U.S. orders more light-armored vehicles

• Tweet

LONDON, Ontario, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada's production of light-armored vehicles for a U.S. Foreign Military Sales deal has been increased.

The original order, from the U.S. Amy's TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, was announced last January and was for 73 LAV IIs. Under the contract modification announced Tuesday, General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada will produce 155 of the armored vehicles.

GDLSC says the modification increases the contract value to $264 million.

"We are pleased to be extending our relationship with TACOM in support of their Foreign Military Sales program," said Sridhar Sridharan, senior vice president and general manager for International Operations, General Dynamics Land Systems.

"This order for additional vehicles is the best testament to the effectiveness of our light-armored vehicles with our international customers."

The LAV II is an eight-wheeled vehicle with a gross weight of as much as 32,000 pounds. It comes in a number of variants -- including medevac -- and is known by a variety of names depending on the country and branch of service using them.

GDLSC produces an upgraded version, the LAV III.

GDLSC will supply the vehicles in six variants to the Army, which will deliver them to the FMS customer, whose identity wasn't disclosed.