More than 100 of the latest cargo trucks to be used by British military forces around the world have set sail for the Army’s training centre in Canada.
The trucks are part of the £1.3B replacement Support Vehicle programme awarded to MAN trucks in 2005 which will see the supply of some 7,300 cargo and recovery vehicles. The procurement programme is being managed by the General Support Vehicles Integrated Project Team (GSV IPT) which is a through life IPT, responsible for the procurement and in-service management of heavy logistics vehicles with a payload of four tonnes and above. GSV IPT is one of eight IPTs and Groups who are participating in DVD at Millbrook this year. As GSV IPT’s annual stakeholder day, DVD plays a critical role in the delivery of programmes such as Support Vehicle. It provides a unique opportunity for the defence community, bringing together manufacturers, purchasers, specifiers and senior users so they can discuss, learn about and experience the equipment and support critical to the success of the UK’s defence and emergency services. The shipment, loaded by the 17 Port and Maritime Regiment Royal Logistic Corps onto Anvil Point, the roll-on roll-off ferry at Marchwood in Southampton, will form part of the training fleet at BATUS (British Army Training Unit Suffield) in Canada. The trucks will be used to give troops valuable experience in driving and maintaining the vehicles before they are deployed on operations. With automatic/automated gear changing, electronic braking systems, more comfortable cabs, air-conditioning and the latest diagnostic and fault finding systems, the new Support Vehicle is far more advanced than its predecessors. The trucks can also be fitted with an appliqué Armour kit to protect the crew from small arms fire, ballistic and mine blasts, and are built ready to receive BOWMAN radio equipment. The vehicles will give front line forces a much improved logistic capability for moving vital supplies as they can operate across a variety of rough terrain in extreme environments and wade ashore from landing craft. The trucks will be deployed to operational theatres later this year. Members of GSV IPT responsible for the delivery of the new cargo trucks will be at DVD on 25th and 26th June at Millbrook. Visitors wishing to attend DVD must pre-register.
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