LONDON, Ontario, Canada - The Government of Canada has awarded a CAD $60.3 million (US $51.3 million) contract to General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada to provide 50 RG-31 Mine Protected Vehicles with an option for 25 additional vehicles.

General Dynamics Land Systems, the Canadian company's parent corporation, is a business unit of General Dynamics.

Under this contract, General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada will provide program management and engineering and logistics support while BAE Land Systems OMC of South Africa will manufacture the vehicles. The vehicles will incorporate a Kongsberg Protector M151 Remote Weapon Station, equipped with a day and night sighting system, which allows the operator to fire the weapon while remaining protected within the vehicle. Deliveries will occur from February to April 2006.

The RG-31 tactical vehicle offers excellent ballistic and mine blast protection, and will be used by the Canadian Forces in their upcoming operations in Afghanistan.

John Ulrich, senior vice president of General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada, said, "We are pleased to once again have an opportunity to provide the Canadian Forces with another world-class product to assist and protect Canadian soldiers as they undertake the challenge of another overseas mission."

General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada is currently delivering 148 RG-31 vehicles to the U.S. Army in fulfillment of a contract awarded earlier this year. The Canadian Army has previously deployed three RG-31 vehicles as part of its contribution to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. 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.

GDLS
04.12.2005