500 support trucks will be delivered to the British Army in 2024
to support operational activity, following a rapid procurement
process.
Collaboration between Defence Equipment & Support, Army
Headquarters and the Field Army has helped push the boundaries of
Defence procurement, acquiring all the vehicles in just 7 months.
Under a £282 million contract, Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles
will deliver the multipurpose trucks that will allow personnel to
load flat racks onto the platform, which can carry essential
logistics such as ammunition, food, water, and support materiel,
to operational locations.
The newly procured vehicles will be from the HX family,
which are a range of purpose-designed military trucks equipped
with a multitude of protection capabilities, keeping our most
important asset safe, our people.
The vehicles will be delivered under the Rapid Acquisition
Project, expediting the procurement of the trucks with efficiency
and precision, meaning these advanced mobility trucks reach
operational deployment swiftly, ultimately enhancing our
military’s agility and responsiveness.
Minister For Defence Procurement, , said:
“The rapid delivery of transport capabilities to the front line
is paramount to the lifeblood of British Army logistics and
operations.
“This procurement demonstrates our commitment to equipping our
Armed Forces with the best tools available, ensuring mobility,
agility, and resilience in the face of evolving threats.”
The HX family stands as a proven and cost-effective mobility
truck class, integrating military off-the-shelf components.
Purposefully designed to bolster military operations, these HX
vehicles offer high mobility and reliability in challenging
terrains. The platforms have several capability improvements
compared to those already in service, including an increased
payload, a reduced turning circle, an underrun protection safety
feature and a more efficient EURO 5 engine.
Major General Darren Crook, Director of the Land
Equipment Operating Centre, DE&S said:
“In an ever-changing and demanding operational landscape, it is
essential that we can quickly identify what equipment our
soldiers need and procure it rapidly.
“This project demonstrates our agility and our commitment to push
the boundaries; it shows what we can achieve when we work
collaboratively to deliver the equipment our Armed Forces need,
when they need it. I’m delighted that together with industry that
we have been able to turn around this contract from conception,
through approvals to contract award and first delivery, in just
seven months.”
Colonel Stuart Nassé, Assistant Head Military Capability
Delivery, Army Headquarters said:
“We are delighted with this project which provides essential
reinforcement to the logistic spine of the Army.
“As a collaborative project, it shows that the acquisition
process can be responsive to user demands, and more
importantly that when the user, delivery agent and industry all
work together we can achieve significant outcomes
quickly. We are really excited to put this important
capability in the hands of the soldiers this year.”
The rapid procurement of these vehicles comes at an essential
time, as in 2024 the British Army will face increased commitments
through Op MOBILISE and its offer to the NATO New Force Model.
The procurement contract also delivers on the Chief of General
Staff, General Sir Patrick Sanders’ objective of increasing
logistical lift as a British Army capability.
