SCBIZ Daily Staff

LADSON -- Ladson-based Force Protection Inc. secured a $3.5 million order from the French military to produce five armored vehicles, the company announced Wednesday.

The work, which is scheduled to be completed in November, is a modification to a current contract Force Protection has with the French military.

“This represents another important step in the continued growth of our international customer base,” CEO Michael Moody said in a news release.

The company announced a $42.5 million order from the Marine Corps earlier this month, but the year has been challenging for Force Protection. The company has cut its work force by more than 500 people, or roughly 25%, and NASDAQ has threatened to delist the company because it hasn’t filed earnings reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission.