October 29, 2005: The United States is spending $180 million to buy more Stryker wheeled armored combat vehicles. These currently cost about $1.65 million each, but the above purchase includes spare parts and some specialized maintenance equipment. There is also a separate $50 million being spent to repair combat damage, and replacing Strykers lost in action. Some 16 Strykers were written off for combat damage so far this year. The new Strykers will be used to form new Stryker units, and to provide 5-10 vehicles per brigade in combat zones, to be used as quick replacements for vehicles destroyed, or undergoing repairs.
