JCB has won a contract to supply 236 construction vechicles to the British Army, the largest order of diggers for the Armed Forces in over 25 years.
ALC, a joint venture between Amey plc and Babcock International Group plc, which is the service provider to the Ministry of Defence for plant and mechanical handling equipment, awarded the contract for 138 4CX backhoe loaders and 98 436eHT wheel loading shovels.
The backhoe loaders are manufactured at JCB’s World Headquarters in Rochester, and the wheeled loading shovels at JCB Earthmovers, in Cheadle, Staffordshire.
JCB CEO Alan Blake said, “JCB has now become the primary supplier of plant and mechanical handling equipment to the British Army. As a British company it is fantastic that we have been awarded the opportunity to support our armed forces in this way and help ensure they are successful on operations, training and in their many other tasks around the world.”
The company was selected after extensive user trials, during which the compatibility with other machines already used by the Army were a key deciding factor.
The machines will feature minor enhancements, such as NATO green livery, personal weapons stowage inside the cab, convoy lighting and increased wading ability.
Michael Leeming, Director JCB Government & Defence, said, “This order signifies the largest replacement order from ALC for many years and now gives JCB a significant percentage of the plant and logistics handling equipment in use with the British Army.”
The order is second only to JCB’s largest ever military order for $230 from the United States military in 2005, for up to 800 High Mobility Engineer Excavators.
