26 June 2008
Babcock International Group PLC
£20 million contract for MoD Patrol Vehicles
More Jackals ordered
Babcock International Group PLC has received an order worth around £20 million from the UK Ministry of Defence for a further 72 Jackal 4x4 patrol vehicles. The news comes as the 100th Jackal vehicle being built by Babcock under the original contract is completed.
The original contract, awarded by the Specialist and Utility Vehicles (SUV) IPT was to supply 130 vehicles for an urgent operational requirement in Iraq and Afghanistan. The mobility weapon-mounted installation kit (MWMIK) Jackal vehicles are being produced by Babcock to an intense production schedule of one per day. The first vehicles are already operational in Afghanistan.
Delivery of the additional 72 Jackal vehicles will be completed by the end of the year.
Peter Rogers, Chief Executive of Babcock, commented:
'We are delighted to receive this contract from the MoD, building on the operational success of the vehicles and the rapid production schedule we have been able to achieve to date.'
Contact:
Babcock International Group PLC |
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Peter Rogers, Group Chief Executive |
020 7291 5000 |
Terri Wright, Head of Investor Relations |
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FD: |
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Andrew Lorenz |
020 7269 7291 |
Sophie Kernon |
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Notes to Editors:
1. The Jackal delivers a new level of power to the WMIK fleet with more firepower, and increased mobility, protection and agility.
2. With a 5.9 litre engine it can maintain off-road speeds of up to 80km/h and can operate across a wide variety of terrains in extreme environments, with air suspension increasing its versatility in such conditions. Its agility and mobility give it considerable added protection, in addition to a fully integrated protection system and reinforced armour plating. It can be fitted with a range of firepower, including combinations of .50 calibre machine guns, Heckler & Koch 40mm automatic grenade launchers and general purpose machine guns, and carry up to three soldiers with individual weapons.
3. The vehicles are being produced by Babcock, as the prime contractor, at its Devonport facilities, based on a design from Supacat Ltd.
4. The chassis frame is manufactured by Universal Engineering, the engine by Cummings, and transmission by Allison, with an armour package from Jankel.