Baroness Ann Taylor announced today that the Army has taken delivery of the 500th upgraded Bulldog infantry troop carrier - large numbers of which are deployed in Iraq where they have been praised by troops.
The delivery is part of a programme to upgrade 900 of one of the British Army's workhorse vehicles, the FV430 Mk 2. Soldiers from the First Battalion the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment who have just returned from Basra were at Bovington in Dorset to thank the workers of the Defence Support Group (DSG) as the vehicle, came off the production line today.Baroness Taylor, Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, said: 'This is a hugely impressive achievement. It demonstrates both the technical ability of the DSG staff and their dedication to ensuring our forces on operations have the equipment they need. The up-armoured Bulldog deployed on operations is doing an excellent job in Iraq and I'd like to thank everyone involved for the work they have done upgrading the vehicles so quickly. The Bulldog has earned high praise from soldiers and commanders alike.' Major General Alan Macklin, leader of Defence Equipment and Support organisation's Armoured Fighting Vehicles Group, said: 'People from my team have worked alongside DSG and industry to successfully deliver to the front line, in record time, effectively and efficiently and with great commitment. We aim to deliver the best to our armed forces and in Bulldog we have a great example of that.' Under the £235m upgrade programme the FV432, which is a tracked armoured personnel carrier, receives a new engine, transmission and other systems, which increases reliability and reduces support costs. They are known as Bulldogs. Vehicles destined for Iraq also receive a package of armour, a remotely-operated machine gun and other equipment to enhance personnel protection; these are known as Bulldog Uparmoured. The conversion programme is scheduled for completion in March 2011. Some 30 vehicles are converted each month and at the same time those that require it receive a major overhaul at DSG's Bovington facility. |
