Italy's Iveco has signed an agreement to sell 80 military and police vehicles to Lebanon, an Italian industrial source has said.
The deal, worth around 30 million euros, was signed in mid-December and could be followed in the new year by further orders, the source said.
The contract includes 25 Lince vehicles, also known as Light Multipurpose Vehicles vehicles, and five larger, MPV vehicles in troop transport version, as well as 10 6-by-6 VBTP armored vehicles.
The VBTP has been developed by Iveco for Brazil and — following a production contract signed in 2009 — is being built in Brazil, with plans for around 2,000 to be built in 20 years.
At the time of the contract signing with Brazil, Iveco said more than 100 local direct suppliers would be involved in the work on the 18 metric ton, six-wheel drive vehicle, which it said would measure almost seven meters in length, possess amphibious capability and be able to carry 11 soldiers.
This marks the first time the vehicles have been exported from Brazil.
The 40 remaining vehicles making up the Lebanese contract will be police vehicles and trucks, the source said.
Tom Kington is the Italy correspondent for Defense News.
