We’ve signed a teaming agreement with Patria to be the build partner for its armoured personnel carrier in the UK – as the UK Ministry of Defence announces plans for it to join British Army’s fleet.
The agreement, announced at DSEI, follows today’s confirmation that the UK Ministry of Defence has signed a technical arrangement to join the multinational Common Armoured Vehicle (CAVS) programme. The CAVS programme is encompassed of a growing number of nations across the Joint Expeditionary Force including Finland, Latvia, Sweden, Denmark and Germany.
The teaming agreement builds on the memorandum of understanding we signed earlier this year and paves the way for us to expand our footprint within the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport to satisfy the full UK build requirement for the 6×6 and support the British Army’s export ambition as part of the Land Industrial Strategy.
Tom Newman, CEO of Babcock’s Land Sector, said: “We welcome the UK Ministry of Defence’s decision to join the CAVS programme – with the 6×6 proven to be a highly capable troop carrier which has been backed by multiple armed forces across Europe.
“We are proud to be working with Patria as their official build partner on the 6×6, and as a strategic partner of the British Army, we are perfectly positioned to deliver a large fleet of formidable, proven armoured personnel carriers, backed by a comprehensive training and support package.”
Jussi Järvinen, Executive Vice President of Protected Mobility at Patria, added: “As a strategic partner to the British Army, Babcock is an experienced system integrator and platform builder with advanced production capabilities. Their skilled team is currently delivering major projects for the British Army.
“Our partnership brings clear benefits: the UK needs a proven ready-to-use vehicle platform, and the Patria 6×6, already operational in NATO countries, will be locally built and supported to meet British Army requirements.”
This announcement reinforces our contribution to the Defence Dividend. An independent economic report recently revealed our contributed £4.3 billion to UK GDP in FY2024, supporting 1 in every 550 UK jobs.