Military communications contract secures 140 jobs in Wales

General Dynamics UK secures MoD contracts worth £364 million

The Ministry of Defence has awarded two five-year contracts to General Dynamics UK (GDUK) to provide design, engineering and logistic support for the Bowman radio system that is used by personnel across the army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

The work will sustain the jobs of 140 engineers at GDUK’s site in Blackwood near Newport in South Wales with further roles being secured in the company’s wider supply chain. 

The MoD said: "The contract will see improved management of the radios and repair services and allow competition within the supply chain to be opened up, which is expected to deliver better value for money for the taxpayer."

Bowman radios enable personnel on land, at sea and in the air to communicate on operations around the world. The radios use an encrypted frequency to share intelligence and increase situational awareness and have seen extensive service in Afghanistan by troops on patrol, on Royal Navy ships during relief efforts in the Philippines, and by the Royal Air Force when providing air support to land operations.