Programme Brings AFVs up to LAV Config. 6.0
General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada (GDLS-C) has been awarded a C$404 million contract amendment to upgrade 141 Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) III vehicles for the Canadian Army.
The LAV III Upgrade program delivers vehicles in the new LAV 6.0 configuration and is the direct result of lessons learned by the Canadian Army in Afghanistan, and was developed with substantial inputs from the Government of Canada. The upgrades include the life-saving double-V hull, protection and mobility enhancements, onboard vetronics and capacity for future growth and modularity.
“We are committed to delivering highly protected, flexible and capable vehicles to our soldiers and the LAV 6.0 provides the Canadian Army with best-in-class protection and mobility,” said Danny Deep, Vice President of GDLS-C. “This announcement is welcome news to the London area and to our suppliers across Canada whose jobs will be sustained with this additional work.”
This contract sustains approximately 250 highly skilled jobs in advanced manufacturing in the London, Ontario, region. In addition, it will be of direct economic benefit to General Dynamics’ extensive supplier network located across Canada.
In October 2011, the Canadian government awarded the company a C$1.064 billion contract to incorporate a comprehensive upgrade package into 550 of the Canadian Army’s fleet of LAV IIIs and extend their life to 2035.