Last month Norway decided to buy up to 72 IVECO Panther vehicles, which will also be fielded by the Belgian Army.

First 25 vehicles of the initial order will be delivered in 2006 - 2007 and there is also an option to buy a further 47 vehicles over a two year period. The contract amounts to $9.64 million and a contract of return purchases has already been made. They say that the purchase comes as a reaction to the international operations experience, where the up-armored Mercedes "Gelendevagen" has proved to be inadequate, especially after the events at Afghanistan in February.

Sergyi Wey
31.03.2006

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