Army to Acquire New Multi-Mission Vehicle

Canadian Department of National Defence, OTTAWA: The Canadian Forces is increasing the capability of their wheeled light armoured vehicle fleet with the new Multi-Mission Effects Vehicle (MMEV).  
 
The Minister of National Defence today announced the Government's intent to undertake a project, potentially valued at up to C$750 million, to design, develop, and deliver 33 MMEVs for the Army.  
 
The Government is entering into negotiations with Oerlikon Contraves Canada, of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, for the prime contract for the C$100 million first phase – design and development – of the MMEV project.  
 
The goal of the MMEV project is to significantly improve situational awareness by providing commanders with around-the-clock surveillance, and by sharing data and intelligence between vehicles and command posts. The MMEV will be required to engage ground targets such as armoured vehicles and bunkers, as well as aircraft, including helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles. This combination of capabilities on one platform will provide the ground force commander with an unprecedented level of flexibility and effective battlefield situational control.  
 
“This innovative vehicle will advance the Army's capabilities by providing soldiers with the latest in combined ground and air defence technology,” said Defence Minister Bill Graham. “We are also achieving an increasingly capable, modern combat force, one of our commitments in the new defence policy.”  
 
“This contract will build economic strength in the region,” said Quebec Regional Development Minister Jacques Saada. “The MMEV project demonstrates that Quebec industry has a depth of knowledge and skill that is second to none.”  
 
“The MMEV represents a significant step forward in Army Transformation,” said General Rick Hillier, Chief of the Defence Staff. “It will increase our efficiency, interoperability and deployability.”  
 
The new MMEVs will be developed based on the Canadian Forces' current Air Defence Anti-Tank System (ADATS) technology, and integrated into the LAV III. The MMEV will be designed to fire precision-guided munitions at longer ranges than any other battlefield direct fire vehicle against tanks and other strategic targets. Firing with its non line-of-sight weapons system, the MMEV will be able to engage targets that are hidden behind surrounding landscape features, such as hills and buildings.  
 
Following the successful completion of the first phase of the MMEV project – design and development – the Department intends to proceed with subsequent development, testing and initial production phases. These follow-on phases will provide the Army with three prototypes and an initial fleet of six vehicles, including ammunition, communications and information management systems, and interim logistics support.  
 
The full production of the MMEV fleet is expected to begin in 2010.