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A budget of £400m for protected vehicles and military equipment against IED for British troops 22121.
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Defense News - United Kingdom |
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Thursday, December 22, 2011, 06:31 PM |
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A budget of £400m for protected vehicles and military equipment against IED for British troops. | |||
A £400m package
of protected vehicles and Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED)
technology to further improve the protection of British Forces in Afghanistan
has been announced by the British Defence Secretary Philp Hammond today,
December 22, 2011. |
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Foxhound Light Protected Patrol Vehicle undergoing extensive trials and testing at Millbrook Proving Ground, Bedford, prior to acceptance into service (stock image) [Picture: Andrew Linnett, Crown Copyright/British MOD 2011] |
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IEDs
are the single greatest threat to our forces in Afghanistan. Improving
the protection of our troops on the front line is the military's number
one priority, and these investments mark another major step forward in
the battle against the Taliban. "Success
in Afghanistan is our number one priority and protecting our forces from
IEDs is our most urgent challenge. |
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Foxhound is at the cutting edge of protected patrol vehicle technology and will provide unprecedented levels of blast protection for its size and weight (stock image) [Picture: Andrew Linnett, Crown Copyright/British MOD 2011] |
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Originally
procured as an Urgent Operational Requirement, Foxhound was designed specifically
to protect against the threats faced by troops in Afghanistan - for example,
its V-shaped hull helps it withstand explosions caused by an improvised
explosive device. Its size and agility allows troops to carry out a wide range of tasks in environments that may restrict larger, heavier vehicles. Foxhound is ideal for the Partnering and Mentoring role required for Transition, being able to access urban areas with increased protection. The vehicle incorporates state of the art technology from a range of areas, including from non-traditional defence sources such as the UK's world-leading motorsport industry, drawing a significant number of SMEs from across the country into the supply chain. Its engine can be removed and replaced in just 30 minutes and it can drive away on only three wheels. The vehicle was designed, developed, and built in the UK by FPE and Ricardo plc, together with Team Ocelot partners Thales, QinetiQ, Formaplex, DSG and Sula. Construction of the vehicles will take place throughout the UK. Since May 2010 more than £500m has been approved for the purchase of protected vehicles in Afghanistan, including the new Foxhound patrol vehicle. Owing to the nature of the C-IED procurement, there are no other details that are releasable on this procurement that would not be in breach of its security classification. |
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