Article Posted on : - Sep 23, 2010

Ocelot Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV). Photo: UK MoD

LONDON (BNS): UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has selected Force Protection Europe as the preferred bidder for the production of new generation Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV).

The company will receive a contract for the initial order of Ocelot Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPVs) through the ministries Urgent Operational Requirements process.

The LPPV has been especially designed to provide unprecedented levels of blast protection for a vehicle of its size, and it is able to carry a crew of up to six people. It will add to the wide array of protected vehicles already being used on operations in Afghanistan, including Mastiff and Ridgback.

Ocelot light protected patrol has the advantage to change it assemblies in 30 minutes, and it can be easily customised for specific missions.

"Small, agile but highly protected, the LPPV is at the forefront of technology. It will offer troops unprecedented levels of blast protection for such a light vehicle, enabling them to carry out a wide range of tasks, whilst moving with ease through narrow alleyways or crossing bridges,” Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Peter Luff, said in a statement.

The first slot of the vehicles is scheduled to be delivered in 2011. The total number of the vehicles is yet to be negotiated between the Force Protection and UK MoD.