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Demand for Specialty Armored Vehicles Increases as Force Protection, Inc. Announces Additional Production Lines
Monday July 17, 8:24 am ET

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/060717/20060717005517.html?.v=1

LADSON, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 17, 2006--Force Protection, Inc. (OTCBB:FRPT - News) today announced it is expanding production to meet increased demand for its mine-protected vehicles.

"Our customers in uniform recognize the unmatched protection our vehicles provide and continue to order them at an unprecedented rate," said CEO Gordon McGilton. "As a result, Force Protection is engaged in efforts to triple its internal manufacturing capacity, as well as make use of other companies' capacity to fill present and future orders. We are also increasing our workforce, and today exceeded our 500th employee. We had just twelve employees in the beginning of 2004."

Force Protection's Buffalo and Cougar armored vehicles have been deployed in the global war on terror since July 10, 2003. Operated by combat engineers and explosive ordnance disposal teams, the vehicles have been used in dangerous detection and removal operations and are recognized as an effective solution to counter IEDs and other explosive threats. Despite inaccurate news reports, no fatalities have occurred in any Force Protection vehicle as the company continues to innovate and enhance the blast protection of its products to ensure that troops have the best protection available.

"We receive constant feedback from the troops that these vehicles are saving lives daily," said Vice President for Army Programs Damon Walsh. "They fill a vital role, and we are now establishing a second and third Cougar production line and doubling Buffalo production to ensure these vehicles are delivered in the numbers required by the men and women who need them most."

More than 200 Buffalo and Cougar vehicles are currently deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

About Force Protection

Force Protection, Inc. manufactures ballistic- and mine-protected vehicles through its wholly owned subsidiary. These specialty vehicles are protected against landmines, hostile fire, and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs, commonly referred to as roadside bombs). Force Protection's mine and ballistic protection technology is among the most advanced in the world. The vehicles are manufactured outside Charleston, S.C.

For more information on Force Protection and its vehicles, go to www.forceprotection.net.

This release contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements concerning our business, future plans and objectives and the performance of our products. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties ultimately may not prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Technical complications may arise that could prevent the prompt implementation of the strategic plan outlined above. The company cautions that these forward looking statements are further qualified by other factors including, but not limited to, those set forth in the company's Form 10-KSB filing and other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (available at http://www.sec.gov). The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.


Contact:

Policy Impact Strategic Communications
Jeff Child, 202-737-5339 (Media Contact)
[e-mail]
or
Force Protection, Inc.
Investor Relations, 843-740-7015
[e-mail]

Source: Force Protection, Inc.