ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Feb. 22, 2015 – At the International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX), the MENA region’s only tri-service defense exhibition, Navistar Defense is showcasing the blendable version of its Special Operations Tactical Vehicle (SOTV) for the first time in a global exhibition. In addition, the company is highlighting its International® MaxxPro® Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, which will be entering service with NATO and Allied Forces in the region.

SOTV-B: Purpose Built to Hide in Plain View

Navistar’s SOTV-B (Blended) variant is on display in the booth, located in the U.S. Pavilion, Hall 03, Stand C22. It is a blended vehicle designed for covert operations and VIP transport.

“While it may look like a typical small truck seen throughout the region and the world, it’s anything but,” said Mike Hawn, manager of foreign military sales, Navistar Defense. “It’s a purpose-built vehicle designed specifically to provide the highest levels of protection and performance, while hiding in plain view.”

The SOTV-B provides significantly greater protection and performance than traditional up-armored commercial light trucks. It can be skinned to look like any truck of choice—flexible, but designed from the inside-out for special operations.

“Everything in the SOTV-B—from the powerful engine to the dynamic suspension and drive train to the armor system to the modular electronics capability—is designed for the highest level of mission performance and protection,” Hawn added. “And, because it’s purpose-built with robust design and components, it will provide a significantly longer life cycle than any up-armored light truck.

The SOTV-B shares significant commonality with the SOTV-A, which is Navistar Defense’s tactical variant for covert operations. Highly modular, the SOTV can be configured with a variety of weapons and C4ISR packages for a wide range of missions.

International® MaxxPro® MRAPs for Allied Forces

Navistar Defense will also be talking with delegations from allied countries attending IDEX about its International MaxxPro MRAP vehicles. Navistar built nearly 9,000 MaxxPro vehicles for the U.S. Department of Defense and they saw extensive service in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Its protection of servicemen and woman and performance in a wide variety of roles was unsurpassed. While the U.S. Army plans to keep 3,000 in the enduring fleet, many NATO and allied countries will benefit from receiving MaxxPro vehicles via the U.S. Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program.

“MaxxPro MRAPs are currently serving in many countries in the MENA region and there are a number of requests from NATO and allied countries for more vehicles,” said Jim Grooms, vice president logistics and sustainment, Navistar Defense.

The United Arab Emirates has requested a possible sale of EDA MaxxPro MRAP vehicles, equipment, parts, training and logistical support. The U.S. and UAE, with support from Navistar, are working on the specifics of the program to provide these vehicles, which will be used to increase force protection, conduct humanitarian assistance operations, and protect vital international commercial trade routes and critical infrastructure, according to U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

“Another clear benefit to the UAE and other countries receiving MaxxPro MRAPs will be commonality and support from Navistar, the U.S. government and allied countries that will have them in their fleets,” explains Grooms. “We will likely see more commonality and support-sharing potential as more allied forces use our MaxxPro-based variants. Plus, our extensive dealer network provides exceptional parts and service support.”