LONDON -- The Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO) has awarded BAE Systems a contract worth up to J15 million to provide support for 500 upgraded FV430s multi-role armoured vehicles.

Capable of carrying up to eight personnel and two crew, the FV430 is the workhorse of British Army mechanised units, fulfilling many varied roles.

A related J85 million contract to upgrade 500 FV430s was awarded last October to BAE Systems. Under the contract, BAE Systems will serve as the design authority for the upgrades, which will include fitting modern engines and transmissions, designed to improve vehicle reliability, while reducing maintenance costs. The work will be carried out by ABRO at Bovington.

“This announcement is the first contract we have awarded under the Partnering Agreement signed between the Ministry of Defence and BAE Systems in December. This Agreement aims to deliver significant improvements in the Land (Army) environment, similar to those already being achieved for both Harrier and Tornado,” said Major General Tim Tyler, DLO Director General Logistics (Land).

“The agreement reflects Defence Industrial Strategy principles by seeking to combine industry and military strengths, helping us deliver better support to our front line troops at better value to taxpayers.”

Ian McNeeney, BAE Systems’ business director Support Programmes for Land Systems said, ”The upgrade contract will significantly increase the reliability of the FV430 fleet and combined with this innovative support contract will deliver a step change in fleet availability and through life support cost. This demonstrates the potential of the Partnering Agreement to deliver major benefit to Defence.”

The contract will be in two stages. The first 18 months will determine an accurate cost profile, subject to extension depending on operational use of the vehicle, which will lead on to a five year support period.

The In-Service Date for the first 50 vehicles is August 2006, with a further 20 vehicles being converted per month over the next two and a half years. The contract will be managed by a BAE Systems Integrated Project Team co-located with the Ministry of Defence at Andover with support from Telford.

BAE Systems
04.04.2006