Engineering news
General Dynamics Land Systems-UK has inaugurated its new armoured fighting vehicle assembly, integration and testing facility at Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales.
The facility, which will undergo significant refurbishment through 2016 and be fully operational in 2017, will support the delivery of AJAX vehicles to the British Army.
The site will create 250 new jobs, while the entire AJAX programme directly supports approximately 2,800 jobs across the UK at more than 210 UK-based companies.
Philip Dunne, minister for defence procurement, said: “The opening of this new facility is a major development for both Merthyr Tydfil and the British Army. It is another reminder of the importance of defence investment right across the UK: the AJAX programme alone is sustaining 2,800 jobs across the country, 550 of which are here in Wales.
“This new facility, like the next generation vehicle it will produce, is more evidence of our £178 billion commitment to provide our Armed Forces with the equipment they need. Thanks to the close partnership between the UK Government and industry, this site will spring back in to life as a significant centre of employment and bring in valuable skills with a lasting legacy for the entire region.”
Kevin Connell, vice-president of General Dynamics Land Systems-UK, added: “I’d like to thank the UK Government, Welsh government, local council and community for its support as we establish a facility that we can all be proud of, which will lead the way in the delivery of a cutting-edge, fully-digitised fleet of vehicles for the British Army.”
General Dynamics Land Systems-UK was awarded a £3.5 billion Ministry of Defence contract to deliver 589 AJAX vehicles – previously known as SCOUT SV.