General Dynamics [GD] Santa Barbara Sistemas Sept. 3 said it was awarded an approximately $102 million contract by the Spanish government to supply RG-31 Mk5E mine protected vehicles for the army.
General Dynamics Santa Barbara Sistemas is one of four companies that comprise General Dynamics European Land Systems.
The contract calls for the delivery of 100 vehicles–85 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), 10 Ambulances and five Command Post variants–plus integration of Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) turrets and ongoing integrated logistic support (ILS).
The work under the contract will be completed by 2009. The contract includes an option for a second phase for 80 additional vehicles that will include some manufacturing in Spain.
Prime contractor General Dynamics Santa Barbara Sistemas will provide program management, engineering and logistic support. BAE Systems’ Land Systems OMC of South Africa will supply the vehicles as a subcontractor to General Dynamics.
General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada has a similar program with BAE for this vehicle.
The RG-31 Mk5E is a 4×4 armored vehicle with a combat mass of up to 17,000 kg, including 3,500 kg of payload. In standard Armored Personnel Carrier configuration, this air- conditioned vehicle carries a crew of 10.
General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada has provided 566 of RG-31 Mk5E to the U.S. Army through non-Mine-Resistant Armor-Protected (MRAP) vehicle programs. The U.S. Marines have ordered 1,397 General Dynamics RG-31 vehicles under the MRAP program to date. Canada and other nations also have acquired the vehicle, which has been operating in Afghanistan and Iraq.