BAE Systems has received a $306 million contract modification to upgrade Bradley Fighting Vehicles.

The work will be performed at its West Manchester Township facility to provide combat vehicles for National Guard units in Pennsylvania and Minnesota, the defense contractor announced Tuesday.

Upgraded vehicles will also be provided for battalions of National Guard units in Kansas, South Carolina and Ohio.

Manufacturing will begin this month, and the vehicles are expected to be delivered to soldiers in April 2014.

"The Bradleys we are producing today provide the National Guard with enhanced survivability and interoperability on today's digital battlefield," said Joe McCarthy, vice president and general manager of combat vehicles at BAE Systems.

The contract modification supplements the $340 million BAE previously received to purchase upgraded materials for the Bradley program.

The upgrades will be completed by BAE's existing workforce in York County, Fayette, Pa., and Aiken, S.C., according to a company statement.

Last year, BAE spent more than $26 million in the region, as it purchased materials from local manufacturers, and the upgrades will increase that economic footprint, according to spokesman Randy Coble.

Its biggest local supplier is Manchester Township-based Military & Commercial Fasteners Corp., he said.

"This contract modification is also beneficial to our supply chain," Coble said. "It's a good thing that means more work for our York site and positive impact for the region."

- Candy Woodall can also be reached at cwoodall@yorkdispatch.com.