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DGA Orders More Than 16,000 More Felin Kits

By pierre tran
Published: 23 Nov 2009 08:36

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PARIS - The Direction Générale pour l'Armement (DGA) procurement office has ordered 16,454 more Felin infantry kits, bringing the total number bought to 22,588, the ministry of defense said in a Nov. 23 statement.

The DGA on Nov. 20 signed the contract with Safran's Sagem unit, which is prime contractor for the high technology gear for the infantry. The budget for the Felin program totals 1 billion euros, including development, tooling up, production and initial support, the ministry said.

The Felin program, launched in 2001, is now in full production. The first regiment is due to be equipped in the second half of 2010 and the last in 2015.

The first 385 Felin kits built in low rate initial production were delivered in December 2008 and tested by several units in the first half of 2009 in a variety of conditions, including mountain, jungle and desert terrain. The evaluation was intended to ensure the equipment met the needs of modern combat, the ministry said.