BAE Systems wins M113 contract

BAE Systems has been awarded a $41.9 million contract to assist in the Brazilian Army upgrade of its M113 armoured personnel carriers (APCs). The contract will see BAE Systems provide the materials needed to perform the upgrade work as well as tooling and spares, and also includes a technology transfer agreement.

Under Brazil’s upgrade programme, 150 M113 APCs are being upgraded from the M113B configuration to the M113A2 Mk1 configuration. The programme will reuse the vehicle hulls, hatches and ramps, while all other components including the engines, transmissions and cooling systems will be replaced or upgraded. BAE Systems will also train the Brazilian Army on the upgrade and maintenance of the vehicles under this contract.

Brazil acquired its M113 fleet from the US Army in the 1970s, and the upgrade work will bring the vehicle capabilities in line with Brazil’s national defence strategy and enhance their defence capabilities.

The M113 is part of the largest family of armoured tracked vehicles in the world and includes more than 80,000 vehicles worldwide with 40 variants.  It can transport 12 troops plus a driver and is capable of amphibious operation, extended cross-country travel over rough terrain and high-speed operation on improved roads and highways.

According to BAE Systems, the work under this contract will be performed at the Brazil Army Depot in Curitiba, Brazil and is expected to be complete by November 2014.