BAE Systems has received a US$13m contract from the US Government for the purchase of approximately 100 armoured commercial vehicles.

The armoured commercial vehicles, including Chevrolet Suburbans and Sprinter vans, utilise many of the same technologies and systems as those incorporated in the armoured military vehicles produced at the same location, BAE said.

However, these products are designed to be inconspicuous and cannot be distinguished from their unarmoured counterparts, providing extra security to the occupants.

Production is expected to be complete by December 2008.

BAE did not specify what the vehicles would be used for or which department ordered them.

By staff writer