New Army cargo trucks head for Canada's training fields
11 Mar 08
Over 100 state-of-the-art cargo trucks, designed to perform wherever and whenever the 'going gets tough', have set sail for the Army's training centre in Canada.
Some of the cargo trucks already loaded onto the ferry at Marchwood
[Picture: Andrew Linnett]
The shipment, loaded by the 17 Port and Maritime Regiment Royal Logistic Corps onto Anvil Point, the roll-on roll-off ferry at Marchwood, Southampton, will form part of the training fleet at BATUS (British Army Training Unit Suffield) in Canada so that troops are able to gain experience in driving and maintaining the vehicles before they go on operations.
With better brakes, more comfortable cabs, air-conditioning and the latest in diagnostic and fault finding systems, this new support vehicle is far more technologically advanced than its predecessors. The trucks can also be fitted with an appliqué armour kit to protect the crew from small arms fire and mine blasts, and are ready to receive BOWMAN radio equipment.
The vehicles will give front line forces a much improved capability for moving vital supplies such as water and ammunition as they can operate across a variety of rough terrain in extreme environments and wade ashore from landing craft.
The trucks, which are produced by MAN ERF UK, will be deployed to operational theatres later this year.