Ocelot Down Selected for Australian Vehicle Competition

LADSON, S.C.--Force Protection, Inc. , a leading designer, developer and manufacturer of survivability solutions and provider of total life cycle support for those products, today announced that its Ocelot light protected patrol vehicle has been down-selected by the Australian Government to compete in the Land 121 Phase 4 Project for the Protected Mobility Vehicle – Light (PMV-L) prototype. Ocelot was offered for the Land 121 competition through Force Protection’s subsidiary, Force Protection Europe, LTD.

“We are delighted at the way Ocelot is being received around the world and expect that our display of the Ocelot at the Eurosatory exhibition in Paris next month will generate still further interest in this important new vehicle.”

In a press release issued earlier today in Australia, The Hon. Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Materiel and Science in the Australian Government, said, "Three Australian based companies will be awarded up to (AUD) $9 million each for the development of protected mobility vehicle prototypes, putting them in the running to land a manufacturing contract for up to 1300 vehicles."

The news from Australia comes on the heels of a decision by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (UK MoD) to issue Force Protection Europe with an Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the Light Protected Patrol Vehicle Programme – Demonstration, Production and Support phases. The issuing of the ITT follows a contract placed with Force Protection Europe by UK MoD for the supply of two Ocelot vehicles.

Commenting on these latest developments, David Hind, Managing Director at Force Protection Europe, said, "We are delighted at the way Ocelot is being received around the world and expect that our display of the Ocelot at the Eurosatory exhibition in Paris next month will generate still further interest in this important new vehicle."

About Force Protection, Inc.

Force Protection, Inc. is a leading designer, developer and manufacturer of survivability solutions, including blast- and ballistic-protected wheeled vehicles currently deployed by the U.S. military and its allies to support armed forces and security personnel in conflict zones. The Company’s specialty vehicles, including the Buffalo, Cougar and related variants, are designed specifically for reconnaissance and urban operations and to protect their occupants from landmines, hostile fire, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs, commonly referred to as roadside bombs). The Company also develops, manufactures, tests, delivers and supports products and services aimed at further enhancing the survivability of users against additional threats. In addition, the Company provides long-term life cycle support services of its vehicles that involve development of technical data packages, supply of spares, field and depot maintenance activities, assignment of highly-skilled field service representatives, and advanced on and off-road driver and maintenance training programs. For more information on Force Protection and its products and services, visit www.forceprotection.net.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward looking statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations. These statements are based on beliefs and assumptions of Force Protection’s management, and on information currently available to management. These forward looking statements include, among other things: the growth, demand and interest and demand for Force Protection’s vehicles, including the Ocelot vehicle; expectations for future contracts for the Ocelot the benefits and suitability of the Ocelot; the rate at which the Company will be able to produce these vehicles; the ability to meet current and future requirements the Company’s execution of its business strategy and strategic transformation, including its opportunities to grow the business; and the Company’s expected financial and operating results, including its revenues, cash flow and gross margins, for future periods. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of them publicly in light of new information or future events. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Examples of these factors include, but are not limited to, ability to effectively manage the risks in the Company’s business; the ability to develop new technologies and products and the acceptance of these technologies and products; the other risk factors and cautionary statements listed in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risks set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and as updated in the Quarterly Report on Form 10Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.