U.K. at Last Bites on Piranha

[ROCK45]

I found article and thought I would post it.


U.K. at Last Bites on Piranha
Douglas Barrie/Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
May 9, 2008


LONDON – The British government May 8 finally confirmed its selection of the General Dynamics Piranha 5 to meet the utility vehicle element of its multibillion dollar Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) program.

General Dynamics was competing with Nexter and Artec. The French government and industrialists have in recent weeks pushed to persuade the U.K. to drop its preference for the Piranha and opt for a VBCI-based design.

Ann Taylor, the minister for defense equipment and support, said in a written statement: “The FRES vehicle program will be a major investment in the future of our armed forces. I am pleased to announce the provisional selection of Piranha 5 as the preferred design for the FRES Utility Vehicle ... FRES is a long-term program to be delivered in stages to meet the army’s needs over the next 30 years. Today marks an important milestone.”

The FRES program is intended to cover five vehicle families: utility, reconnaissance, medium armor, maneuver support, and basic capability utility.

Link
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/gene...08.xml&headline=U.K. at Last Bites on Piranha

 

[Catalan]

General Dynamic's Pirahna V is also competing against the VCBI and Patria's AMV for Spain's BMR/BMR2 (6x6 armored fighting vehicle), and given it's 'victory' in the FRES competition and the fact that Santa Bárbara Sistemas is now owned by General Dynamics, I think we can expect the Pirahna V to also enter service with the Ejército de Tierra. I'm happy, because I think it's the correct choice.

 

[Super Nimrod]

I would never be surprised if the planned original number of FRES is reduced somewhat. There has been so much cash spent on Mastiff (250 will be ordered) and the various Bulldog upgrades of FV432 that have proven effective that the need for FRES for some roles must have declined significantly.

 

[riksavage]

Totally agree, with Mastiff, Ridgeback and now rumours of 20 Bushmasters ordered the need for so many general purpose FRES versions will be reduced.

The REME techs life will become a nightmare with all these different types of vehicles in Iraq and Afghanistan, including, but not limited to:

Warrior, Bulldog, Mastiff, Ridgeback, Bushmaster and Vector.

IMHO the MOD should continue buying Mastiff / Ridgebacks (common chassis / parts) and focus its limited financial resources on the FRES recce version to replace CVRT