The US Department of Defense has announced that Navistar had been awarded a $26 748 087 firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sales contract for two commercial Medium Tactical Vehicle Variants. Somalia is set to receive the two vehicles: the 6×6 General Transport Truck and the 6×6 Wrecker Vehicle Recovery Truck, and spare parts.
According to Navistar, its 7000-MV General Transport Truck (GTT) has been designed for heavy-duty transport although it can be converted to an armoured personnel carrier. The 7000-MV GTT offers a 5-ton off-road capacity and a weapon station that can handle up to 12.7 mm caliber weapons, although standard payload is 13 tons. The GTT has removable seating to transport up to 20 soldiers or cargo – including ISO containers.
The completion date for the order has been estimated to be in November 2022 and is in line with the US military agenda in Somalia to ensure that it is adeptly equipped to take over security responsibilities upon AMISOM’s exit as well as defeat al Shabaab.
