MAN ERF SELECTED AS PREFERRED BIDDER FOR UK MoD SUPPORT VEHICLE CONTRACT
12 Oct 04. The whole MAN organisation is delighted that the Ministry of Defence has selected MAN ERF UK Ltd as the Preferred Bidder for the Support Vehicle programme.
It marks an important milestone in the extensive and continued investment MAN has made in the UK, in particular in the last 5 years where significant inward investment has been made in the UK with the acquisition of ERF and the development of the MAN ERF branch network.
MAN has a worldwide reputation for the development and supply of highly reliable and capable military vehicles and we are very honoured to be selected to supply the British Armed Forces.
Des Evans, CEO of MAN ERF stated “The whole company, together with our tight knit sub-contractor team is looking forward to pursuing a true partnership with UK MoD to optimise the operational capability and cost benefits of MAN vehicles.
Håkan Samuelsson, Chairman of MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG said “I am particularly excited about this contract because I know that the British Armed Forces will benefit from not only the most robust and reliable high-quality vehicles but also from the market leading, flexible and comprehensive support capability that has been built up in UK, across Europe and the rest of the World.
“Additionally the UK Armed Forces will benefit from the most advanced military logistic vehicle fleet in the World, which will smooth the transition to a more electronically oriented battlefield and peacetime environment.”
The deal with MAN ERF, who has been chosen as Preferred Bidder for the contract, means Britain’s Armed Forces will get an advanced truck and recovery vehicle fleet which will be assembled at sites across the UK. (See BATTLESPACE ALERT Vol.6 ISSUE 18, October 12th 2004, MAN ERF SELECTED AS PREFERRED BIDDER FOR UK MoD SUPPORT VEHICLE CONTRACT).
The project, which is consistent with the Government’s Defence Industrial Policy, will see our Armed Forces get over 5,000 modern, versatile and robust support vehicles from 2007, with an option to buy thousands more under consideration. The vehicles will be capable of transporting large quantities of bulk equipment to our front-line troops wherever they are operating in the world.
Lord Bach, Minister for Defence Procurement said: “I am delighted to announce the selection of MAN ERF as Preferred Bidder for this important contract. It will give our Forces one of the most advanced support vehicle fleets in the world, creating hundreds of jobs across the country while ensuring the British taxpayer gets the best possible value for money. It is good news for our Armed Forces and good news for the UK.”
“These trucks are the workhorses of our ground troops and they will bring out front line forces a much improved capability for transporting vital supplies while on deployed operations. They are far more capable than their predecessors and will have improved cross country capabilities and the ability to be fitted with blast proof armour.”
The new fleet will consist of a mix of cargo and recovery vehicles. They will replace the MOD’s tri-service fleet of 4, 8 and 14 tonne cargo vehicles and recovery trucks.
Lord Bach UK Minister of Defence Procurement (MIN(DP) said, “I am delighted to have this opportunity to visit East Anglia in order to announce the selection of MAN ERF UK Limited as the Preferred Bidder for the Support Vehicle contract, the biggest military truck procurement for more than 25 years.
The vehicle offered by MAN and their subcontractors, amongst whom is Marshall Specialist Vehicles, will give our Forces one of the most advanced support vehicle fleets in the world, while ensuring the British taxpayer gets the best possible value for money and creating hundreds of jobs throughout the UK in the automotive industry. It was an impressive bid from MAN and their team which is good news for our Armed Forces and good news for the UK crea