Navistar to complete MRAP production early

WARRENVILLE, Ill., Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Pressed by the U.S. military for more mine resistant ambush protected vehicles, Navistar Defense says it has stepped up its manufacturing schedule.

Illinois-based Navistar Defense says it will complete a contract for 822 of its International MaxxPro Dash MRAP vehicles one month in advance. The MRAP vehicles are being sent to support military operations in Afghanistan, where officials say the MRAPs are urgently needed.

Navistar Defense says it was able to leverage deals with its suppliers to speed up the MRAP production in order to address calls for more vehicles.

"Navistar is prepared to rapidly provide the United States and its allies with MRAP vehicles at a time when hostilities call for more troops in Afghanistan," Archie Massicotte, Navistar Defense president, said in a statement.

"The Navistar team is going after an aggressive delivery commitment, and we will be successful due to our partnering with the supply base."