Non-Subscriber Extract
UK MoD prepares to resuscitate MARS Tanker programme
By Richard Scott
27 October 2009
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is gearing up to resurrect its MARS (Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability) Tanker programme a little over six months after abandoning an earlier Fleet Tanker acquisition effort.
In a notice issued on 6 October, the Defence Acquisition and Support (DE&S) organisation's Afloat Support (AfSup) directorate launched a prequalification phase for interested industry parties, and, at the same time, revealed that it had broadened the scope of possible solutions. An industry day is scheduled for 4 November, with prequalification questionnaires (PQQs) due for return no later than 4 December 2009.
The previous Fleet Tanker acquisition programme was launched in 2007, with BVT Surface Fleet (teamed with BMT Defence Services and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering), Fincantieri, Hyundai Heavy Industries and Navantia in 2008 shortlisted for the construction of up to six new tankers to enter service with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) from 2013. A contract award was planned for mid-2009.