29 Jun 05. David Gould – Deputy Chief Executive of the DPA opened the 2005 DVD Show with an upbeat assessment of the operations of the DPA and the SUV IPT in particular. “During the year we have had to administer a growing number of levels of spares, support and new special requirements. A great deal of these requirements has arisen from Urgent UOR’s from operation Tellic. One of these projects was the introduction of the armoured Land Rover fleet of SNATCH Vehicles refurbished form the exiting fleet,“ he said.
There was an upbeat air at DVD 05 and the Editor received nothing but praise from exhibitors and visitors alike for the organisation and ease of registration, parking and entry into the show. “DVD has come of age,” one exhibitor told the Editor, “It is now an established part of the International Defence Exhibition Clanedar.” This view was certainly reflected by SUV IPT Leader Nigel Gilhead, who had not visited DVD since the early days and was rumoured to be overwhelmed by the size of the show since its early days as a fledgling shop window for the IPT.
David Gould announced that BAE had been awarded an AS90 Support Contract thus enabling British soldiers to get even better logistics support for their AS90 guns and the MOD will save some £29 million over the next five years, thanks to a new partnering arrangement between the MOD and BAE Systems. This was officially announced today at DVD by David Gould.
Levels of spares availability for the AS90, a 155mm self-propelled gun, will also be significantly improved as the result of the £60 million contract awarded by MOD’s Defence Logistics Organisation.
Gould continued to say that, “DVD is one of the largest defence vehicle shows in
Europe where the defence sector can see at first hand the latest products and developments in military, commercial and emergency vehicles. DVD is important for both MOD and industry as it represents a unique opportunity for exhibiting and demonstrating, both on and off road, industry’s latest military, specialist, commercial and emergency vehicles. It brings together all those involved in producing, procuring and providing logistics support to a vast array of vehicles that helps ensure our Armed Forces continue to have the very best vehicles available to them.
“The partnering contract demonstrates the innovative way MOD and industry are working together to produce new cost effective support solutions. Industry has greater flexibility to provide the required support in the most efficient way, ensuring our Armed Forces continue to have the best support available. The new arrangements are expected to produce some £29 million in savings, representing excellent value to British taxpayers.”
Now in its fifth year, DVD features a vast and diverse range of vehicles and support services, from emergency ‘blue light’ vehicles to the latest combat support vehicles used in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan.
Penman, exhibiting at DVD, recently won an order for 72 former British Army armoured Land Rovers, converted by Penman Engineering for the Iraqi Police. Penman has made the transition to left hand drive, provided refurbished armour and protection and an air-conditioned cab in just three months. The initial delivery of 17 vehicles was airlifted to Basra at the beginning of the month – the remaining 55 vehicles will follow over the next three months. Two of these vehicles were on display on their stand.