Panhard, Rheinmetall Team For LPPV Bid; Lockheed May Join
PARIS - Panhard and Rheinmetall have teamed up to pitch the PVP HD armored vehicle in Britain's upcoming competition for a Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV), company spokemen said.
The European companies also have held talks with Lockheed Martin UK to join the bidding team.
"Rheinmetall will be the prime contractor," Charles Maisonneuve, marketing and communications director of French manufacturer Panhard, said Aug. 25. Lockheed Martin UK would bring knowledge of the British market, provide support and integrate jamming equipment against IEDs.
The Petit Véhicule Protegé Heavy Duty (PVP HD), jointly developed by Panhard and Rheinmetall, is based on the Gavial vehicle supplied by the German partner to the German Army. The PVP is a Panhard four-wheel drive vehicle under order for the French Army.
Rheinmetall Defense spokesman Oliver Hoffmann said, "Rheinmetall and Panhard have answered the prequalification questionnaire for the project." He added, "We are talking to Lockheed Martin."
Hoffman said in an emailed statement Sept. 2: "Rheinmetall understands that Lockheed Martin UK obviously is in discussion with all LPPV contenders. As a matter of clarification, no teaming agreement is in place with Rheinmetall Landsysteme and Lockheed Martin UK on LPPV. "
"Lockheed Martin UK is in discussions with multiple companies on the LPPV procurement in development," Lockheed Martin UK said in an emailed statement. We are evaluating various options for participation on this important program."
The new LPPV vehicles are intended to replace the Snatch version of the Land Rover, and eventually the weapons-mounted installation kit (WMIK) Land Rover model.
Losses of personnel riding in the Land Rover Snatch due to roadside bombs in Afghanistan led to the requirement for the LPPV to provide protection against 50 kilograms of explosives detonated at three meters. That is reflected in the stated need for Stanag level two protection against ballistic and mine threats.
"The LPPV is very demanding in protection terms," Maisonneuve said.
High manoeuvrability is also a requirement.
The LPPV request for information is expected this month, quickly followed by launch of the tender, which will likely attract a large number of competing bids, including KraussMaffei Wegmann and Iveco.
The purchase could be worth around 90 million euros ($129 million), based on an estimated 300,000 euros per vehicle for an acquisition of about 300 units.
Requirements include the ability to carry up to six crew members, weigh six to seven metric tons, with a first delivery in 2011.
In a separate deal, Panhard recently sold 15 PVPs to Chile, its first export sale of the armored vehicle. The French company beat a competing offer from Otokar of Turkey.
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