The US Navy has awarded a $19m contract to BAE Systems to upgrade its 1,800 Caiman mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles.

The company has received the contract from the US Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, Virginia.

Under this upgrade contract the company will increase the functionality and dependability of several of the Caiman’s systems and individual items.

The work is expected to be complete by July 2010 at the Kuwait refurbishment facility.

BAE Systems global tactical systems vice president and general manager Chris Chambers said that the engineering upgrades to the Caiman MRAP provide the naval forces with the latest vehicle enhancements, enabling the military to execute the missions in a safe and effective manner.

The company has produced 2,868 Caiman MRAPs as part of the vehicle’s 22-month yield.