Hundreds of vehicles ordered for French Special Forces

PARIS, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Renault Trucks Defense has been contracted to produce hundreds of light and heavy vehicles for the French military's Special Forces.

The French Defense procurement agency DGA said the contract for 241 light Special Forces vehicles and 202 heavy Special Forces vehicles includes the integration of intelligence and communications equipment into the vehicles.

Twenty-five of the heavy vehicles will be delivered this year, while delivery of light vehicles will begin in 2018.

"The program responds to a most demanding operational requirement for intelligence or neutralization missions, and in-depth actions within hostile areas requiring maximum discretion," the agency said. "It aims to improve the interoperability and the fleet's performance level across land, air and marine components of the Special Forces."

Also involved in the vehicle production project is Panhard, subsidiary of RTD and Essonne Sécurité for roduction of common equipment for both types of vehicles.

DGA did not disclose the value of the award.

French military forces are currently involved in counter-insurgency operations in Africa.