Defence/aerospace firm BAE Systems is working alongside ANAD (the Anniston Army Depot) to overhaul and deliver 440 armoured personnel carriers to the Iraqi Army. The contract, valued at $31+ million, will take 14 months to complete and the work will be carried out in Alabama.


"The M113 refurbishment will give the Iraqi Army a capability which is relevant to a variety of threat environments", Joe McCarthy - BAE Systems Combat Vehicles general manager/vice president - explained in a company press release. "We have been exporting and doing upgrade work on M113s for decades. This new work builds upon our great partnership with Anniston Army Depot."


The Iraqi Army is now tasked with all military ground operations in the country following the recent withdrawal of allied forces. Its vehicle fleet is comprised of armoured personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, main battle tanks and armoured cars.


Upgraded M113A2


The M113 dates back to the 1960s and is among the military world's most ubiquitous infantry vehicles, with approximately 80,000 produced in all.


The M113A2 armoured personnel carrier variant - one of 40 upgrades developed from the original design over the years - is a modernised version dating from 1979 with boosted suspension, smoke grenade launchers and other improvements.


It can accommodate 13 warfighters and move at up to 42 miles per hour on dry land or 3.6 miles per hour when used amphibiously.


Iraqi M113 Personnel Carriers


The Iraqi M113 personnel carriers will be given upgraded components by BAE Systems and ANAD in place of worn-out parts and they'll be made fully mission-capable.

‘The M113 family of vehicle partnering program provides a great example of how to maintain and strengthen the defense industrial base', ANAD was quoted as having said in the same BAE Systems press release.


‘It utilizes the strengths of both the organic and industrial base to provide the best product for both the warfighters and our allies. We look forward to continuing to work on future efforts.'


M113 Image copyright© 2010 BAE Systems


See also:


Companies supplying Armoured Vehicle Upgrades



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