• by Tanya Gazdik , November 30, 2023

GM Defense, a subsidiary of General Motors, has been awarded a 10-year contract from the U.S. Department of State to deliver the next generation of armored SUVs.

The heavy duty vehicles will be delivered via the contract with a ceiling value of $300 million. 

GM Defense was awarded an initial task order through the Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract for vehicles, training and engineering services valued at approximately $25 million. 

This contract follows the development and validation contract awarded in 2021 that delivered prototype vehicles for comprehensive testing and evaluation.

Although the newly designed vehicle doesn't look dramatically different from SUVs manufactured for regular consumers, the HD SUV incorporates protective armor into the original design and manufacturing process that diverges from current after-market, tear-down and rebuild practices. 

The new approach will provide “superior vehicle performance while improving efficiencies in build and lead-time, resulting in faster vehicle delivery to the end user,” per GM.

GM Defense also provides additional benefits through a “robust” manufacturer’s warranty and extended vehicle lifespan that delivers value as compared to the current multistage aftermarket armoring process.

This is a very important program for GM Defense as it showcases the automaker’s ability to leverage commercial platforms and engineering and manufacturing processes of GM to provide a first-of-its-kind vehicle for the Department of State, said Steve duMont, president of GM Defense. 

“Everyone on our team has committed to partnering with the State Department to ensure we deliver the best vehicles to support their mission,” duMont says in a release.

The vehicle will feature a high percentage of commercial-off-the-shelf parts, including the body, exterior, propulsion, interior and brakes. 

GM Defense hosted Department of State leaders in July at Summit Point Training Facility in West Virginia for a half-day of briefings and demonstrations of the newly designed prototype. The engagement included high-performance driving demonstrations, showcasing the vehicle’s handling and maneuverability.