The U.K. plans to provide its troops in Afghanistan with a new-generation of Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV) move forward with the announcement of Force Protection Europe as preferred bidder.
Contract negotiations now begin to provide an initial order through the Urgent Operational Requirements process. The first vehicles are expected to be available to troops for training in 2011, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said. The total number of vehicles is subject to negotiation.
Force Protection Europe and SupaCat Ltd., both delivered vehicles for MoD to test.
The LPPV has been designed to provide unprecedented levels of blast protection for a vehicle of its size, and will be able to carry a crew of up to six people. It will add to the wide array of protected vehicles already being used on operations in Afghanistan, including Mastiff and Ridgback.
The Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Peter Luff said of the vehicle, “Small, agile but highly protected, the LPPV is at the forefront of technology. It will offer troops unprecedented levels of blast protection for such a light vehicle, enabling them to carry out a wide range of tasks, whilst moving with ease through narrow alleyways or crossing bridges.”
The LPPV is expected to replace the Snatch Land Rovers.