British Bulldog - protecting the protectors
DEFENCE MINISTER 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.
End
1. The Bulldog upgrade programme is managed by a Joint MOD/BAE Systems IPT working under the auspices of the Defence Industrial Strategy carried out by the Defence Support Group (DSG).
2. The standard Bulldog weighs 13 tonnes in its modified form, has a top speed of 44mph and can carry eight infantrymen, who dismount from the vehicle to carry out operations, and a crew of two. British troops and their commanders have praised the Bulldog's excellent protection, mobility and reliability.
3. The primary role of the FV432 vehicle has been as an Armoured Personnel Carrier. Additional key roles are as Command Post, Mortar Carrier and Ambulance. The first 12 vehicles were deployed on the streets of Basra in November 2006. They have seen active service in a variety of roles with 1 Lancs; 4 The Rifles; 1 Scots Guards; UK Medical Group and the Welsh Guards.
4. Components included in the upgrade are a new engine made by Cummins UK in Darlington; an engine management system built by Ferranti in Oldham and a cooling system made by Gallay in Wellingborough.
5. Over 1400 FV430 Mk2 vehicles are still operational. The vehicle has been a workhorse of the British Army, having first entered service in the early 1960s.
Published on: 2008-05-21
Limited copyright is granted for you to use and/or republish any story on this site for
any legitimate media purpose as long as you reference 7thSpace and any source mentioned in the story above. Please
make sure to read our disclaimer prior to contacting 7thSpace Interactive. To contact our editors, visit our online helpdesk. If you wish submit your own press release, click here.
Social Bookmarking
RETWEET This! | Digg this! | Post to del.icio.us | Post to Furl | Add to Netscape | Add to Yahoo! | Rojo
|
|
