Armoured protection

The Government of Canada has awarded a $51.3 million contract to

to provide 50 RG-31 Mine Protected Vehicles with an option for 25 additional vehicles.

Under this contract, General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada will provide program management and engineering and logistics support while BAE Land Systems OMC of South Africa will manufacture the vehicles. Deliveries will take place between February and April 2006.

The vehicles will incorporate a Kongsberg Protector M151 Remote Weapon Station, equipped with a day and night sighting system, which allows the operator to fire the weapon while remaining protected within the vehicle.

The vehicle has an all-welded armoured shell that can resist small arms fire up to 5.56 x 45 mm, with an optional protection level of up to 7.62 x 51 mm armour piercing.

The vehicle also has a purpose designed hull which can withstand a double TM57 level mine explosion (14kg of TNT) under any wheel and a single detonation (7kg of TNT) centrally under the vehicle.