Panhard General Defense to supply 187 light protected vehicles to France

France’s DGA on May 7, 2010 awarded an order to Panhard General Defense for 187 petits vehicules proteges (PVP) light protected vehicles. This is the final tranche of a total order for 933 PVPs awarded on Sept. 7, 2004. To date, 506 PVPs have been delivered to the French Army, and final deliveries are scheduled for 2011. The PVP is produced at two industrial facilities, Marolles-en-Hurepoix (Essonne) and Saint-Germain-Laval (Loire). The PVP program will generate upwards of one million man-hours for Panhard and its subcontractors. The initial contract called for the delivery of 200 vehicles each year beginning in late 2007 and continuing until late 2012. However, additional funds made available under the French government’s economic recovery plan allowed the production to increase to 300 vehicles/year for 2009 and 2010.