Force Protection revealed its new open special forces variant of Ocelot at the IDEX defence exhibition in Abu Dhabi on 21 February. According to Paul Tarry, operations director at vehicle manufacturer Ricardo, the new vehicle is currently known as Ocelot WMIK in reference to the Weapon Mount Installation Kit Land Rover variants that the company has built for UK service.
The Australian Government recently gave first pass approval for Joint Project 2097 Phase 1B to enhance the Australian Defence Force’s Special Operations vehicle capability. The project will deliver a modern fleet of tactical Special Operations Vehicles and will provide significant improvements to the Special Forces’ networked communications.
Joint Project 2097 Phase 1B is cost capped between $100 million and $300 million. The Government is expected to make a final decision on approval for the project in 2013-14.
The enhancements to be delivered under JP 2097 Phase 1B will support the tactical maneuver of Special Forces and improve the efficiency of tactical network communications across the full spectrum of Special Operations. The vehicles will be highly mobile and able to be transported in a range of ADF aircraft and ships allowing the ADF’s Special Forces to maintain its capability edge.