By Dan McCue
Staff Writer

LADSON -- Force Protection Inc. has received separate orders for its mine-resistant armored vehicles from the ministries of defense of the United Kingdom and Italy worth a total of $123 million.

The orders were announced on Feb. 22, the very same day Michael Moody formally succeeded Gordon McGilton at he company's helm. McGilton retired as Force Protection's CEO and director; Moody now holds the titles of chairman and Interim CEO.

The order from the UK Ministry of Defense is for 174 Cougar Mastiff vehicles, vehicle spare parts, and field support. Under the contract, valued at approximately $115 million, vehicle production will be performed exclusively by Force Protection at its Ladson facility and is scheduled for completion by December 2008. The portion of the contract related to spare parts and field support coverage will continue through mid 2009.

The Italian Ministry of Defense, meanwhile, has ordered six Cougar troop transport vehicles and four Buffalo route clearance vehicles, along with spare parts and support coverage. The contract is valued at about $8 million.

Production of the vehicles is expected to be done at Force Protection's Ladson facility and completed by December 2008. Similarly, the portion of the contract related to spare parts and field support coverage will continue through mid 2009.

In a written statement, Moody said he was proud of and grateful for Force Protection's strong relationship with its international buyers.

"A successful sales effort to foreign military customers is an important part of our long-term strategy," he said. "It also ensures a solid return on our investments in manufacturing capability."

He said the orders underscored "a sizable international opportunity for our technology and our products."

Moody began his tenure as leader of the company by saying Force Protection had begun a process of bringing new leadership, new discipline and new drive to the business.

"As we look at the competitive landscape, we have no illusions about the challenges we face. That having been said, out of challenge comes opportunity," he said. "We intend to seize that opportunity. As we move forward, we are tasking every facet of our organization, from engineering and production to financial management and the executive department to rise to a new level of capability and excellence."