Head protection and power/data management specialist Galvion has received a follow-on order from Canada’s Department of National Defence (DND) for its Batlskin Caiman ballistic helmet systems, the company announced on 8 July 2024.
The Canadian Dismounted Infantry Capability Enhancement (DICE) programme contract was awarded in February 2023 for 2,100 helmets and 4,200 helmet covers, all of which have been delivered. Now, in year two of a five-year framework contract, the DND has exercised an option to order an additional 8,400 helmets and 16,800 helmet covers, taking the total Canadian DICE order to 10,500 helmets and 21,000 covers, to date.
“Developed over a number of years with extensive SOF community collaboration and feedback, Galvion’s Caiman helmet system has been tried and tested on operations and is in service across multiple countries, delivering unmatched levels of weight and comfort, and is expressly designed to incorporate electronics, communications headsets, and other critical equipment needs, now and into the future,” the company stated in a press release “The helmet is equipped with Galvion’s premiere APEX lining system: an intuitively adjustable design that enables a customised fit for users.”
The helmet systems assessed for DICE were trialled by members of the Canadian Light Infantry at the end of 2022. Conducted under operational conditions, the trials included the integration of equipment such as night vision goggles, gas masks, hearing protection and cold-weather gear. The Caiman helmet received the highest rating by a significant margin, according to Galvion, and was selected after a phased bid process.
“We are incredibly proud to receive this significant order from the Canadian DND,” Galvion CEO Todd Stirtzinger was quoted as saying in a company press release. “The feedback that we are receiving is incredibly positive, and we look forward to outfitting more Canadian soldiers with our best-in-class Caiman head system under their wider equipment modernisation initiative. Follow-on orders like this demonstrate partner confidence and end-user satisfaction, both of which are core drivers for everything that we do at Galvion.
“In conjunction with the substantial Caiman orders that we continue to receive from NATO countries through our NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) framework contract, this recent Canadian order demonstrates that our flagship Caiman is fast becoming the global helmet of choice,” Stirtzinger added.
