Second industry team announced for FRES integrator competition

General Dynamics UK has declared the names of its industry partners competing to bid for the role of vehicle integrator on Britain’s Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) armored vehicle program.

The company was one of several potential contenders who submitted a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) to the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) here at 11 a.m. Nov. 30 to integrate the next generation of armored vehicles scheduled to be in service with the British Army starting in 2012.

The team covers government-owned vehicle maintenance and repair company ABRO, AgustaWestland, CSC Computer Sciences, Marshall Specialist Vehicles, Millbrook Proving Ground, automotive industry company Ricardo and Thales UK.

BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin and Nexter also confirmed they had responded to the information request from the MOD. Others also are believed to have responded.

BAE named its partners in mid-November. The team includes Cranfield University, GE Aviation, QinetiQ, SAIC and Selex Sensors & Airborne Systems.

The MOD said it intends to “select one or more integrator to go forward to the next stage of the competition by March 2008.”

The integrator is expected to customize, manufacture and support the FRES vehicles. The role is likely the largest element of the armored vehicle program.

The British government announced Nov. 29 that a competition to name the supplier of the eight-wheeled utility vehicle for the first phase of the FRES program has been extended into next year.

The MOD said it had made its technical choice but wanted to clarify commercial issues with the contenders before naming the winner. The ARTEC Boxer, General Dynamics Piranha and Nexter VBCI have been battling for the contract.

Work on selecting a tracked reconnaissance vehicle as the first part of the specialist vehicle element of FRES is expected to be formally launched early next year.

Source: A. Chuter - DefenceNews

Related Defence Supplier Guidance

• Programme Overview: UK MOD Future Rapid Effect System (FRES)

To find out how your company can identify and secure procurement opportunities with the UK MOD and European defence prime contractors, contact Jeffrey Strategic.