The Army’s first fully-digital reconnaissance vehicles are being built at General Dynamics in Merthyr Tydfil.
The UK Government Minister for Wales, Kevin Foster MP, visited Merthyr Tydfil to see the Ajax reconnaissance vehicles being built by General Dynamics. The Armoured Fighting Vehicles will provide reliability, survivability, and protection.
The 589 Ajax vehicles will replace the current CVR(T) fleet which has been in use since 1972, with the first being delivered this year. The Merthyr Tydfil site will undertake assembly, integration, and tests and engineering tasks are to be performed at the General Dynamics Armoured Fighting Vehicle Centre of Excellence in Oakdale.
Kevin Foster MP said: “UK Defence spent £960m with Welsh industry last year supporting around 6,300 private sector jobs. This investment in businesses such as General Dynamics makes Wales one of the most competitive places in the world from which to innovate, build business and deliver security.”
General Dynamics UK currently has 70 graduates and apprentices in its workforce, with a further intake in September. In addition, the company engages actively with local primary and secondary schools, encouraging interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers.
The company has also delivered the Cougar-based Mastiff, Ridgback and Wolfhound fleet and Foxhound vehicles for the British Army, as well as a wealth of avionics systems for aircraft and helicopters, including the Eurofighter Typhoon. Deliveries of the new Ajax vehicles will continue to 2024, providing high-end reconnaissance systems to the British Army with the £4.5billion contract for the vehicles awarded to General Dynamics Land Systems with work also being undertaken by 230 UK businesses.
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