MoD to buy £46m new patrol vehicles
The Ministry of Defence has announced a multimillion-pound contract to buy 51 new light patrol vehicles for soldiers in Afghanistan.
Defence minister Philip Dunne announced the £46 million deal for the extra Foxhound vehicles during a visit to the Telford company that makes them.
The Foxhound replaced the Army's Snatch Land Rover, which proved highly vulnerable to roadside bombs, and has enhancements including a V-shaped hull to give protection against the blasts which have been a common tactic of Taliban fighters in Afghanistan.
The Army's most agile protected vehicle, it uses cutting-edge Formula 1 technology to provide unparalleled protection for its weight and class.
It can reach speeds of up to 80mph and drive away from an improvised explosive device (IED) strike on just three wheels, while its engine is so advanced it can be changed in 30 minutes and put back on the road.
The first Foxhounds were deployed to Afghanistan earlier this year and are now being used by soldiers who are mentoring and partnering with the Afghan National Security Forces.
Mr Dunne announced details of the new contract during a visit to General Dynamics Land Systems: Force Protection Europe's spares facility, which provides parts for the Foxhound vehicle.
During the visit, Mr Dunne and Major Chris Thoms, requirements manager for protected mobility at the MoD, met with staff who are also providing logistical support to the Army in Afghanistan.
Mr Dunne said: "The work being done by staff here in Telford is ensuring the vehicles can stay on the road and helping our soldiers do the vital job of engaging with Afghan forces and protecting the local population.
"Balancing the MoD's budget means we can now confidently invest in equipment like Foxhound, which has the flexibility and adaptability to operate in a wide variety of environments, providing capability for the Army well into the future. This investment shows the MoD playing its part in delivering growth and sustaining jobs in the West Midlands industrial base."
