Troop buildup in Afghanistan could translate to business opportunities in Arizona

Building body armor is big biz in Arizona

PHOENIX — Two Phoenix-area manufacturers could pick up as much as $42 million in new military body-armor plate orders from the U.S. Department of Defense.

The Pentagon announced this week it will buy hard-armor plates that fit inside soldiers’ vests from Chandler-based ArmorWorks Enterprises and Rockville, Md.-based BAE Systems.

BAE makes its plates at facilities in Phoenix.

If the military exercises all options, ArmorWorks’ contract could make $21.6 million and BAE’s contract could reach $20.3 million.

BAE and ArmorWorks are among the military’s biggest body-armor suppliers.

Information from: The Arizona Republic, www.azcentral.com