LADSON, S.C. -- Representatives of Force Protection Industries, Inc., the U.S. Government and the British Ministry of Defence gathered today as Force Protection rolled out the first five new Ridgback vehicles developed specifically for the British Ministry of Defence (MOD).

The Ridgback is comparable to Force Protection’s Cougar 4x4 vehicle.

“The delivery today of the first five Ridgback vehicles represents an important step in our continuing efforts to provide critical protection for the British forces. Through the efforts of many people within Force Protection, we are able to deliver these first Ridgback vehicles one month ahead of schedule,” said Michael Moody, chief executive officer.

The British Ministry of Defence has ordered 157 Ridgback vehicles for a total cost of approximately $94 million. Although the British Ministry of Defence has used the Cougar 6x6 (Mastiff) since late 2006, this is the first Ridgback delivery to the United Kingdom.

Force Protection, Inc. is a leading American designer, developer and manufacturer of life saving survivability solutions, predominantly ballistic- and blast-protected wheeled vehicles currently deployed by the U.S. military and its allies to support armed forces and security personnel in conflict zones. The Company’s specialty vehicles, the Cougar, the Buffalo and the Cheetah, are designed specifically for reconnaissance, forward command and control, and urban operations and to protect their occupants from landmines, hostile fire, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs, commonly referred to as roadside bombs). The Company is one of the original developers and primary providers of vehicles for the U.S. military’s Mine Resistant Ambush Protected, or MRAP, vehicle program.

Force Protection
07.08.2008