General Dynamics to produce light armored vehicles for Marine Corps and Columbia

Ontario, Canada, 16 Jan. 2013. General Dynamics Land Systems Canada has been awarded two contracts for the production of light armored vehicles (LAVs). The first contract, awarded by the Colombian Ministry of National Defense, is valued at $65.3 million and includes the production of 24 LAVs. The second contract is from the U.S. Marine Corps, and is valued at $24 million. The Marine Corps contract is for the production of 13 LAV-A2s. For the Columbian contract, the vehicles will be the LAV III version with double-V hull technology and add-on armour that provides crew members with protection against mine blasts, IEDs and other threats. All vehicles will be equipped with a Rafael remote controlled weapon station and deliveries will be completed by May 2014.

The U.S. Marine Corps LAV-A2 is a mobile system for conducting a variety of missions, such as security, reconnaissance, offensive and defensive operations as part of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. The eight-wheeled vehicle operates on land and water. It is equipped with armor protection and an automatic fire-suppression system for crew protection, as well as a suspension system for mobility. The first delivery for the Marine Corps contract is scheduled for June 2014 and the last delivery will be made in October 2014.