RBSL to upgrade and sustain UK Fuchs fleet
The importance of counter-CBRN capabilities for the UK has been underlined by the conflict in Syria and Salisbury nerve agent incident in 2018
RBSL (the UK-based JV between Rheinmetall and BAE Systems) has received a contract worth more than £16 million ($20.67 million) from UK MoD Defence Equipment and Support for sustainment of Fuchs 1 6x6 CBRN vehicles in service with the British Army.
A total of 11 ex-Bundeswehr vehicles were supplied to the UK in 1990 to support CBRN operations during the First Gulf War.
After receiving a mid-life upgrade in 2003, they were temporarily retired in 2012 but subsequently recommissioned in 2016 to counter the resurgent CBRN threat, Shephard Defence Insight notes.
Nine vehicles (plus a training simulator) remain in service with the specialist Falcon Squadron for British Army CBRN. The vehicles will be upgraded to address CBRN equipment-related obsolescence and safety modernisation issues, by integrating the latest generation of sensor technologies.
The simulator will also be updated and sustained under this latest contract.
RBSL will fulfil the contract at its facility in Telford, with involvement from its UK supply chain. A new service concept will also be introduced.
Col Tim Chapman, Assistant Head of Counter-CBRN at Army HQ, said in a 7 October statement: ‘The provision of world class Area Surveillance and Reconnaissance (AS&R) capability is a cornerstone of the UK’s Defence C-CBRN policy, which seeks to avoid the hazard, protect the force and preserve fighting power in order to maintain operational freedom of action post a CBRN incident.’
He added: ‘The contract will ensure this vital capability is updated and maintained, providing reassurance to allies and partners whilst bolstering our deterrence to would-be aggressors.’
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![FNSS advances Indonesian Kaplan APC programme as local production expands]()
FNSS advances Indonesian Kaplan APC programme as local production expands
FNSS and PT Pindad are progressing the Indonesian tracked armoured personnel carrier programme as local production gets under way.
-
![Tulpar firing trials expand Hitfact Mk II platform options]()
Tulpar firing trials expand Hitfact Mk II platform options
Firing trials of the Tulpar and Leonardo Hitfact Mk II combination follow an integration programme covering mechanical, electrical, electronic and software interfaces.
-
![How to breach a minefield: from traditional systems to modern techniques in action]()
How to breach a minefield: from traditional systems to modern techniques in action
The news from Ukraine has again shown that antitank minefields and other obstacles on the battlefield, such as deep trenches, can play a key role in both offensive and defensive operations. Given this, there will always be a need to clear them, both during and after a conflict.
-
![British Army's open plan draws diverse offerings for Land Rover replacement]()
British Army's open plan draws diverse offerings for Land Rover replacement
The UK Ministry of Defence has avoided being prescriptive in its search to replace the British Army’s Land Rover, meaning vehicle types being offered range from Land Rover Defender Wolf II and Humvee to the hybrid series Fering Pioneer. What does this mean for the procurement process?
-
![DVD 2026: British Army’s Ajax back in the hands of users as part of a gradual return]()
DVD 2026: British Army’s Ajax back in the hands of users as part of a gradual return
The introduction of Ajax vehicles into British Army service was stopped after operator health issues were reported during an exercise, but manufacturer General Dynamics Land Systems UK believes work over the past 10 months has dealt with the problems.
-
![Europe commits to long-range fires but countries move in different directions]()
Europe commits to long-range fires but countries move in different directions
Sweden, Croatia and France are pursuing different rocket artillery solutions as European armies seek greater reach, survivability and industrial resilience.
