Mar 25 2004
The US Army is to spend an estimated $650 million on armour kits by the end of the 2004 fiscal year in a effort to protect troops in Iraq.
Most of the money will be spent on armour kits for Humvee gun trucks which will receive steel doors to replace their canvas doors, which make them easy targets for enemy fire. It is hoped that this will also help to deter attacks on convoys which have been on the increase.
The steel doors will protect the occupants from small arms fire, improvised bombs and mortar fire.
Such has been the demand for the armour for the Humvees, some soldiers have taken matters into their own hands and had steel panels produced by a local steel fabricator.
About 1200 of the Humvees will have received the armour kits by mid March. However, the military intends to equip all 8400 Humvee’s in Iraq with the new armour. They also intend to replace about 4400 Humvee’s stationed in Iraq with models equipped with heavy armour in the doors, floors and other vulnerable areas.
For more information on armour, click here.