CASR

Defence
Budget & 
Procurement
Practices 

————
Industry 
News
Releases
————

Light Armoured Vehicle Procurement  –  GDLS News Release  –  03 Aug 2006 General Dynamics Land Systems  (GDLS)  News Release LAV TUA  Hull Conversions to LAV Infantry Section Carriers Update: These vehicles, now referred to as LAV-RWS  ( Remote Weapon System ) finally entered service in summer 2009. Also see the LAV-RWS audit by the OAG. As expected, the Department of National Defence has awarded an $49.2M contract to General Dynamics to convert 33 surplus LAV TUA ( TOW Under Armour) hulls into turretless LAV Infantry Section Carriers. Originally, 71 of the LAV TUAs were to be procured  but,  in the absense of any immediate armour threat,  the Canadian Forces have decided to scale back that order. This left 33 free, non-standard hulls. Standard  LAV III Infantry Section Carriers are armed with 25mm guns in a Delco manned  turret.  LAV TUA conversions have a Nanuk Remote Weapons  Station. This RWS  by Rheinmetall Canada is the third type to enter Canadian service. [1] The LAV ISC conversion choice is a good one and simple to carry out. In the past, CASR  has recommended using some of  these surplus LAV TUA hulls to create a 120mm mortar carriers.  The CF obviously believes that mobile indirect fire support is not required at this point. Certainly making up LAV III attrition is a high priority. [1] The Nanuk joins the Rafael  Protected Weapons Station (supplied to the CF by Oerlikon Contraves – which has since become Rheinmetall Canada – for use on CF TLAVs) and the Kongsberg  M151  RWS (as supplied  for use on the RG-31 APV). A General Dynamics Land Systems News Release General  Dynamics  Awarded  CAD $49  Million  Contract  to  Supply  LAV III Infantry  Section  Carriers  to  Canadian  Forces 03 August 2007 LONDON, Ontario – The Canadian Department of National Defence has awarded a CAD $49.2 million (approximately USD $46.3 million) contract to General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada  to provide  33  LAV III  Infantry Section Carriers. General Dynamics Land  Systems,  the Canadian company’s parent corporation,  is a busi- ness unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD). Under  this contract,  General  Dynamics  Land Systems – Canada  will  modify  33 existing  LAV III chassis  to an infantry section carrier configuration and  integrate a Remote Weapon Station on to the converted chassis.  The LAV III chassis were originally manufactured under a previous contract for  LAV III TUA (TOW Under Armour ) vehicles.  Rheinmetall  Canada of   Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, will supply the Remote Weapon Station, which will feature a universal gun cradle cap- able of mounting 5.56, 7.62 and 12.7 mm [machineguns] and a cooled thermal sight. Dr. Sridhar Sridharan,  senior  vice-president of  General Dynamics Land Systems– Canada, said, "As Canada’s leading armoured vehicle manufacturer, our workforce is committed and proud to support the Canadian Forces. The modification of these LAV III  vehicles will  provide  the army with additional capability as they conduct their challenging overseas missions." The delivery of  the LAV III  Infantry Section Carriers will occur from June 2008 to March 2009.