Upgraded Light Armoured Vehicles (LAV) IIIs Get Home at CFB Petawawa

October 5, 2012. David Pugliese - Defence Watch

Press release from the CF:

CFB PETAWAWA, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – Oct. 5, 2012) – The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today attended the grand opening for a new facility that will house the fleet of upgraded Light Armoured Vehicles (LAV) IIIs at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Petawawa. This infrastructure, valued at $21.8 million, supports the LAV III Upgrade Project, which was announced in July 2009 and aims to upgrade the fleet by improving the protection, mobility and lethality of the vehicle while maximizing command support and human interface factors. The project helped generate 102 job opportunities during the construction phase.

“The Government of Canada is committed to supporting our men and women in uniform. CFB Petawawa’s fleet of newly modernized and upgraded LAV IIIs represent the technologically advanced equipment that the Canadian Forces deserves,” said Minister MacKay. “The project is a demonstration of the positive economic impact and close ties between the base and the local community”

While on base, Minister MacKay officially cut the ribbon for the new 9840m2 facility that will house the fleet of upgraded LAV IIIs stationed at CFB Petawawa. The new infrastructure will be used as a crew work area to support day to day training and driver maintenance. The facility has been designed using the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver features to include rainwater harvesting, solar wall system, storm water management, landscaping to eliminate irrigation, low flow fixtures, lighting and temperature controls. This facility is required as the newly upgraded LAV IIIs must have indoor accommodation for storage, as well as ongoing maintenance and training.

The Government of Canada conducted an open, fair, and transparent competition process in order to award the contracts associated with this project. In line with the Canada First Defence Strategy, there is a need to update and replace dated defence infrastructure to meet the challenges of the 21st century.