Lord Drayson announces delivery of new MOD cargo vehicles
16 Aug 07
The Ministry of Defence has announced today, Thursday 16 August 2007, that it has taken delivery of 161 state of the art trucks that form the first stage of a £1.3bn project to replace the MoD's tri-Service fleet of four, eight, and fourteen tonne cargo vehicles and recovery trucks.
One of the new MAN ERF support vehicles being put through its paces
[Picture: Andrew Linnett]
The new support vehicles will be the logistic workhorse for all three Services and are considerably more technically advanced than their predecessors. The trucks are fitted with more comfortable cabs, air conditioning and the latest in diagnostic and fault finding systems. They can also be fitted with an armour pack to protect crew from small arms fire and mine blasts.
The delivery of the new vehicles to Defence Training establishments represents the first stage of entry into service with current plans for the vehicles to be deployed on operations during 2008.
"This is a significant milestone in our aim to progressively replace the existing tri-Service fleet during the next seven years."
Lord Drayson, Minister of State for Defence Equipment and Support
The deliveries will continue for the next seven years with chassis and cabs being built in Vienna before being shipped across to the UK to have their role specific equipment fitted by companies here.
Lord Drayson, Minister of State for Defence Equipment and Support, said of today's announcement:
"I am delighted to announce the delivery of the first wave of these trucks from contractor MAN ERF. This is a significant milestone in our aim to progressively replace the existing tri-Service fleet during the next seven years.
"These trucks will give our front line forces a much improved vehicle for moving vital supplies such as ammunition, food and water while on operations. They will be able to operate across rough terrain, in extreme environments of hot and cold, and can drive ashore from landing craft."
The new trucks will give front line forces a much improved capability
[Picture: Andrew Linnett]
As well as benefiting from 21st century electronics and fault diagnosis, the new trucks are supported by a 20 year Contractor Logistic Support arrangement that includes world-wide spares replenishment, publication updates and reconditioning of repairable items, underpinned by guaranteed turn-around times and measured with contractual Key Performance Indicators.