Force Protection Announces New IndependentDirector.

John W. Paxton Sr. to Immediately Join Board of Directors

LADSON, S.C. -- Force Protection, Inc. (NASDAQ:FRPT) today announced that it has named John W. Paxton Sr. to its board of directors. The appointment is effective February 20, 2008.

Mr. Paxton has more than 30 years of

senior management experience and currently serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pro Mach, Inc., an integrated packing solutions provider, as well as Chairman of Mobilisa, a provider of wireless internet solutions to the Department of Defense. He also serves on the board of directors of IIMAK, a leading manufacturer of thermal transfer ribbons.

Prior to these positions, Mr. Paxton served in various executive positions with RCA Corp., Kollsman Instrument Co., and Martin Marietta. From 1998 to 2003, Mr. Paxton served as a director and co-investor of TransDigm, a premier supplier of proprietary aerospace components for both commercial and military aircraft. He also has experience as a senior executive in turnaround projects, having served as President of Zebra Technologies, a manufacturer of thermal transfer barcode printers and as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Telxon, Inc., a world leader in the design, manufacture, integration, and marketing of portable and wireless tele-transaction computers and systems.

Michael Moody, Chairman and Interim Chief Executive Officer of Force Protection, commented, "We are very pleased to have attracted an executive of John's caliber to serve on our board of directors. His lengthy record of success and wide experience in the aerospace and defense industry and in turnaround situations will be a tremendous asset to our business. It is my belief that strengthening our board of directors and our corporate governance should be a priority for the company as we continue in our mission to ensure the highest levels of capability in every area of our operations and our management. John's appointment is an important step in this regard."

Mr. Paxton commented, "I am pleased to lend my experience to Force Protection. The company has incredibly important products and technology and an excellent opportunity to grow and expand its business. I believe that my skill set and background will enable me to be of significant assistance to the Company. As a member of the board of directors, I am excited at the opportunity to contribute to Force Protection's strategic and corporate development and to help ensure that the interests of its shareholders are well served."

About Force Protection, Inc.

Force Protection, Inc. is a leading American designer, developer and manufacturer of life saving survivability equipment, predominantly ballistic- and blast-protected wheeled vehicles currently deployed by the U.S. military and its allies to support armed forces and security personnel in conflict zones. The Company's specialty vehicles, the Cougar and the Buffalo, and the Cheetah, are designed specifically for reconnaissance, forward command and control, and urban operations and to protect their occupants from landmines, hostile fire, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs, commonly referred to as roadside bombs). The Company is one of the original developers and primary providers of vehicles for the U.S. military's Mine Resistant Ambush Protected, or MRAP, vehicle program.

For more information on Force Protection and its vehicles, visit www.forceprotection.net.

Safe Harbor Language

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company generally uses words such as "believe," "may," "could," "will," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the risks described in the Company's Form 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although management believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, they relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made, and the Company's future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements may not meet these expectations. The Company does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this document to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in expectations, except as required by law.