PM announces new jobs and investment for Wales

Posted on 24 Jul 2015 by Jonny Williamson
SCOUT SV pre-production prototype, a PMRS variant, demonstrates its mobility during roll-out in Seville, Spain - June 2014

Prime Minister David Cameron has announced a £390 million contract to support armoured fighting vehicles, bringing 250 highly-skilled jobs to Wales.

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on the eve of the NATO Wales Summit last year, he has announced a new £390m contract with General Dynamics to support the armoured fighting vehicles.

David Cameron Prime Minister headshot 640x300
David Cameron Prime Minister headshot 640×300

The contract will extend the current in-service support contract for the Scout Specialist Vehicles (SV) to 2024, delivering onshore technical engineering and maintenance from a site in South Wales.

As a result, General Dynamics UK has taken the decision to bring assembly, integration and testing for the vehicles – previously carried out overseas – to Wales.

Commented, Cameron said: “Today’s decision by General Dynamics to bring the assembly of these world class armoured vehicles to South Wales is to the credit of the skills and expertise in the local area.

“The 250 additional new skilled jobs at General Dynamics will build on those already safeguarded by the decision to purchase 589 Scout vehicles for our armed forces, ensuring our servicemen and women have the very best equipment to keep us safe.”

The 589 new armoured fighting SV vehicles will reportedly be the ‘eyes and ears’ of the British Army on the battlefields of the future.

The first SCOUT SV pre-production prototype, a Protected Mobility Recce Support (PMRS) variant
The first SCOUT SV pre-production prototype, a Protected Mobility Recce Support (PMRS) variant.

Designed by the Oakdale, South Wales-based General Dynamics UK, the new vehicle will give the army enhanced intelligence; surveillance; protection; target acquisition, and reconnaissance capabilities, and it will be able to defend itself via 40mm cannon.

As the army’s first fully digitised armoured fighting vehicle, the Scout will be effective in even the most difficult terrains around the world.

Welcoming the Scout announcement, Secretary of State for Wales, Stephen Crabb commented: “This is an enormous vote of confidence in the Welsh workforce and will provide a huge jobs boost for Merthyr Tydfil.

“The Welsh manufacturing sector is going from strength to strength and I am delighted that we have been able to work with General Dynamics to make this deal happen.”