Force Protection Industries, Inc.'s Buffalo Mine Clearance Vehicle Receives National Media Attention.

LADSON, S.C. -- CNN and U.S. Army Highlight Armored Vehicle's Role against Improvised Explosive Devices

Force Protection Industries, Inc.'s (OTCBB:FRPT - News) mine clearance vehicle, the Buffalo, has received new national attention from the media and military alike, with both CNN Late Edition and the U.S. Central Command depicting the armored vehicle as an effective solution to the threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Iraq.

The Buffalo was featured Sunday (3/27) during CNN's Late Edition as one of the tools being used to protect troops against explosive threats in the aftermath of the Falujah invasion. Yesterday (3/28), the Buffalo was highlighted by U.S. Central Command at Camp Tigerland in Baghdad as the newest addition to the Tiger Brigade in the Army's 1088th Engineering Battalion, noting that the 23-ton vehicle is "made of monstrous proportions and appears to be virtually unstoppable."

"Our vehicles are specifically designed to provide protection for our troops while allowing them to perform critical mine detection and removal operations. We are proud to supply vehicles that are being used to stabilize conditions there," said Force Protection Vice President Michael Aldrich.

Recently dubbed an "SUV on Steroids," the Buffalo has been in active operations in Iraq for more than a year and is part of the Pentagon's hunter-killer team concept that protects convoys against the threat of mines, IEDs and other explosive threats. It combines blast protection technology with a mine detection device that allows soldiers to conduct searches from the safety of an armored hull, and incorporates automotive components made by such companies as Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT), Allison Transmission, a division a division of General Motors (NYSE:GM) and Mack Trucks, Inc., a division of Volvo Group (Nasdaq:VOLVY).

To date, the Buffalo has been used to clear nearly 36,000 kilometers of roads and find more than 220 IEDs.

"IEDs and roadside bombs are a daily feature of current combat," said Aldrich. "It is vital that our soldiers have the equipment that can withstand these attacks, and we will continue to do everything necessary to ensure they are supplied with this American-made solution."

Fast becoming the center for blast protection technology and counter-IED research on the East Coast, Ladson, S.C.-based Force Protection also produces the Cougar series, a family of medium-size mine-protected vehicles that can be supplied in four-wheel or six-wheel models. The vehicles can be configured for a wide range of tasks including troop transport of up to 10 personnel, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), command and control, reconnaissance and lead convoy vehicle.

The Cougar Hardened Engineer Vehicle (HEV) was first deployed with Marine Expeditionary Forces last October as a transport vehicle for engineer EOD teams and has been described recently in the Marine Corps News as a "28,550 pound hulk of a vehicle, wrapped in steel armor and ballistic glass."

About Force Protection, Inc.

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, visit http://www.forceprotectioninc.com.

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.