30 May 02. The Defence Vehicle Dynamics Exhibition, Europe’s largest Military Motor Show, ended yesterday with an accolade from Government Ministers, the organisers, visitors and exhibitors alike.
Larger than last year, DVD 2002 attracted over 50 international companies from UK military vehicle Alvis thru US truck makers Oshkosh and Stewart & Stevenson to car makers Rover and Subaru.
In spite of the weather the show attracted many thousands of visitors from the DPA, industry, overseas attaches and the press alike.
UK Minister of Defence Procurement Lord Bach told BATTLESPACE in an exclusive interview, “I spent the morning meeting with industry representatives from large and small companies, seeing a superb range of products. DVD gives industry a chance to demonstrate to its main customer, the DPA and its second customer, the soldier, a hands on ‘touch, feel and drive’ approach to its products. There is a great atmosphere here; the live driving circuit is a unique approach to customer relations which brings the whole event alive. The organisers of DVT should be congratulated for putting on such an excellent event, and I will strongly recommend that this event be staged on a regular basis.”
Julian Nettlefold of BATTLESPACE said, “We were delighted to be selected as the supporting publication for DVD. The show was a resounding success and clearly demonstrated the need for such an event to complement other exhibitions. DVD provides industry with a vital mobility capability which has long been lacking since the demise of BAEE. Given the importance of soldiers having the opportunity to take a hands-on approach to new vehicles, many potential problems can be ironed out at DVD and fed into the evaluation process.”
DVD clearly demonstrated the growing requirements for new military vehicle programmes in the UK in particular. We were briefed on the Future Cargo System, FCLV, systems carriers for ASTOR, Cormorant and Falcon and many light vehicle and White Fleet requirements.”
“BATTLESPACE has confirmed to the DLO and Automotive PR that it will support DVD through the publication of its new BATTLESPACE VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES bi-annual supplement and web-based monthly news service which will be published to coincide with future DVD events. BATTLESPACE will publish a DVD Review in its first issue of BATTLESPACE VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES (BVT) in August 02 issue. BVT is free to all existing subscribers.