British Tactical Truck Order Rises to GBP 1.35B

MAN SX, up-armored A deal announced on June 29, 2006 by UK Defence Procurement Minister Lord Drayson will add more trucks to Britain’s program to replace its Armed Forces’ tri-service fleet of 4-tonne, 8-tonne, and 14-tonne cargo and recovery trucks. The UK Ministry of Defense release notes that it is exercising an option for 2,077 more vehicles, extending the GBP 1.1 Billion contract it placed with MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG subsidiary MAN ERF UK Ltd by about GBP 250 million. In July 2006, the British Ministry of Defence placed the follow-on order even before the vehicles in the main order, which were undergoing field trials, had been delivered. This update notes additional details that have emerged re: the trucks, and progress with deliveries as the UK prepares to deploy them abroad… MAN 15t truck Placing a follow-on order before the first order’s deliveries have begun is generally a sign of either excellent performance and high confidence, or buyer desperation. In this case, it’s likely to be the former. The new vehicles will begin arriving into service in 2007, and are designed for quick up-armoring against minor land mine blasts and small arms attack on missions where such equipment is considered necessary. […]