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Backgrounder

Force Mobility Enhancement

BG - 09.018 - July 8, 2009

The Force Mobility Enhancement (FME) project includes the acquisition of a fleet of Armoured Engineer Vehicles (AEV) that will provide crucial support to the Leopard 2 tanks, LAV III, and future fleets, such as the Close Combat Vehicle and the Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle. The project will also install tactical mobility implements on the fleet of Leopard 2 main battle tanks.

The first phase of this project is to acquire Armoured Engineer Vehicles (AEV). The ability of these vehicles to operate under heavy fire will further enhance the Canadian Forces’ mobility and deployability in a wide range of missions. This phase will also acquire Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARV) in support of the AEV.

The AEV ensures troops have a clear, safe path to navigate by clearing mines, debris and other obstacles, filling in craters and providing limited road maintenance and construction. As the new fleet of AEV will use a Leopard 2 tank chassis, they will have a high degree of crew protection and will continue to be an integral part of any armour deployment.

The new AEV will replace the Canadian Forces’ aging fleet of Leopard 1-based Armoured Engineering Vehicle (AEV) Badger fleet. The new fleet of AEV will be capable of supporting the Leopard 2 main battle tank fleet until 2035. FME will procure 13 AEVs, with options for an additional five vehicles.

The second vehicle, the ARV, is like a tow-truck for a tank or other large, armoured vehicle. The ARV is able to recover vehicles from the battlefield while under fire, thanks to its high degree of crew protection. This vehicle will also use a Leopard 2 tank chassis as a basis and will be acquired by exercising contract options from the Tank Replacement Project. FME will procure two ARVs, with an option of an additional two.

The second phase of the project will be to procure tactical mobility implements for the Leopard 2 tank fleet, including dozer blades, mine ploughs and mine rollers. FME will procure 29 sets of implements, with an option of an additional 30.

Both vehicles and the implements procured under FME are expected to reach Initial Operational Capability by 2011, with Full Operational Capability expected by 2015.

The procurement process will be a competitive military off-the-shelf acquisition. A letter of interest may be issued within the month to identify potential bidders. The definition phase of the project will include a solicitation of interest and qualification (SOIQ) or a request for proposals (RFP). Contract award is expected by spring 2011.

The Government of Canada’s Industrial and Regional Benefits policy is applied to this procurement, which means the winning company must generate economic activity in Canada, dollar for dollar equal to the contract value.

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