VBTP-MR going to Eurosatory 2012.

via DEFESA GLOBAL...

Iveco Defence Vehicles will show at Eurosatory 2012, one of the first production Iveco Veículos de Defesa VBTP-MR (Viatura Blindada de Transporte de Pessoal-Média de Rodas) Guarani amphibian weeled armoured vehicles.

Later this year, the Brazilian Army is to receive the first vehicles of 2044 units procured to Iveco Defence Vehicles Latin America in several variants.

The reason why this vehicle is so interesting to me and why I'm trying to keep track of it is because I believe that it directly affects the Marine Corps Personnel Carrier competition.

Notice the production figures?

2044 units?  Impressively large.  Built to satisfy requirements that are remarkably similar to the USMC's and in my opinion the SuperAV 8x8 is simply an enlarged VBTP-MR.

So what does that mean for our program?  It means that the idea of this becoming a cost shoot out is more and more of a reality.  If Iveco and BAE are able to build parts for the SuperAV 8x8 in Brazil then that should chill out a trading partner that the Obama Administration (and in fairness all free trade hawks) is desperate to please.

I can almost see another Super Tucano type arrangement being established if the SuperAV is chosen.  Parts built in Brazil and BAE assembling the vehicle in Texas.

This is definitely Big Boy procurement.  Can we all say cut throat?