"We filled the vacancy the next day"
General Dynamics sees off BAE in tanks deal
General Dynamics has won a major contract to supply the Ministry of Defence (MoD) with tanks and armoured fighting vehicles (AFV), potentially creating thousands of opportunities for recruitment in the defence manufacturing industry.
The MoD said it has selected the US-based firm's ASCOD SV tracked vehicle as the winning design, with the company charged with providing both the Scout variant and the Common Base Platform for up to 580 SV vehicles.
Designed by the firm's UK engineering team, the ASCOD SV is said to have a 30-year life span and will provide significant military capabilities.
"The General Dynamics UK team won this competition to provide the British Army with its next generation of AFVs because it is the best vehicle for the British troops," said Dr Sandy Wilson, president and managing director of General Dynamics UK.
"We offered the best integrated solution, the best growth potential over the 30-year life of the vehicle, the best value for money for the British taxpayer and the best deal for the UK industrial base."
Describing the programme as "British to its bootstraps", General Dynamics was at pains to point out the deal would mean additional domestic jobs after beating off British rival BAE Systems.
General Dynamics claims its "British design by British engineers to the British Army" will safeguard or create 10,600 jobs within the defence recruitment sector.
The MoD said it has selected the US-based firm's ASCOD SV tracked vehicle as the winning design, with the company charged with providing both the Scout variant and the Common Base Platform for up to 580 SV vehicles.
Designed by the firm's UK engineering team, the ASCOD SV is said to have a 30-year life span and will provide significant military capabilities.
"The General Dynamics UK team won this competition to provide the British Army with its next generation of AFVs because it is the best vehicle for the British troops," said Dr Sandy Wilson, president and managing director of General Dynamics UK.
"We offered the best integrated solution, the best growth potential over the 30-year life of the vehicle, the best value for money for the British taxpayer and the best deal for the UK industrial base."
Describing the programme as "British to its bootstraps", General Dynamics was at pains to point out the deal would mean additional domestic jobs after beating off British rival BAE Systems.
General Dynamics claims its "British design by British engineers to the British Army" will safeguard or create 10,600 jobs within the defence recruitment sector.