Spanish Marines set to receive AAVs from BAE (surplus USMC stock that's been refurbished?)...

via Defense News.

 The U.S. State Department has cleared Spain to purchase 11 assault amphibious vehicles, built by BAE systems, in a deal that could be worth $107 million.

The possible foreign military sale notification was posted on the website of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency on Friday. Sale notifications are not guarantees of sale, and quantities and dollar figures can often change during final negotiations.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a NATO ally which is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” the notification reads. “It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist Spain in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.”

Spain seeks three types of vehicles in the deal, which will join the 19 AAVs already in use by that country. Included in the proposal are eight personnel carriers, two command vehicles and one recovery vehicle. Also included are “Enhanced Armor Applique Kits (EAAK), spare and repair parts, tools and test equipment, technical data and publications, training and training material,” per the notice.

Story here. 

I expect to see much more of this.  While the USMC is moving forward with the Amphibious Combat Vehicle, many nations are satisfied with the status quo represented by the AAV.

What has me spinning is SAIC's approach to this.

Why in God's name aren't they marketing the Survivability Upgrade they proposed to the USMC to every AAV user?  They could make a killing but they apparently lack imagination.

Give me a week running that shop, working their advertisements and calling every Ministry Of Defense that operates AAV and I could get them at least a billion dollars worth of work and keep a plant busy for at least a couple of years.