Navistar Defense delivers first Afghan armoured cabs
Navistar Defense has delivered the first batch of armoured cab units designated for service with the Afghan National Security Forces. The company is delivering the armoured cabs as part of a $23 million urgent delivery order received from the US Army in February.
Under the February contract Navistar Defense is retrofitting 205 armoured cabs onto Navistar Medium Tactical Vehicles (MTVs), which are based on the International WorkStar platform. The work involves replacing the current commercial cab with the specially designed armoured cab— providing savings by re-using the original components of the MTV.
The armoured solution will protect the Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan National Police (ANP) from ballistic and blast threats in the theatre of operations. The order also includes enhancing additional vehicle elements for improved survivability to provide Afghan National Security Forces with the capability to conduct route clearance missions with mine roller applications.
Representatives from Navistar Defense and the US Army’s Program Executive Office for Combat Service Support marked the completion of the first wave of deliveries during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Navistar Defense manufacturing facility in West Point.
Bob Walsh, vice president and general manager, Navistar Defense, said: ‘Today we are celebrating the rapid manufacturing and delivery of armoured cabs that will assist in the transition of our security mission and facilitate the withdrawal of US forces while protecting the Afghan National Security Forces.’
Colonel William Boruff, US Army project manager for Transportation Systems, added: ‘This improvement is tremendously important to our Afghan allies. This solution provides a robust route clearance capability for Afghan personnel, improving their safety each and every day.’
The Navistar MTV is already in service in Afghanistan in a variety of key missions including general troop transport, water tankers, fuel trucks, recovery vehicles and cargo trucks. Deliveries of the vehicles will continue through July.
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