Israeli Firm Tapped To Provide U.S. Marines With New Armored Vehicles

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7006585390

February 27, 2007 8:22 a.m. EST

Ryan R. Jones - All Headline News Middle East Correspondent

Jerusalem, Israel (AHN) - Israeli defense contractor Rafael Armament Development Authority Ltd. was announced on Tuesday as one of the winners of a tender to supply the U.S. Marines with a fleet of new armored vehicles.

Ha'aretz reported that a deal to supply Marine forces based in Iraq with 60 "Golan" armored vehicles at a cost of $37 million has already been signed.

Ultimately, the Marines are looking to purchase 4,000 new armored vehicles, and will choose from among the Golan and four other designs developed by firms around the world.

The Golan, which was developed together with American defense contractor PVI, made the final cut due to its ability to protect its occupants from roadside bombs, mines and RPGs - weapons that are greatly plaguing U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[Horse with no Name]

1. And we don't have any struggling automakers in the US

who could do this? Pretty sad when our government doesn't even buy American.

[cmd]

2. Another disgusting move by the destroyer

I wonder how we'll manage the next 22 months.

[Horse with no Name]

3. I could imagine that those bohemoth Suburbans could be modified

to fit the needs nicely. With GM struggling...a cool 37 million in their budget couldn't hurt. It would also save American jobs.

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. hmmmm no

The needs that they need and the types of armor would overwhelm your suburban. Making them Light Armoered Vehciles for VIP transport overwhelms them already and shortens their service life by quite a bit.

(Due to what I used to do I actually got the pleasure of breaking the blades of a couple sets of blades for jaws of life... damn it, we did not know where the cutting points were!)

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Actually no

most of the plants that COULD be turned over to produce military gear have been closed

That is your short answer

And Toyota and Honda, who HAVE BUILT the plants in the US, I suspect would not be able to retool.


The reality is... the chips in our smart bombs are made in taiwan and Japan

We do not even make the critical components for many of our weapons any longer etiher

[Divernan]

4. How absolutely disgusting!

All that money to the Israeli war machine, when the US autoworkers are in such desperate straits.

[Vidar]

5. At least, our troops will be better armored. Israel actually protects

their soldiers.

[shance]

6. Don't think there is not a catch with this transaction. This is unbelievable.

n/t

[Vidar]

8. I'm sure there is: just another turn in the cycle of graft & corruption.

[Miss Chybil]

7. 616k per ...

What could REALLY cost that much? Not that they don't need them... but, I'm just saying. Of course, I saw a post on here a week, or so, ago talking about up-armored Humvees at over 900k a piece. Ridiculous. Can't they protect our troops without raping us at the same time? Ah... but that's what war's all about isn't it. Some people get rich. Other people get poor and a bunch of people get dead. It would be so much better just to bring them home. I'm sure these vehicles would cost a fraction of what they're charging were we at peace.

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. The armor pannels are that costly

FYI, a police vest runs anywhere from 900 for the cheap models to 3,000 for the top of the line... and those are not the ones the troops take to teh field

But kevlar is the material used for both vests and the armor pannnels in many cases. The cost of a police vest, should give you an idea... oh and I forogt to tell you this...

lets say your local cop got shot, or the vehicle survived the explosion... the vest or the armored pannels have to be replaced since they are now ballistically compromised

Portecting people costs LOTS of money... so here is the question, do you want the troops protected? As I said it does cost money.

Not to say that there is not enough graft and corruption going all around... but the pannels themselves ARE that expensive

[Ganja Ninja]

12. Here's a photo