British Army Bolsters Logistics with Rapid Acquisition of 500 MAN Trucks
The British Army is set to receive a significant boost in its operational capabilities with the procurement of 500 palletised load system (PLS) support trucks through a rapid acquisition initiative led by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S). Under a £282 million contract with Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles, the Army will soon add multipurpose trucks from the HX family to its fleet.
Collaborative efforts between DE&S, Army Headquarters, and the Field Army have expedited the procurement process, resulting in the swift acquisition of these vehicles within just seven months. Major General Darren Crook of DE&S hailed the project’s agility and collaborative spirit, emphasising its significance in meeting the evolving needs of soldiers in dynamic operational environments.
The acquisition of these trucks underscores the military’s commitment to enhancing its logistical backbone and operational readiness.
Colonel Stuart Nasse of Army Headquarters, highlighted the importance of reinforcing the Army’s logistical capabilities, praising the collaborative effort between stakeholders in promptly delivering essential resources.
The HX family of trucks, renowned for their mobility and reliability, integrates military-grade components and offers several enhancements compared to existing platforms. Minister For Defence Procurement,
James Cartlidge emphasised the importance of equipping the Armed Forces with cutting-edge tools to ensure readiness and resilience in the face of evolving threats.
The rapid procurement of these vehicles comes at a crucial time for the British Army as it prepares to meet increased commitments in 2024, including engagements with the NATO New Force Model. The acquisition aligns with the Chief of General Staff’s objective of enhancing logistical capabilities within the Army.
The trucks have been manufactured by Rheinmetall in Vienna, Austria.
Overall, the swift acquisition of these support trucks underscores the military’s dedication to providing essential resources, thereby enhancing its operational effectiveness and readiness for future challenges.
Babcock Secures Five-Year Royal Navy SPS In-Service Support Contract
The contract for maintaining the Ships Protective Systems (SPS) encompasses vital services such as degaussing, cathodic protection, and active shaft grounding for ships and submarines, aimed at minimising hull corrosion and reducing magnetic signatures to enhance their resilience against magnetic mines.
By extending its involvement in the provision of in-service support for SPS, Babcock reinforces its commitment to ensuring the Royal Navy’s key assets remain operational and durable over the long term. In an era marked by significant geopolitical uncertainty, the importance of national security has never been more pronounced, underscoring the critical nature of delivering complex defence requirements with precision and reliability.
A key component of the contract involves the provision of system spares, with Babcock partnering with Allan Webb Ltd to effectively manage the risks associated with obsolescence for the affected systems. Additionally, the contract includes the repair of defective system parts, leveraging Babcock’s extensive experience in mitigating challenges stemming from system obsolescence.
Neil Young, Babcock’s Engineering and Technology Director, expressed confidence in the existing SPS team and highlighted the MoD’s trust in their ability to deliver reliable in-service support to the Royal Navy’s surface and submarine fleets.
With a longstanding history of collaboration with the Royal Navy and MoD, Babcock remains dedicated to supporting their critical assets and looks forward to further strengthening this enduring partnership. Their commitment to the mission reflects their unwavering dedication to safeguarding national security and ensuring operational readiness.
UK MoD to Boost Naval Security with £2M Contract for Limpet Mine Disposal
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has unveiled plans to award a five-year contract worth £2.4 million to ABP Technologies Ltd for the procurement of Cartridge Limpet Mine Disposal Equipment. This initiative, led by the Defence General Munitions (DGM) Delivery Team, aims to bolster the MoD’s capabilities in disposing of limpet mines, crucial for naval security.
The contract entails an initial three-year core term, with the option to extend for two additional one-year periods, ensuring sustained support for the MoD’s Limpet Mine Disposal Equipment capability.
Limpet mines, named for their resemblance to the shape of limpets, are naval mines attached to targets via magnets. Typically deployed by swimmers or divers, these mines pose significant threats to naval vessels and underwater installations.
The Limpet Mine Disposal Equipment (LMDE) disrupts thin-cased sea mines attached to ship hulls or underwater structures. Consisting of a disruptor system mounted on a stand secured with magnets, the LMDE is diver-deployable and equipped with buoyancy blocks for ease of handling and placement.
Operated by divers, the LMDE projects a high-velocity slug of water into the target, penetrating its skin and disrupting the explosive filling and detonation mechanism. Constructed from corrosion-resistant materials, including hard-anodized aluminium and stainless steel, the LMDE ensures reliability and effectiveness in challenging maritime environments.
The contract with ABP Technologies Ltd underscores the MoD’s commitment to enhancing its mine disposal capabilities, crucial for safeguarding naval assets and maritime security. ABP’s combined in-house expertise in bespoke engineering design, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Special Projects and In-Service Support provides a high quality one-stop engineering solution for the Royal Navy in this domain.
DE&S FCG Initiates Contract for Advanced FSOC Development
This contract, awarded by Future Capability Group (FCG) to Digital Concept Engineering of Leicestershire and their subcontractors, Laser Optical Engineering Ltd, under the auspices of the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO), aims to create a state-of-the-art Future Space Optics Communications (FSOC) system equipped with auto-tracking and variable zoom lens capabilities.
Unlike traditional Radio Frequency (RF) systems, the FSOC system will offer an extended range of over 5km while remaining undetectable, resistant to jamming, and providing enhanced bandwidth. This advancement addresses a known vulnerability of UAS, enabling quicker transmission of data for improved situational awareness.
James Morris, Maritime Head of FCG, highlighted the effectiveness of DE&S’ commercial framework approach, emphasizing the rapid response capability it offers to meet customer needs. He expressed confidence in the framework’s ability to deliver swift and competitive solutions to market.
Christopher Hellier, OCTO Chief of Staff, underscored the importance of the project in navigating towards a capability resilient to electronic warfare disruptions. The considerations made by DCE regarding weight, power, and packaging are expected to have broader applications across the defence sector.
The contract marks a significant milestone in DE&S’ efforts to bolster the security of UAS, demonstrating a commitment to innovation and technological advancement in defence operations.
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