South Africa’s leading armoured and peacekeeping vehicle manufacturer, Alvis OMC, has beaten off strong international competition to become the preferred supplier of 200 specialist patrol vehicles to Sweden.
The Swedish procurement agency, FMV, signed a contract with Alvis OMC on 28 May 2004 for two prototype vehicles, with an option to purchase up to 200 vehicles thereafter.
The contract was won after extensive trials of Alvis OMC’s technologically advanced RG-32M mine-hardened patrol vehicle (MHPV) in Sweden’s recent MHPV evaluation programme.
An extensive “winterisation” programme was applied to the RG-32M to bring it in line with Swedish climate conditions. The process included modifications to the heating and insulation systems for both engine and crew, assisted by Alvis Hägglunds, the Alvis Group’s Swedish operation.
Gert Pretorius, Engineering Manager at Alvis OMC, said:
“We are especially pleased to have this Swedish endorsement of our technological capabilities, particularly the vehicle’s ability to perform successfully in extreme temperatures. The RG-32M has proved to be equally effective at 49ºC, in the desert sands of Africa and the Middle East, and at -35ºC in Sweden’s frozen wilderness.” (ends)
Alvis OMC Wins Bid to Supply Vehicles to Swedish Defence Force
