DSG WELCOMES ANNOUNCEMENT OF MOD’s FUTURE RAPID EFFECT SYSTEM

22/03/2010

The Defence Support Group (DSG) welcomes today’s announcement by the Secretary of State for Defence when he confirmed the outcome of the bids to secure the contract for the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) programme. The company securing preferred bidder status and the initial demonstration phase of contract worth around £200m is General Dynamics (GD) UK with whom DSG signed a high-level agreement on the FRES Specialist Vehicle (SV) programme last month.

The Memorandum of Understanding signed by GD UK and DSG provides for significant levels of work taking place at DSG's Donnington site and it becomes the basis for a long-term relationship in support of the UK's defence industrial capabilities. This agreement builds on the strong working relationship between DSG and GD UK and is excellent news for DSG as it potentially secures a significant amount of work for the future.

Welcoming today’s announcement DSG’s Chief Executive, Archie Hughes said; “The decision to begin work on this vital piece of military equipment is an important one, which helps secure workloads for the employees at our Donnington site in the West Midlands. We have a long and highly regarded heritage of supporting the UK’s Armed Forces and this announcement today provides a major boost to our employees who all take great pride in supporting our service men and women both at home and overseas.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. DSG launched on 1 April 2008 as a new MOD Trading Fund with the primary focus of providing expert in-house maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade services for the through life support of the key land and air based platforms and equipment of the UK Armed Forces.

2. It draws together many unique capabilities that have been developed over several decades for the direct benefit of troops and their equipment at both home and abroad. DSG turnover is in excess of £200m, with a workforce of around 3800 strategically located throughout the UK.

3. DSG’s Head Office is located in Andover and provides strategic direction to the main sites in Bovington, Catterick, Colchester, Donnington, Sealand, St Athan, Stafford, Stirling, Telford and Warminster. Smaller support sites located in Aldershot, Bicester, Kinnegar and Sennybridge further enhances DSG’s geographic coverage. Small support teams are also permanently embedded in other UK military sites as well as established in support of operations in Afghanistan at Camp Bastion.

4. For further information about DSG or to arrange an interview with Archie Hughes, please contact Allan Robertson, in the DSG press office:
Office hours: 01446 755202
Out of hours: 07710 789853
Visit: www.dsg.mod.uk
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