Gen. Dynamics buoyed by defense contracts

LONDON, Ontario, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- General Dynamics Land Systems Canada said it has pending defense contracts with the Canadian and U.S. governments worth $1.6 billion for armored vehicles.

The company, based in London, Ontario, said a deal was struck with the United States to provide 352 Stryker light armored vehicles for the army, although it is pending congressional approval, the London Free Press reported Tuesday.

The U.S. contract is worth $647 million and comes as the company said it had secured a $1 billion deal to manufacture similar vehicles for Canada's defense department, the report said.

Pete Keating, vice-president, communications, for GDLS in Sterling Heights, Mich., told the newspaper the new middle-weight Strykers are lighter than tanks yet heavier than traditional light-armored-vehicles and are intended to replace ones lost in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as for domestic training.

"We will know by February and maybe sooner as the forces are going through a defense review," Keating said of the U.S. contract.