20 January 2003

Smiths Receives New Zealand Armed Forces Order For New Light Armoured Vehicles Chemical Detection

20 January 2003 - Watford, England - Smiths Detection has received an order to supply GID-3 Ô for the New Zealand Army's new Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) being manufactured by Diesel Division of GM Canada (DGM). The order calls for Smiths Detection to supply roughly one third of the LAVs on order with the GID-3 Chemical Warfare detector to be fitted inside the vehicle. The delivery schedule is designed to coincide with that of the vehicle programme and includes test and trials deliveries.

About the GID-3

The GID-3 can detect the presence of Chemical Warfare agent in vapour form both inside and outside the vehicle whilst the vehicle is on the move or static. The mounting option selected also enables the GID-3 to be removed from the vehicle and be deployed with the infantry soldiers from the vehicle crew should they dismount.

The GID-3, designed from the start for this dual use, has already been selected in these roles in a number of defence and civil defence forces. By far the biggest purchaser (with 20000) is the United States DoD where the GID-3 is called the ACADA GID-3. The US Army has a number of vehicles equipped in this way. The FOX/FUCHS nuclear and chemical survey vehicle in the US /British Armies is similarly equipped. The order from New Zealand brings to 10 the number of countries with vehicles equipped in this way. The fitting of GID-3, especially when coupled with t