600 new fighting vehicles to be delivered to the front line

General Dynamics UK chosen for new Specialist Vehicle Programme.

The Ministry of Defence have selected General Dynamics UK as the Preferred Bidder for the demonstration phase for the new Specialist Vehicle (SV) Programme, which will see a new fleet of medium-weight armoured fighting vehicles.

The first instalment of the SV Programme should deliver around 600 vehicles to the front line, with the possibility of further purchases in the future.

The demonstration phase of the new SV programme will include development of Scout, the principal reconnaissance vehicle that will replace the Scimitar vehicle currently deployed in Afghanistan.

The SV fleet will provide improved protection against a wide range of threats and bring significant benefits to the Army, including greater firepower, longer range sensors and sighting systems and a higher level of reliability.

Under the proposed solution around 70 per cent of the work on this vehicle would take place in the UK, which would ensure the creation or sustainment of over 10,000 British jobs within the armoured vehicle sector.

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said: "This represents a very important milestone towards replacing the ageing CVR-T and is one of the highest equipment priorities for the Army."

"We are determined to provide the Armed Forces with the capabilities they require, and the Specialist Vehicle decision follows the announcement of our commitment to order an initial batch of 200 LPPV that we will get to Afghanistan as quickly as possible."

Further information:
Ministry of Defence