Bulldog

14 Mar 2007

Upgraded FV430s prove their value to the British Army in Iraq

Overview

BAE Systems is the design authority of the FV430 series in service with the British Army

Contract in 2005 valued £80million to upgrade 500 vehicles with new powertrain which offers;

improved speed and performance

improved mobility

improved reliability x 20

Performance

BAE Systems hit its FV430 upgrade programme target for 2006 when it completed delivery of the first 130 Mk3 Bulldogs in December. Several of the Bulldog armoured fighting vehicles are already in theatre in Iraq and are performing exceptionally well.

The customer is highly satisfied as Lt Col David Eadie from the British Army confirmed: "The vehicles are fitted with everything they should be fitted with and are very, very good news for us". With the first 130 vehicles delivered, the conversion programme to upgrade the powertrain of 500 FV430 Mk2s remains ahead of schedule and is progressing well

Key Facts

• Up-armoured, upgraded FV430 has been designated Bulldog by the British Army
• Royal Green Jackets Battalion (newly formed up as the Rifles) based at Basra Palace is the first unit to use the Bulldogs on operations.
• Royal Green Jackets spent a month in Caterick, N.Yorkshire last year learning to drive the vehicles before they deployed to theatre in early November last year
• Bulldog provides enhanced protection over the Snatch Land Rovers it has replaced on the streets of Basra. It has become the vehicle of choice for carrying out patrols in the city
• Bulldog is used both day and night to patrol the streets of Basra returning only for refuelling, crew change and any maintenance.