Canada Defers Armoured Vehicles Purchase

The Canadian Government has further delayed a multibillion-dollar plan to purchase the close combat vehicle (CCV) for Canadian Forces by reissuing a solicitation of interest and qualifications (SOIQ) notice.

Canadian Public Works spokesman Sebastien Bois said the government wanted the procurement, which has been facing problems and delays since 2009, to be fair.

Five companies, including Artec, BAE, GD, Nexter and Rheinmetall, have been identified as vehicles are said to meet the specified requirements, according to the Ottawa Citizen.

The Canadian Defence Department will purchase 108 CCVs with an option for the purchase of 30 additional vehicles.

The Canadian Army will use the CCVs alongside Leopard tanks in the battlefied for future missions.

The delivery of the vehicles, for an estimated $2bn, has been scheduled for 2013.