Oshkosh Corp.’s [OSK] Defense division yesterday said it plans to respond to Canada’s Medium Support Vehicle System (MSVS) Standard Military Pattern (SMP) request for proposals, part of the tactical vehicle modernization program.
“We are committed to providing tactical vehicles with the performance and protection that Canadian Forces require to keep their missions moving,” said John Urias, Oshkosh Corp. executive vice president and president of Oshkosh Defense. “By developing a nationwide network of suppliers, Oshkosh Defense is well-positioned to support Canadian vehicle modernization strategy and bring measurable benefits to the Canadian economy.”
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| MSVS SMP Photo: Oshkosh Defense |
Oshkosh Defense said it will propose a solution that leverages the company’s mission-proven vehicle platforms, advanced automotive and safety technologies and life-cycle sustainment solutions to offer the overall best value to the Canadian Government.
Serge Buchakjian, senior vice president and general manager of International Programs for Oshkosh Defense, said: “The Oshkosh MSVS SMP solution is designed to improve the protection and performance capabilities of the Canadian Forces’ medium-payload fleet, both today and for decades to come. The MSVS SMP technical solution developed by Oshkosh is based on a platform with more than one billion real-world operational kilometers in missions around the globe.”
Designed to meet the Canadian Forces’ requirements for highly reliable, durable logistics vehicles for a broad range of missions, the Oshkosh MSVS SMP offering will combine a state-of-the-art drive train, advanced suspension, improved braking and superior armor protection.
Oshkosh Defense will serve as the prime contractor for the program and use its Canadian network of suppliers and assembly capabilities to return value to the Canadian economy.
The company has a long history of working in Canada, and last year Oshkosh Defense opened an office in Ottawa, Ontario to support Canadian vehicle programs (Defense Daily, Jan. 10 2012).
“Oshkosh has supported Canadian businesses and municipalities since 1906 when it started producing specialty vehicles at London Machinery in Ontario, which has provided a strong foundation of Canadian suppliers as we compete for military vehicle contracts,” Urias told Defense Daily in an e-mail response. “Opening the Oshkosh Defense office in Ottawa has enabled us to work more closely with our customers and suppliers on a day-to-day basis to ensure that our offerings infuse value back into the Canadian economy and provide the best technology and overall lifecycle value for Canadian Forces. Our goal is to foster a long and lasting relationship in service to the Department of National Defense.”
Oshkosh program management, industrial regional benefits (IRB) management, engineering, contract management, and purchasing support for the MSVS SMP program will be conducted from the Oshkosh Defense Canada office.