Canada’s Armed Forces have taken delivery of the first Mack Defense Kerax trucks for the Medium Support Vehicle System (MSVS) Standard Military Pattern (SMP) programme. These are fitted with loadbeds designed and produced by Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group.
Marshall has designed four variants of loadbeds to be fitted to more than 800 of the 1,500 vehicles on order from Mack Defense, including the cargo, cargo-and-crane, gun towing and repair truck variants.
Marshall is also providing ancillary equipment including snow chain locker boxes for the whole fleet, which includes over 700 Load Handling Systems (LHS) vehicles.
Mack Defense president David Hartzell Sr said: “In support of Canada’s defence policy, ‘Strong Secure, Engaged’, Mack Defense along with Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group and all our other key suppliers are proud to deliver the MSVS SMP trucks to the women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces.
“Marshall’s has professionally managed the production of the loadbeds and ancillary equipment, which has supported Mack Defense’s ability to deliver the vehicles to the Canadian Armed Forces.”
The Volvo Group, which includes Mack Defense and Arquus, was awarded a contract on behalf of the Department of National Defense in 2015 to deliver more than 1,500 8×8 trucks for the Medium Support Vehicle System (MSVS) Standard Military Pattern (SMP) programme. In 2016, Mack Defense selected Marshall to provide the loadbeds and ancillary equipment.
Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group chief executive Alistair McPhee said: “Our proven capability in designing vehicle components for defence forces across the globe, our project management abilities and our supply chain management skills, including Marshall Aerospace Canada Inc selecting leading Canadian companies to support us, were integral parts of achieving success in winning and delivering on this contract.”
“Production of the loadbeds, which is being done with our partners in Canada, has increased and is sustaining jobs in Canada.”
Trials of the loadbeds were completed in 2017 and passed an assessment by meeting all requirements. Production began in late 2017 and the final delivery is scheduled for 2020.