Last update - 00:00 27/02/2007
Rafael to provide armored vehicles to U.S. Marines in Iraq
By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent
Rafael, the Israel Arms Development Authority, is one of the winners of a U.S. Marines tender for the supply of armored vehicles to its troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A preliminary deal for the purchase of 60 armored vehicles at a cost of $37 million has already been signed.
The U.S. Marines are seeking to purchase a total of 4,000 armored vehicles.
A number of companies from around the world vied for the tender, all of which were required to comply requirements such as protection from roadside bombs, mines and RPGs.
The U.S. Marines selected five vehicle designs among the available options.
One of them is the Golan armored vehicle, manufactured by Rafael and the U.S. firm PIA.
The Golan can be used as an armored personnel carrier, command vehicle, ambulance or intelligence collection vehicle.
Rafael already supplies the U.S. Army with certain types of armored personnel carriers. The Israel Defense Forces uses Rafael's Ze'ev armored vehicle.