Polaris Industries, Medina, Minn. (www.polarisindustries.com), says it will make up to 700 of its all-terrain vehicles for U.S. military forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“We're honored to do our part to help defend the United States of America by providing the world's toughest ATVs to the world's toughest military,” said Tom Tiller, Polaris CEO and president. “The confidence our nations' military has in our product gives this company a tremendous amount of pride.”

The DOD contract comes out of a two-year collaboration with the Special Operations Command (SOCOM). It includes the Polaris Sportsman MV (Military Version) model boasting the chassis and engine of a standard Sportsman 700, billed as the most powerful automatictransmission all-terrain vehicle in the world. The military version also incorporates infrared lights for night vision, roll bar, run-flat tires and keyless ignition, a fortified steel exoskeleton and beefy suspension, cargo racks, bigger fuel tanks, and front and back winches capable of towing 2,500 lb each.