Two unidentified countries in Africa ordered more light armored vehicles for their military forces from Israel Aerospace Industries.

IAI, which did not report the value of the two separate contracts, said nearly 100 RAM MK3 vehicles would be delivered.

Deliveries have begun, it said, and will continue throughout the year.

"These additional contracts validate the continued confidence that our African customers have in the RAM vehicles and underscores the extent to which the RAM design is superbly suited for service throughout this continent's extremes of climate and terrain," IAI said.

The RAM MK3 has a combat weight of 14,330 pounds, carries eight fully equipped troops and a speed of about 56 mph. It features a monocoque hull for protection against land mines and an air-cooled turbocharged diesel engine.

IAI said it has sold more than 450 RAM vehicles in various configurations to military and police forces around the world.