Military vehicles contracts result in jobs boost

About 100 jobs are to be created after two Midlands firms won contracts to help to build the next generation of military vehicles designed to increase protection for British troops in war zones. Half the jobs will be created at Coventry-based NP Aerospace and its suppliers after the firm, as part of its joint venture with US company Force Protection, was handed the contract to build Wolfhound, a six-wheeled version of the Mastiff armoured patrol vehicle.

The £90 million Wolfhound contract will see the joint venture between NP Aerospace and Force Protection, called Integrated Survivability Technologies, deliver more than 90 heavy tactical support vehicles for the Ministry of Defence. The contract is worth more than £30 million for NP Aerospace. The Wolfhound will provide a highly protected load-carrying vehicle for tasks such as carrying ammunition, food and water, moving bulky material for use in building forward bases or as a gun tractor for the Royal Artillery’s 105 Light Gun.

Mark Robertshaw, chief executive officer of Morgan Crucible, which owns NP Aerospace, said: “This is a further exciting development for the NP Aerospace business, securing a long-term strategic relationship with Force Protection and providing our customer with a truly integrated product offering. I am confident that this contract, which will provide NP Aerospace itself with revenues of more than £30 million, will be the start of a very successful future for our joint venture.”

The other jobs are set to be created in Worcestershire, after Malvern-based engineering firm Dytecna won the contract to carry out vehicle modifications and install electronic and communication systems on the new all-terrain Husky support vehicle. Dytecna is working with Navistar Defense, a US vehicle manufacturer based in Chicago. The deal will see Dytecna open a new manufacturing facility in Tewkesbury and expand its engineering design and production teams at the current Malvern site.

Dytecna business development director Keith Mowbary said: “In these difficult economic times, it is both encouraging and rewarding to announce a success that will not only see the business consolidate and retain existing staff levels but also create up to 50 new jobs over the next 12 months.