<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-03-31</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2006-03-31</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001032863</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FORCE PROTECTION INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>frpt</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001315149</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Aguilar Gale Ramon</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>12225 WATSONVILLE ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GILROY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>95020</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>CEP</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <remarks>Original submission of Form 3 included an erroneous entry of 117,583 shares effective 8/17/2005.  No shares were beneficially owned by Mr. Aguilar on 8/17/2005.
Shares were not acquired until February 2006.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Gale Ramon Aguilar</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-03-31</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
