The U.S. Marine Corps recently ordered additional International MaxxPro Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles valued at more than $410 million from Navistar Defense LLC, a wholly owned affiliate of Navistar International Corp.
Navistar says the new order of 743 increases total Category I MRAP vehicle orders to 5,214; current production levels are at 500 vehicle units a month. The company says it has delivered 2,000 MaxxPro MRAP vehicles to the military; Navistar’s overall MRAP vehicle orders total more than $3 billion since the first contract was awarded in May 2007.
MaxxPro MRAP vehicles are designed to protect troops from roadside bombs and other threats. Presently, there are more than 1,500 MaxxPro MRAP vehicles in theater, the company says.
“Navistar’s worldwide service network, manufacturing power and family of truck and engine products offers the U.S. military and our allies tremendous scale,” says Archie Massicotte, president of Warrenville, Ill.-based Navistar Defense LLC. “Building and servicing the MaxxPro MRAP is a privilege because this is about protecting our troops so they can fulfill their missions safely.”
To meet the demands of changing mission requirements calling for increased protection and payload capacity, Navistar introduced its recently updated Category I MaxxPro MRAP vehicle called the MaxxPro Plus. “Our close collaboration with the military enables us to swiftly adapt the MaxxPro to overcome threats and other challenges faced by the troops in theater,” Massicotte says.
As orders continue for these vehicles, Navistar says it has delivered nearly 120,000 parts pieces, components and other field support services to keep MaxxPro MRAP vehicles in theater mission-ready; parts and service awards from the military thus far total more than $300 million. Additionally, nearly $80 million in truck orders, including water and fuel tankers, were awarded to the company in recent months by the military.
Navistar has nearly 1,000 dealership locations worldwide, with facilities in 75 countries outside North America, including Iraq and Afghanistan.
