Maktab
05-19-2007, 08:13 AM
So, after much dithering, it has finally been awarded. 264 vehicles will be built in five variants, Command, Mortar, Missile, Section and Fire Support. The vehicle itself will be a locally-modified variant of the Patria AMV, built under licence by Land Systems OMC, while Denel will be responsible for the turret, weapons and internal subsystems.
It's expected to be a 10 year contract, with development taking three years and the first production vehicles rolling off the production line in six to seven years time.
That's the media info at least. I'd be interested to know what everybody thinks about the decision. Is it a good choice for the SANDF? Is the Patria a worthy replacement for the venerable old Ratel? And is 264 vehicles really enough, considering the force structure planned under Vision 2020?
Denel to Fire on all Cylinders with Smart SANDF Deal - Business Report (http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3837132)
Denel lands multibillion-rand defence contract - M&G (http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=308703&area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__business/)
It's expected to be a 10 year contract, with development taking three years and the first production vehicles rolling off the production line in six to seven years time.
That's the media info at least. I'd be interested to know what everybody thinks about the decision. Is it a good choice for the SANDF? Is the Patria a worthy replacement for the venerable old Ratel? And is 264 vehicles really enough, considering the force structure planned under Vision 2020?
Denel to Fire on all Cylinders with Smart SANDF Deal - Business Report (http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3837132)
Denel lands multibillion-rand defence contract - M&G (http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=308703&area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__business/)