Force Protection Europe's next-generation light protected patrol vehicle -
the Ocelot Today (20 February 2011), Force Protection Europe's next-generation light
protected patrol vehicle, Ocelot, is being launched in the Middle East at
the region's largest defence and security exhibition IDEX, which takes place
from 20-24 February at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Ocelot is the most highly protected and agile vehicle of its size and weight
available on today's market. At the end of last year the United Kingdom's
Ministry of Defence (MoD) demonstrated its confidence in the vehicle by
awarding Force Protection Europe a contract to supply 200 to the British
Army in its Foxhound variant. What makes Ocelot stand out from other vehicles of a similar size and weight
is the high level of protection it offers to the occupants, while at the
same time providing exceptional cross country mobility and flexibility. The
vehicle has a unique modular design and an armoured v-shaped hull which runs
the length of the vehicle to protect the occupants and also the critical
components from mine and blast threats. Depending on the desired role of the Ocelot, different pod variants, which
sit on the v-shaped spine, can be easily swopped over to suit different
missions. The Ocelot that is being showcased during IDEX has a protected
patrol vehicle pod but an example of a weapons-mounted infantry kit (WMIK)
pod will also be on display. The vehicle has also been designed from the
outset to allow for growth in payload, power management and incremental
uplift. Created and manufactured in the UK, after a rapid and robust design and
testing programme, the vehicle is the brainchild of survivability specialist
Force Protection Europe. A subsidiary of Force Protection Industries Inc,
renowned for its world-leading mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP)
vehicles such as the Cougar and Buffalo, Force Protection Europe has already
gained a pedigree for combining innovations from the motorsport arena with
traditional defence vehicle discipline. Force Protection Europe has worked
closely on Ocelot's development with automotive specialist Ricardo plc. The vehicle went through more than 12 months of rigorous blast and mobility
testing before being selected by the MoD and the development has not stopped
there. Two Ocelots, in the utility and command variant, have now been sent
over to Australia for trials in the government's Land 121 Phase 4 Project. Gerald Howarth, Minister for International Security Strategy at the UK's
Ministry of Defence, will be attending a media launch event for the vehicle
tomorrow (21 February). He said: "The Ocelot is a testament to British
design and engineering skills. It has already been selected by the UK
Government for our Light Protected Patrol Vehicle programme as it offers
unparalleled levels of protection for a vehicle of its size and weight, with
exceptional performance both on and off road. I believe the Ocelot has the
qualities which other Armies require to meet today's operational challenges
and I'm delighted that it is being considered by Governments around the
world. I wish the team every success in exporting this excellent vehicle."