Spanish army vehicle contract

General Dynamics Santa Barbara Sistemas, part of

group, has been awarded €64.6m (£52.7m) to supply RG-31 Mk5E mine protected vehicles to the Spanish army.

The contract, awarded by the Spanish government, comprises 85 armoured personnel carriers (APCs), 10 ambulances and five command post variants - plus integration of remote-controlled weapon station  turrets and ongoing integrated logistic support.

Work under the contract is expected to be completed by 2009. The contract includes an option for a second phase for 80 additional vehicles that will include some manufacturing in Spain.

General Dynamics Santa Barbara Sistemas, as prime contractor, will provide programme management, engineering and logistic support. BAE Systems Land Systems OMC of South Africa will supply the vehicles as a subcontractor to General Dynamics.

The RG-31 Mk5E is a 4x4 armoured vehicle with a combat mass of up to 17,000kg, including 3,500kg of payload. In standard APC configuration, this air-conditioned vehicle carries a crew of 10.