BAE Systems wins RG31 MRAP contract for readiness, sustainment

JOHANNESBURG, 2 Feb. 2011. BAE Systems, Land Systems South Africa, through its teaming agreement with General Dynamics Land Systems Canada (GDLS-C), won a contract worth more than ZAR900 million ($130 million) for survivability and mobility upgrades to RG31 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles.

The upgrade kits will enhance the survivability and mobility of the battle-proven RG31 vehicles. As part of the modernization work in South Africa, a powerpack providing higher performance and new suspension components and transfer cases, which were designed and manufactured by BAE Systems, will be incorporated into the upgrade kits.

“We appreciate our ongoing relationship with GDLS-C, as well as the confidence that the U.S. military has in the RG31 vehicle. Readiness and Sustainment is an important part of our business and through these programs, we continue to protect the lives of U.S. soldiers,” says Johan Steyn, managing director of BAE Systems, Land Systems South Africa.

The RG31 is a mature, combat-proven, mine-protected armored personnel carrier designed, developed and manufactured by BAE Systems in South Africa. In total, more than 1,600 RG31 vehicles have been delivered through GDLS-C under the MRAP program; an additional 566 RG31s have been delivered to U.S. forces under separate contracts.