General Dynamics places Foxhound order with Ricardo

Prime contractor for the delivery of Foxhound armoured vehicles to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), General Dynamics Land Systems-Force Protection Europe (GDLS-FPE), has placed an order with Ricardo for an additional 76 vehicles. The vehicles will be assembled by Ricardo at the dedicated Foxhound production line at the Ricardo special vehicle facility at Shoreham, Sussex, UK.

GDLS-FPE received the award from the UK MoD for additional vehicles in November 2012, and this order brings the total number of Foxhound vehicles ordered by the UK MoD to 376. The vehicle is already in use with British forces, including many deployed on active service in Afghanistan.

Dave Shemmans, CEO, Ricardo, said: ‘The Foxhound is exactly the right vehicle for British forces, providing what commanders on the ground in Afghanistan are describing as ‘an enormous leap forward’ in capability.

‘This highly impressive vehicle that has the potential to save many lives, has resulted from our very successful subcontract with prime contractor General Dynamics. Ricardo is proud to have assembled all of the Foxhounds ordered for British forces by the MoD.’

Mark Barge, director of manufacturing operations, Ricardo, added: ‘Production of the Foxhound is already well underway at our special vehicle production facility where we have commissioned a dedicated production line for this purpose.’

The Foxhound vehicle was specifically designed to provide greater protection for troops against the sustained threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in current operational theatres. The agile and versatile 4x4 vehicle is designed around a v-shaped hull, with a lighter weight than other protected vehicles, making it ideal for use in urban environments.