WARRENVILLE, Ill. (April 06, 2009) - Responding to evolving threats in Afghanistan, the U.K. Ministry of Defence has finalized a deal with Navistar Defense, LLC for the purchase of 262 tactical wheeled vehicles and parts and support for an estimated value of $180 million USD. The International® MXT™ based units were procured through the U.K.’s Tactical Support Vehicle (TSV) program and are named the Husky. The lighter and more mobile vehicles are designed to navigate the rough Afghan terrain, while offering added protection from ballistics fire, mines and Improvised Explosive Devises (IEDs).

The Husky, which is the medium TSV variant, will be procured for Afghanistan missions in three vehicle types: patrol, ambulance and command vehicle. The vehicle is designed to fill a gap that exists between the smaller traditional armored 4x4’s that may be payload challenged, and the larger class of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles that may be mobility restrained for certain mission requirements. Navistar is responsible for delivering a fully integrated, mission-ready vehicle and has contracted U.K.-based Dytecna to integrate TSV Husky units with U.K. specific communications and other systems. The company is also teamed with Plasan, which will provide the survivability solution for the vehicle.

“Navistar leverages its existing assets to effectively aid allied forces in staying ahead of evolving threats,” said Archie Massicotte, president, Navistar Defense. “Our flexible MXT platform paired with Navistar’s 100 years of manufacturing, engineering and sustainment expertise allow us to rapidly modify and deliver vehicles. By working with Dytecna and Plasan, we also continue to expand our offerings to provide enhanced throughput and quality.”

Assembly of the TSV Husky units will occur at the company’s West Point, Miss., assembly plant, which has produced approximately 6,000 International MaxxPro® MRAP vehicles. TSV Husky units will be powered by MaxxForce® D 6.0 L V8 engines. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the second half of the 2009 calendar year.

“It is an honor to provide TSV Husky units to one of our country’s closest allies,” said Massicotte. “Navistar is dedicated to supporting the United Kingdom and other NATO countries and we will continue to respond to allied urgent requirements.”

The TSV contract award follows Navistar’s selection in October as one of nine finalists to compete to replace the U.K.’s light tactical wheeled vehicle fleet in the highly-competitive Operational Utility Vehicle Systems (OUVS) program. Navistar will provide MXT-based vehicles for testing and trials in 2009 to replace a portion of the army’s fleet, which includes Land Rover, Wolf, Reynolds Boughton RB-44 and Pinzgauer vehicles.