UK MoD moves forward with MBT upgrades
– Horstman Group winds news UK MoD contract (Photo: Hortsman)
The UK MoD has awarded a new contract to Hortsman Group to deliver a newly refurbished and upgraded version of its third-generation Hydrogas suspension unit for MBTs.
On 15 November the UK subsidiary company of Renk Group, Hortsman, announced a new multi-million-pound contract to support the British Army’s armoured fleet.
As part of the Heavy Armour Automotive Improvement Programme (HAAIP), Horstman will provide an upgraded version of its Hydrogas external suspension.
Ian Pain, CEO of Hortsman Group, said: ‘This was a very competitive contract to win, and we are excited that we were able to secure it.’
He added: ‘This is testament to the engineering, project, and delivery teams who have worked hard through difficult times to prove the HAAIP concept and win this new work.’
Designed to support internal packaging constraints, overcome vulnerability to mine blast and crew exposure to fragmentations resulting from torsion bars, the capability will be fitted into new Challenger 3 MBTs, AS90, Terrier and Challenger Hydrogas vehicles.
This announcement follows a previously awarded contract for the German Army in October 2021 to provide immediate supply of its Hydrostruts suspension for Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicles.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![Eurosatory 2026: IDV expands with new Viking and CL2X UGV]()
Eurosatory 2026: IDV expands with new Viking and CL2X UGV
At Eurosatory 2026, uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) are front and centre of IDV’s display, with a new variant of the Viking and the new CL2X on show.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Robots rule as large and wheeled systems with articulated legs stand out]()
Eurosatory 2026: Robots rule as large and wheeled systems with articulated legs stand out
Dozens of uncrewed ground vehicles have been on display at Eurosatory 2026, with particularly notable platforms including VisionWave's Varan and Patria's planned uncrewed TRACKX.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: AM General’s Hawkeye gains traction as JLTV A2 targets 2027 FRP]()
Eurosatory 2026: AM General’s Hawkeye gains traction as JLTV A2 targets 2027 FRP
AM General’s Hawkeye adds a howitzer to a light vehicle as the company highlights strong interest in the system following an order from Kosovo, with demonstrations scheduled for a dozen countries.
