General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada (GDLS-C) has received a contract from the Colombian Ministry of National Defence (MND) for delivery of light armoured vehicle-III (LAV III) to Colombia’s Army.
Formalised through the Canadian Commercial Corporation, a crown agency of the Canadian Government, the $65.3m contract represents a priority acquisition by the Colombian MND, and covers delivery of 24 LAV IIIs to mechanised infantry units of the army.
General Dynamics Land Systems International Operations senior vice-president and general manager Dr Sridhar Sridharan said the company aimed to establish a long-term relationship to address the Colombian armoured vehicle requirement.
Selected against Steyr Pandur II LAV and Otokar-built Arma 8×8 wheeled armoured vehicles, the LAV IIIs are scheduled to replace the army’s ageing TPM-113 A and EE-11 Urutu armoured personnel carrier (APC) fleet.
The LAV III variants to be delivered under the contract are expected to feature double-V hull technology and add-on armour, which is capable of increasing crew defence against mine blasts, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other battlefield threats.
Additional equipment also includes a Rafael remote controlled weapon station (RCWS), which can be equipped with Browning M-2HB-QCB 12.7mm machine gun or a 25 or 30mm cannon.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataPowered by a Caterpillar 3126 diesel engine, the LAV III is a generation III armoured vehicle primarily used for infantry transport, while providing all-round protection against 7.62mm rounds in the battlefield.
A license produced variant of Swiss MOWAG Piranha III, the vehicle has been developed in multiple variants, such as tactical command post variant, a forward observation officer (FOO), TOW under armour (TUA), engineer variant, as well as the multi-mission effects vehicle (MMEV).
Deliveries under the contract are scheduled to complete by May 2014.
Image: A light armoured vehicle used by the New Zealand Army. Photo: courtesy of 111 Emergency.