RG-31 MK5E Mine Protected Vehicles for the Spanish Army

VIENNA, Austria: General Dynamics Santa Barbara Sistemas has been awarded a 64.6 million Euro ($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 5 Command Post variants -- plus integration of Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) turrets and ongoing integrated logistic support (ILS). Work under the contract is expected to be completed by 2009. The contract includes an option for a second phase for 80 additional vehicles that will include some manufacturing in Spain.

General Dynamics Santa Barbara Sistemas, as prime contractor, 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 (Ottawa) has a similar program with BAE Systems Land Systems OMC for this vehicle.

The RG-31 Mk5E is a 4x4 armored vehicle with a combat mass of up to 17,000 kg, including 3,500 kg of payload. In standard Armored Personel Carrier configuration, this air-conditioned vehicle carries a crew of 10 (driver plus nine). It is in service with many other countries including the United States and Canada and has been operating in Afghanistan and Iraq.

BAE Systems is the premier global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 97,500 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £15.7 billion (US$31.4 billion) in 2007.

General Dynamics European Land Systems, headquartered in Vienna, Austria, is a business unit of General Dynamics, and conducts its business through four European operating sites located in Spain, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. With more than 3,250 highly skilled technical employees, General Dynamics European Land Systems companies design, manufacture and deliver land combat systems, including wheeled, tracked, and amphibious vehicles, armaments and munitions, to global customers.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 84,600 people worldwide and anticipate 2008 revenues of $29.5 billion.