Merthyr in running to build new army infantry vehicle

A new armoured car for the British Army could be built in Merthyr Tydfil – adding to the nearly 600 Ajax family light tanks that are already being made there.

General Dynamics, the company that is building the Ajax family, is this week showcasing its Piranha 5 vehicle at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI), the world’s biggest arms fair that is taking place in London’s Docklands this week.

Piranha 5 is being proposed as a contender for the British Army’s Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV) programme which is expected to provide mobility for the Army’s new strike brigades.

It is described as “a highly mobile and protected platform with a payload of over 13 tonnes”, and has already been selected by Denmark and Spain for the modernisation of their armed forces.

Kevin Connell, vice-president of General Dynamics Land Systems–UK, said: “The Piranha family of vehicles are highly reliable and in active service with Armed Forces worldwide.

“We can deliver Piranha 5 vehicles quickly to the British Army to meet the planned initial operating capability for the MIV programme from an existing production line, before transferring production to our Merthyr Tydfil facility in South Wales, creating significant employment right across our extensive UK supply chain.

“Piranha 5 is the best value for money solution to the British Army’s MIV requirement, supporting British industry and jobs.”

The MIV programme was announced in the 2015 Strategic Defence Review.

Although it is still in pre-concept design phase, the MoD is looking to buy an off the shelf design with a minimum number of UK-built subsystems such as a remote weapons system, communications, battle management system and seating.

The vehicle will equip the mechanised infantry elements in the new strike brigades and the MoD is expected to buy between 300 and 350 with an initial operating capability in 2023.

As well as Piranha, a number of vehicles already in service around the world have been mentioned as possible candidates, including STK’s Terrex and the German-Dutch Boxer built by Rheinmetall MAN.

However, if Piranha is selected General Dynamics says it will base at least some of the production in Merthyr Tydfil, supplementing the Ajax production already underway there.

If the MoD chooses the Piranha, the Army’s strike brigades will be equipped with a full range of General Dynamics vehicles, most of them made in Merthyr Tydfil.

One battalion-sized regiment in each brigade will be equipped with Ajax vehicles in the armoured reconnaissance role, and another with Ajax in the medium armour role.

Two mechanised infantry battalions will be equipped with Piranha, and other Ajax variants could equip the brigade’s engineer, logistic and medical units.