requirement for 129 vehicles. A contract in France is expected to be announced at the end of the year.

BAE Systems
01.10.2009