The British Army’s equipment, including tanks and armoured vehicles, is set to receive top-notch maintenance and spare parts thanks to a five-year £1.6 billion contract extension with Babcock, a British defence firm. This deal will not only ensure the Army’s vital assets, such as Challenger 2 tanks and Trojan armoured vehicles, remain combat-ready but also support 1,600 highly skilled jobs across the UK.
The Service Provision and Transformation Contract will provide preventative maintenance, emergency repairs, and spare parts management, as well as digital transformation to improve fleet management efficiency. This means more vehicles and equipment will be primed for soldiers to use, boosting national security and renewing Britain’s economy.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP emphasized the importance of this investment, stating that defence is an engine for growth, supporting businesses of all sizes and sustaining good, well-paid jobs across Britain. He also highlighted the critical importance of military readiness in today’s uncertain global landscape.
Babcock’s Chief Executive Officer, David Lockwood, noted that this contract extension ensures the company continues to provide the British Army with the necessary tools to do its job. The deal will also support approximately 6,000 UK businesses throughout the wider supply chain and provide valuable training and development opportunities for 200 apprentices.
The MOD Director Land Environment, Major General Lizzie Faithfull-Davies CBE, expressed her delight in renewing the relationship with Babcock, stating that the amended contract will provide even better support to the Army’s in-Service platforms.
This investment comes ahead of the Defence Industrial Strategy, which aims to bolster UK industry and provide more opportunities for defence to drive economic growth. It also follows a commitment to launch a new hub to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in accessing the defence supply chain.
