A Kelowna company has been awarded a $1.73-million subcontract to upgrade a fleet of Light Armoured Vehicles III to the Canadian Army.
General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada awarded the contract to Reidco Metal Industries Ltd. in support of new and improved vehicles for the Light Armoured Vehicle III upgrade project.
Reidco will provide brackets and other metal fabrications and machined components to General Dynamics to be used in the construction of the newly designed Light Armoured Vehicle III hull.
Reidco has been working with General Dynamics for more than 15 years, supplying production components on the original light armoured vehicle fleet of 650 vehicles.
“Canadian soldiers need the best tools for the job and deserve the best vehicle we can give them,” said Danny Deep, vice-president of General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada.
“The LAV III upgrade project will enhance the LAV III fleet’s survivability, operational capability and long-term performance. With our Canadian design and manufacturing base and over 500 suppliers located in every province of Canada, we are proud to say that the best armoured vehicles in the world are made in Canada.”
Ron Cannan, the Kelowna-Lake Country MP, announced the contract being awarded to the Kelowna firm last Friday on behalf of Bernard Valcourt, Associate Minister of National Defence.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates our continued support of our brave men and women in uniform and skilled Canadian workers—including right here in Kelowna,” Cannan said.
“Our investments will provide our troops with the modern equipment they need to conduct their missions safely and effectively for many decades to come.”
The Light Armoured Vehicle III upgrade project is one of four similar combat vehicle projects approved by the federal government.
The military vehicle upgrades are intended to capitalize on existing and evolving technology to improve the protection, mobility and lethality of the Light Armoured Vehicle III fleet.
The project will modernize a portion of the existing fleet to ensure it remains a highly protected, operationally mobile and tactically agile combat vehicle that will remain the backbone of domestic and expeditionary task forces, extending the life span of the fleet to 2035.
The government’s agreement with General Dynamics commits the company to re-invest 100 per cent of the contract value in business activities in the Canadian economy.
