Piranha is Army’s (Provisional) New Armoured Vehicle
The Ministry of Defence said on the 8th May that it had provisionally chosen the General Dynamics Piranha as the new armoured vehicle to equip the future British Army.
Future Rapid Effect System/ FRES
The Piranha – along with the Boxer and VBC1 designs – was competing in the Army’s Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) programme, through which up to 3,000 new vehicles will be acquired.
Baroness Taylor, Minister for Defence Procurement, described the FRES programme as “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 and I look forward to working with General Dynamics UK Ltd during the next stage of the FRES Utility Vehicle programme”, she said.
"FRES is a long term programme to be delivered in stages to meet the Army's needs over the next thirty years. Today marks an important milestone."
The Head of the British Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, added: "The provisional selection of PIRANHA 5 as the FRES Utility Vehicle design heralds the start of a new era for the Army in terms of capability.”
“It maintains the progress of the FRES programme which is at the heart of the British Army's equipment programme and is my highest priority after support to operations. This will form the backbone of the Army's future armoured vehicle requirements.
"Whilst our Protected Personnel Vehicles such as MASTIFF are a very successful addition to meet specific operational requirements in both Iraq and Afghanistan, it is the FRES medium weight capability which will allow the Army to conduct a considerably wider range of operations in an uncertain and changing world.
“I am therefore delighted that we are maintaining progress on this vital programme."
The FRES Programme will provide replacements for the British Army’s fleet of CVR(T), FV 430 and Saxon vehicles.
Utility, Specialist Vehicles
Its delivery will occur in phases, initially introducing new Utility Vehicles and, subsequently, Specialist Vehicles – taking in Reconnaissance, Medium Armour, Manoeuvre Support and Basic Capability-geared types.
FRES stands as the largest programme in British Army history.
Source – Armed Forces International’s Political Correspondent
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