£330m defence contract creates 125 skilled jobs
GENERAL Dynamics, the company that is building the Ajax light tank for the British Army, has been awarded a £330m contract to develop a new battlefield communication system.
The new contract will create 125 new jobs at General Dynamics facility at Oakdale, and secures 125 other jobs at the plant.
The company previously made the Army’s Bowman tactical communication system. This next generation tactical communication and information system is designed to evolve the Bowman capability into an open, modular system.
It will be used to plan, deploy, manage and monitor communications and information for the Army, and will allow users to integrate new radios, applications and other system components faster and with greater ease. The system will connect soldiers on the ground to their commanders, giving improved access to operational IT and be simpler to use.
Steve Rowbotham, chief operating officer of General Dynamics UK, said: “Having delivered and supported the Bowman tactical communication and information system for the past 15 years from our site in South Wales, this contract marks the next chapter in our history.
“We are delighted that we will continue to develop and grow our existing employee skills base, whilst providing the UK Armed Forces with a leading edge battlefield communication system.”
The contract is the initial phase of the MoD’s Morpheus programme, which will give all three services modernised command and control networks using the latest technology.
General Dynamics will implement a new architectural approach called Evolve to Open (EvO). The open system approach allows new technologies to be rapidly integrated to tackle emerging threats and enhance interoperability with allies.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said: “This £330m contact for the next generation of battlefield communications, supporting 250 high-skilled jobs, underlines the importance of Wales to our Armed Forces.
“Backed by a rising defence budget, last year MOD spent £870m with Welsh businesses helping to build a stronger economy and keep Britain safe.”
Brigadier Richard Spencer, head of the MoD’s battlefield and tactical communications and information system delivery team, said: “The Transition Partner contract is just the first of many procurement projects to deliver the MORPHEUS Evolve to Open baseline over the next few years.
“This first contract opens the door for numerous industry opportunities to contribute to the next generation of battlefield communications.”
General Dynamics UK opened its first facility in South Wales in 2001, after winning the contract to deliver the Bowman tactical communications system programme.
Since then, the business has continued to expand and invest in the area, and now has three facilities in Oakdale and Merthyr Tydfil, where the Ajax family of armoured vehicles will be built and tested.
Economy Secretary, Ken Skates said: “This is excellent news. General Dynamics is a Welsh Government anchor company and we have worked in partnership over many years to support their growth in South Wales.
“We have invested a significant amount in research and development projects at General Dynamics which enabled the Evolve to Open programme to help secure this £330m contract, creating 125 new jobs and safeguarding a further 125 in Oakdale.
“I look forward to visiting the General Dynamics site at Merthyr Tydfil next week.”