This agreement forms a strategic alliance between two Canadian-based companies for the provision of the best solution for the TAPV program that will supply the Canadian Army with up to 600 armoured patrol vehicles.
"The Bushmaster is a combat-proven vehicle serving with distinction with our Allies in Afghanistan today and the vehicle we know the Canadian military needs to meet its mission requirements today and over the next two decades and beyond," Paul Kahn, Thales Canada President and CEO, said.
"DEW Engineering and Development is an integral member of the TAPV Bushmaster team and brings unique expertise and a strong Canadian workforce in the armour vehicle field, a workforce that will become integral to the Thales Global Supply Chain for years to come."
With over 680 Bushmaster vehicles already in service with the forces of Australia, the Netherlands and other NATO Allies, Thales has a fully developed, independently tested and combat-proven vehicle that is ideal for the Canadian TAPV program.
"DEW Engineering and Development is excited about partnering with Thales in offering the Bushmaster vehicle for the TAPV program.
"In all my years in the armoured vehicle business I have never seen a vehicle of this calibre," Tim Dear, President of DEW Engineering and Development, said.
The Canadian Military has defined the Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle program as a general utility combat vehicle that will need to fulfil a variety of roles on the battlefield, such as reconnaissance and surveillance, command and control, cargo, and infantry section carrier.
The vehicle will replace the Armoured Patrol Vehicle (APV) and the Coyote LAV 2, and will complement the Light Utility Vehicle Wheeled (LUVW).