Canada has ordered 120 LAV-III eight-wheeled armored personnel carriers for $169 million and expects to exercise its option to buy another 171 specialized variants.--Stephen V Cole

France has received the final bids for its new VCI 8-wheeled armored personnel carrier. GIAT has offered two vehicles, one being an expanded version of its Vextra vehicle and the other a license built version of the Mowag Piranha LAV-IV. Panhard/Renault has offered their own eight-wheeled armored vehicle (built in cooperation with the German companies KUKA and Henschel). The vehicle will carry ten infantry, a commander-gunner in a one-man turret mounting a 25mm cannon, and a driver. Whichever vehicle is picked, the French will choose between the Dragar and FVT925 turrets.--Stephen V Cole