15 Jun 16. UK MoD Makes MRV(P) Selection. Unconfirmed reports reached
Eurosatory today that the UK MoD had made its selection for the Multi-Role Vehicle (Protected) Programme MRV(P). The MRV(P) Requirement is broken down into three Requirements:
Category 1
Is the 4×4 variants which will be fulfilled by an FMS funded contract with Oshkosh for a first batch of approximately 750 JLTV base vehicles believed to be worth approx. $1.88bn or $250,000 per vehicle ex-works. The vehicles will be shipped to the UK in base form to a facility, yet to be chosen by Oshkosh, where they will be equipped with added electronic ECCM systems, Jammers and EW equipment along with any required upgrades to make them UK Roadworthy. It is believed they will be left hand drive. Millbrook is the likely choice for Trials of the vehicle.
The first order for JLTV was announced on 23 March 2016 with the U.S. Army ordering 657 JLTVs, along with kits and support. The $243m order includes vehicles for the Army and Marines. According to Oshkosh, “The vehicles, trailers, and installed kits for this order will be delivered by first quarter FY2018.”[55] Overall JLTV requirements remain at 5,500 for the US Marines and 49,099 for the Army. In April 2016 it was disclosed that JLTV’s Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for both services would be delayed as a result of earlier protests and associated issues. Initial USMC operating capability will be delayed by about one year to the first quarter of fiscal 2020, with 69 JLTVs for a Marine infantry battalion, with procurement by the Marines complete by FY 2022. The Army anticipates a six-month delay, reaching IOC in mid-2019. Army procurement will last until approximately 2040. (Source: Wikipedia)
The Cat 1 vehicles will be procured in 3 variants, Logistics, Command and Control and Liaison.
Category 2
Is the Requirement for the Ambulance and Personnel Carrier vehicles. 12 contenders bid for the Programme and a down-select of five companies was made on June 9th which included BAE Systems with the Penman/Creation 6×6 vehicle, Thales with Bushmaster, Rheinmetall with the Survivor ‘R’ vehicle which has a chassis common to the MAN Support Vehicle and General Dynamics European Land Systems with the Eagle 5 6×6 vehicle. The fifth choice is believed to be either KMW with the Dingo or Mercedes with the Unimog. Other contenders included Renault with a team which included Morgan Specialist materials and Ricardo, Otokar and Nexter.
It is understood that the number of vehicles in this category is around 80.
Category 3
Is the Recovery Variant which is believed to have been shelved and may be met by a one off-the-shelf vehicle. EKA was a contender for this Requirement.
The contract is awaiting Ministerial Approval and may be announced formally at the Farnborough Airshow.
14 Jun 16. Supacat enters exclusive discussions with TINEX as Preferred Partner to support Norwegian industrial co-operation on £23m NDMA vehicle contract. UK high-mobility vehicle specialist Supacat is in exclusive discussions with TINEX with a view to appointing TINEX as Preferred Partner to provide primary support for Supacat’s industrial supplier co-operation requirements in Norway. Last year Supacat signed a £23m contract with The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) for a new fleet of Supacat HMT Extenda vehicles.
The agreed intention is that TINEX, an Oslo–based full-service engineering company, which specialises in representing international companies in Defence and Security, would be the single point of contact for Supacat in Norway in supporting the programme. TINEX would also be responsible for integrating a number of systems onto the rolling chassis, which will be built by Supacat at its Devon, UK, facility. The first production vehicle will be delivered in late 2016 followed by the full fleet delivery from 2017 to 2019.
This builds on Supacat and TINEX’s existing two-year relationship, in which TINEX has fulfilled work packages for