TAPV and the near future of armor advances.

Canada's TAPV is another of those armored vehicle programs that's suddenly gotten quiet.

During 2011 there was a flurry of activity...Textron even moved into a new building in Canada...but nothing since.  My big worry is that once the JLTV, GCV, MPC and ACV programs are done (in addition to this one) that's going to be a wrap for the foreseeable future.

I think we're seriously heading into a time of upgrades and upgrades only.  It is entirely possible that the same tank (with upgrades) being driven today will be the same one thats driven by some Tankers great grandson in 2050.

That should give everyone in the armor industry pause.  The great armor depression is right around the corner.

via Defense and Freedom

What's going to add to the pain is the fact that even small nations are developing home grown armored vehicles to meed their needs.  The big companies...Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, BAE, KMW and others are going to have to develop some kind of strategy to penetrate those markets or else watch market share disappear.  I hate to say it but partnerships are the only viable solution.  Develop the vehicle and then allow production to occur in the smaller country.  Maybe not as profitable but it will allow some of the big guys to survive...or else we're going to see consolidation like never before.  It could make what happened in the aircraft industry look like a spring shower.