New army support deal to boost national security

A new agreement between the MOD and Cook Defence Systems to supply spare tracks for the British Army’s armoured fighting vehicles is set to support 125 jobs in the North East.

The three-year deal is worth up to £125 million and will see the company supplying spare parts for all the Army’s principal combat vehicles including its new Challenger 3 tanks.

The new agreement delivers on the recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review, published in June, and the upcoming Defence Industrial Strategy.

Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard, said: "This contract not only strengthens our Army’s warfighting capability, but helps sustain hundreds of skilled jobs in the North East. It’s a clear example of the defence dividend - this Government’s historic increase in defence spending supporting high-skilled jobs across the UK, part of the Plan for Change. This investment is a clear example of the defence dividend where higher defence spending, spent with British firms, supports good, well-paid skilled jobs nationwide.

"The war in Ukraine has taught us that a military is only as strong as the industry behind it. That’s why we’re investing more in our own forces and working with UK industry to scale up production, support our allies, and secure long-term national resilience."