The UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has selected Force Protection to supply its Ocelot for the MoD’s urgent operational requirement for the Light Protected Patrol Vehicle program (LPPV).
A version of Force Protection’s Ocelot has also been down selected for the Manufactured and Supported in Australia (MSA) option by the Australian Department of Defence as one of three Australian-based solutions to provide up to 1,300 next-generation protected mobility vehicles under the $1 billion Land 121 Phase 4.
The UK MoD’s announcement follows its extensive testing over the past year of short-listed contenders for the LPPV.
“Small, agile but highly protected, the LPPV is at the forefront of technology,” UK Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Peter Luff said.
“It will offer troops unprecedented levels of blast protection for such a light vehicle, enabling them to carry out a wide range of tasks, whilst moving with ease through narrow alleyways or crossing bridges.
“It will be a valuable addition to the vehicles already available to Commanders in Afghanistan, and demonstrates the Government’s commitment to providing our troops with the very best equipment on the front line.
“I’m delighted to announce that negotiations can now begin to get these vehicles out to theatre as soon as possible.”
The first vehicles are expected to be available to troops for training in 2011.
The total number will be subject to negotiation and will be announced in due course.