News Review: Bushmaster in the frame for Canadian TAPV contract | ADM Jul 2010

Thales Canada has signed an exclusive teaming agreement with DEW Engineering and Development ULC on the assembly of the Australian-designed Bushmaster for the Canadian Armed Forces’ 600-strong Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) program.

The RFP is scheduled for October this year.

The two Canadian companies will bid for the TAPV program, to provide a general utility combat vehicle to fulfill a variety of battlefield roles including reconnaissance and surveillance, command and control, cargo, and infantry section carrier.

The vehicle will replace the Armoured Patrol Vehicle (APV), the Coyote LAV 2 and will complement the Light Utility Vehicle Wheeled (LUVW).

“The Bushmaster is a combat proven vehicle serving with distinction with our Allies in Afghanistan today and the vehicle we know the Canadian military needs to meet its mission requirements today and over the next two decades and beyond,” Paul Kahn, Thales Canada President and CEO said.

“DEW Engineering and Development is an integral member of the TAPV Bushmaster team and brings unique expertise and a strong Canadian workforce in the armour vehicle field, a workforce that will become integral to the Thales Global Supply Chain for years to come.”

The base vehicle will be offered with various weapon systems, such as a remote weapons station, sighting and vision systems as well integrated electronic architectures and C4I options to enhance the vehicle mission performance.