Colombia orders armored vehicles

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LONDON, Ontario, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Light armored vehicles are to be manufactured for Colombia's military by General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada.

GDLS-Canada said the order from the Colombian Ministry of National Defense is for 24 LAVIII vehicles equipped with Rafael Remote Controlled Weapons Stations.

The vehicles, worth $65.3 million, feature double V-shaped hulls to protect against land mines and improvised explosive devices and add-on armoring.

"We are proud to have been selected by the Colombian military to meet their armored vehicle requirement and look forward to establishing a long-term relationship with this very important customer," said Sridhar Sridharan, senior vice president and general manager for International Operations, General Dynamics Land Systems.

The contract was signed through the Canadian Commercial Corp., a crown agency of the government of Canada.

GDLS-Canada said the vehicles will be delivered next year.

The LAVIII is based on Switzerland's MOWAG Piranha IIIH 8x8.A more lightly armed variant is used by the U.S. Army and is known as the Stryker.

The LAVIII is powered by a 350-horsepower diesel engine and has a maximum speed of about 60 miles per hour.