Kreuzlingen - at the end of November the Kreuzlingen based technology enterprise MOWAG GmbH received an order from the German Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH, Kassel (RLS) for the production of 100 DURO IIIP basic vehicles.
RLS will mount user-specific mission modules on the vehicles. In the German Bundeswehr, the DURO IIIP is intended to replace existing soft-skinned vehicles currently in service and will in that way provide German troops with greater protection when deployed in harm's way. The ordered basic vehicles will be delivered from the end of 2006 until 2008.
After the first delivery of 31 DURO IIIP in the years 2004 and 2005, this is the second contract with the German Bundeswehr. The DURO IIIP is a state-of-the-art 6x6 multipurpose wheeled armoured vehicle in the weight class of 12 tons with protection against ballistic threats, integrated anti-landmine protection and enough space for up to ten crewmembers. Within the German Bundeswehr the delivered DUROs are in successful operation among other in peacekeeping mission "ISAF" in Afghanistan. Of the 100 ordered vehicles, 31 will be configured for medical services, 23 for Military police and 21 for bomb disposal (EOD). The other 25 DUROs will be equipped with other mission specific modules.
Simon T. Honess, CEO at MOWAG GmbH, is very pleased with the actual sales success in Germany and stated: "This order is an impressive proof of the performance and reliability of our DURO, which is doing a very good job with the German Bundeswehr on the ISAF peace- keeping mission in Afghanistan. Furthermore, this second order indicates the excellent experiences of the German Bundeswehr under mission conditions as well as the strong partnership with Rheinmetall Landsysteme, Kassel." When asked to address the significance of these contracts for MOWAG GmbH, Honess stated: "This order is also a further important milestone for a continuous improvement of our marketing activities in the difficult German market. Besides the worldwide successful PIRANHA family of Armoured Wheeled Vehicles our DURO is establishing as a real second main pillar. I am convinced that the DURO will be also in future a source of much gratification for us in Kreuzlingen, especially due to the fact that our multipurpose wheeled armoured vehicle optimally meets the greater demand by the armed forces on protected transport capacity."