Rheinmetall BAE Systems Lands £16 Million Deal for Fuchs/Fox Vehicle Maintenance
The collaborative enterprise Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) has secured a UK Ministry of Defence contract to enhance and maintain the British Army’s fleet of Fuchs/Fox CBRN reconnaissance vehicles and training simulators. The contract is valued at over £16m/€17.5m.
The Fuchs is a 6×6 armored vehicle equipped with integrated detection systems for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) hazards. Rheinmetall boasts extensive experience and diverse expertise in this advanced technology domain. Through ongoing technological advancements and performance improvements, global users of the CBRN Reconnaissance Fuchs/Fox can now access cutting-edge sensor technology. Recently awarded, this modernization contract sees the British MOD leveraging Rheinmetall’s knowledge and skills to ensure the future operational capability and efficiency of the UK CBRN Reconnaissance fleet.
RBSL will tackle equipment-related obsolescence challenges and upgrade the system with next-generation sensing technologies. Rheinmetall Landsysteme will utilize substantial technological support from its center of excellence for NBC systems technology located in Kassel.
The team will also assess safety hazards and implement a new support agreement that encompasses technical assistance, provision of spare parts and repairs, maintenance, training, and design services. Consequently, the British Army will benefit from Rheinmetall’s vast expertise in the field of NBC detection vehicles.
The operation will be led from RBSL’s facility in Telford, West Midlands, with the backing of a UK supply chain. This initiative aligns with the UK government’s objective to provide opportunities to SMEs and stimulate regional economies while safeguarding skilled positions in engineering and manufacturing.
RBSL employs a highly skilled workforce of over 450 individuals at various locations in the UK, including 250 engineers specializing in critical capabilities like weapon systems, survivability, and lethality. The RBSL team will leverage their expertise in vehicle integration technology to modernize and sustain the fleet.
Specialists from Rheinmetall Landsysteme will contribute essential expertise in NBC reconnaissance and detection technology.
The enhancements implemented under the contract will foster increased interoperability and uniformity with several of the UK’s NATO allies. The vehicles will also empower the British Army with an advanced capability to identify CBRN threats.
Minister for the Armed Forces, James Heappey, stated: “With the military landscape evolving swiftly, it is crucial to enhance our capabilities and continuously pursue innovation and adaptability.
“This remarkable contract award is a significant and positive step towards transforming our conventional equipment into agile and pioneering technologies.”
Peter Hardisty, Managing Director of RBSL, remarked: “RBSL eagerly anticipates applying our extensive knowledge and expertise in armored vehicles to the Fuchs programme. The contract safeguards vital engineering skills in the UK, presents an opportunity to harness new technology, and equips the British Army with enhanced capabilities.”
“This also represents a unique chance to collaborate with Rheinmetall – our majority stakeholder and Fuchs Design Authority – along with a variety of UK SMEs.”
The Fuchs/Fox Vehicle
The German government provided the British Army with 11 ex-German Army Fuchs vehicles in 1990 to assist ground operations during the First Gulf War.
Meanwhile, the Fuchs/Fox has been utilized by clients globally and has proven to be highly effective in numerous missions.
RBSL will now implement several capability enhancements in the British Army’s Fuchs vehicles, while also addressing obsolescence issues and delivering in-service support.
