Web Page sponsored by MILLBROOK
Millbrook, based in Bedfordshire, UK, makes a significant contribution to the quality and performance of military vehicles worldwide. Its specialist expertise is focussed in two distinct areas: test programmes to help armed services and their suppliers ensure that their vehicles and systems work as the specification requires; and design and build work to upgrade new or existing vehicles, evaluate vehicle capability and investigate in-service failures. Complementing these is driver and service training and a hospitality business that allows customers to use selected areas of Millbrook’s remarkable facilities for demonstrations and exhibitions.
Tel: +44 (0) 1525 408408
www.millbrook.co.uk/military
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18 Dec 09. Brazilian Army signs €2.5bn Defence Vehicle Supply Contract. IVECO Defence Vehicles announces that on December 18, 2009 the Brazilian Army signed a contract for the supply of 2044 units of the base model of the new family of armoured personnel carriers (VBTPMR). The vehicles will replace the old models Urutu used today by the Brazilian armed forces. The contract is valued at 6bn Brazilian Reais (about €2.5bn) over 20 years and also includes logistic support. The manufacturing batch of 2044 units is planned to start in 2012, with completion in 2030. The production of models, including engines, will take place in Brazil, where Iveco LA supported by Iveco Defence Vehicles will prepare a defence dedicated unit including Research, Sales & marketing, Production, Quality and Aftersales organization. The local supply chain will involve more than 100 direct suppliers and some hundreds of indirect suppliers. The agreement was signed at a ceremony held at the Army Headquarters in Brasilia, attended by General Enzo Martins Peri, Commander of the Brazilian Army, General Fernando Sérgio Galvão, Chief of Army Staff, the President of Iveco Latin America, Marco Mazzù and the General Manager of Iveco Defence Vehicles, Pietro Borgo. The VBTP-MR project is part of the National Defence Strategy which includes the reorganization of domestic defence to ensure that the equipment needs of the Brazilian armed forces are supported by best-in-class technology.
23 Dec 09. GTD and Nexter Systems have signed a shareholder agreement under which a Spanish joint venture will be formed within the next few weeks. One of the main tasks of the new company will be to fulfil the contract for the Spanish “Vehiculo Blindado Ruedas 8×8” (VBR 8×8) programme to replace the existing BMR vehicle. Ibersystems de Defensa will be a Spanish limited liability company owned jointly by Nexter
Systems and GTD. Based in Barcelona, it will develop the Spanish variants, undertake final assembly of the local version of the VBCI and manage a network of suppliers throughout Spain and Portugal. The first phase of the Spanish VBR 8×8 programme involves the acquisition of 300 vehicles at a cost in excess of €1bn. This should be followed by a second acquisition phase. The first 300 vehicles will include 173 troop transports, 8 Command Posts and 119 cavalry fighting vehicles. The contract is due to be signed by the start of 2011 at the latest.
23 Dec 09. Independent tests further substantiate Zephyr SRV’s credentials. The latest phase of Creation’s in-house design, development, test and trials programme for its Zephyr SRV (Specific Requirements Vehicle) protected platform has provided further confirmation and conclusive evidence of the vehicle’s overall capability, particularly blast survivability performance. The most recent tests, undertaken for Creation by a leading independent test organisation, were strictly conducted, monitored and verified in accordance with international standards – and exceeded all expectations. More detailed information cannot be released. Creation Managing Director, Bill Davis says, “Design for survival – particularly blast – is about pre