Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles UK to Deliver 500 HX PLS Trucks to British Army

Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles UK to Deliver 500 HX PLS Trucks to British Army

(IN BRIEF) Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles UK (RMMV UK) has secured a £282 million contract to deliver 500 HX 8×8 Palletised Load System (PLS) trucks to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) under the Rapid Procurement framework. The contract, awarded within a swift seven-month period from initial discussions, will see RMMV UK provide the trucks to the British Army within three months of the contract award. These versatile vehicles will play a crucial role in supporting the British Army’s operational activities, efficiently transporting essential supplies to operational locations. The HX PLS trucks represent an advancement in logistics capabilities, with improved vehicle protection and enhanced carrying capacity.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜSSELDORF, 6-Feb-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Rheinmetall AG (ETR: RHM), a German integrated technology group active in the automotive and defence industries, announces that Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles UK (RMMV UK) has been awarded a significant contract worth £282 million (€330 million) under the Rapid Procurement framework. The contract entails the delivery of 500 HX 8×8 Palletised Load System (PLS) trucks to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).

This milestone contract was executed within an impressive seven-month timeframe from initial discussions, highlighting the rapid acquisition process. RMMV UK is set to deliver this vital capability to the British Army within three months of contract award. At present, 320 vehicles are undergoing modifications to meet UK specifications at RMMV UK’s facility in Doncaster, with an additional 180 units scheduled for supply by March 31, 2024. The PLS trucks will play a pivotal role in supporting the British Army’s operational activities, including transporting essential logistics such as ammunition, food, water, and support materials to operational locations.

Rebecca Richards, Managing Director of RMMV UK, expressed satisfaction with the swift acquisition process, stating, “We are pleased to deliver under the Rapid Acquisition Process, working collaboratively with our customer to contract this key capability and first delivery to the British Army within seven months. The enhanced transport capability that the trucks provide will increase the user’s agility and responsiveness, with significant protection, all within an accelerated time frame.”

Major General Darren Crook, Director of the Land Equipment Operating Centre for Defence, Equipment & Support (DE&S), expressed delight at the speed of contract execution, saying, “I’m delighted that together with industry that we have been able to turn around this contract from conception, through approvals to contract award and first delivery, in just seven months.”

RMMV UK has diligently prepared for the program and assembled the fleet at their Doncaster site in the UK ahead of delivery to ensure that the trucks are ready within three months of contract award. These versatile trucks are initially manufactured at Rheinmetall’s global production facility in Vienna before being converted to meet the agreed UK specifications at RMMV UK’s Doncaster facility.

The HX truck series represents the NATO logistics backbone, fostering interoperability among user nations. With more than 20,000 HX trucks currently in service worldwide across NATO countries and European customers, including Germany, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, the addition of 500 HX PLS trucks to the British Army bolsters this in-service fleet and expands the existing HX presence in the UK.

The RMMV HX PLS truck represents an advancement over the original UK fleet currently in service with the British Army, offering enhanced capabilities. The next-generation HX truck features improved vehicle protection with a fully integrated armored cab, increased carrying capacity, an improved drive train, and updated electronic architecture.

The HX PLS truck is capable of loading and unloading up to 16.5 tonnes of equipment without the operator needing to exit the cabin. This innovation provides a faster, safer, and more efficient method for transporting supplies on the battlefield, facilitating enhanced interoperability with other NATO nations.

Media contact:

Oliver Hoffmann
Head of Press and Public Relations
Phone: +49 211 473-4748
Fax: +49 211 473-4157

SOURCE: RHEINMETALL AG