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19th June 2008
New Ridgback vehicle provides added protection for troops in
urban conflict zones
Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are set to benefit from a
new fleet of heavily armoured vehicles for use in urban
environments.
Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan will soon have access to 157
new protected patrol vehicles, to be called Ridgback. The new
heavily armoured vehicles will help to protect troops from
roadside bombs and landmines, and represent a further £150m MoD
investment in the provision of protected patrol vehicles to UK
forces, and will be unveiled for the first time at this year’s
DVD.
“Ridgback offers troops first rate protection with improved
manoeuvrability,” says Defence Secretary, Des Browne. “The
introduction of the Ridgback fleet adds to the variety of
vehicles available to commanders for operations. Vehicles such
as Mastiff and Bulldog have been a huge success and have saved
lives on numerous occasions. Providing a wide range of vehicles
enables commanders to make strategic decisions as to the best
suited vehicle for the terrain, ensuring the appropriate level
of agility and protection.”
The new Ridgback is a Cougar 4x4, a smaller, more agile version
of the Mastiff, which currently operates in urban fringe and
rural environments. The similarity between the vehicles will
allow troops to benefit from the support and training already in
place for Mastiff, ensuring a smooth integration with patrol
vehicles currently in the field.
The MoD has agreed for the purchase of 157 Cougar 4X4 vehicles
from American company Force Protection Inc, who will be on stand
number SP10 at DVD. The first vehicles to arrive in the UK are
now being fitted with additional protection, weapons,
communications systems and specialist electronic
counter-measures equipment. The project is being managed by the
Specialist and Utility Vehicles Integrated Project Team (SUV IPT),
the founding IPT of DVD. Once the transformation is complete,
the new Ridgback fleet will be transported to Afghanistan for
pre-deployment training.
Members of the SUV IPT responsible for the delivery of Ridgback
will be at DVD on 25th and 26th June at Millbrook. Visitors
wishing to attend DVD must pre-register by visiting
www.theevent.co.uk. |
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