Speed of Response Boosts Force Protection

(Ladson, SC., November 19, 2008) -- ) Force Protection Inc.'s (NASDAQ:FRPT) agility and speed of response to customer requirements is playing a key role in winning new orders for its range of mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael Moody, pointed to Force Protection's selection by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) as the Preferred Bidder for the Wolfhound Tactical Support Vehicle (Heavy) programme as an example of the way his company is strengthening its capability to respond to urgent operational requirements. "We completed design work and built two prototypes for Wolfhound, which is based on our highly successful Cougar vehicle, in just 90 days. During this time we also carried out blast tests and mobility trials."

Force Protection proposes to deliver these vehicles in conjunction with UK integration partner, NP Aerospace.

Two customised Cougar variants are already featured in major MoD programmes. The Mastiff 6x6 is in service with British forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. Deliveries of the Ridgback 4x4 began in August of this year. The UK MoD has also recently ordered 24 more Mastiffs together with 14 Force Protection Buffalo route clearance vehicles.

Michael Moody said that the increasing adoption of Force Protection vehicles by the UK, the United States, Italy, France, Canada and Iraq was evidence that the company had, "The right technology at the right time. Cougar and Buffalo continue to prove their worth as the most survivable, sustainable vehicles on the battlefield." The UK MoD has ordered a total of 447 Force Protection vehicles, while the US Department of Defense has ordered more than 3,500.

Source : Force Protection, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRPT)