UK MoD moves closer to FRES-SV decision

The UK MoD is expected to select and award contracts in the first quarter of 2010 for the Future Rapid Effect System - Specialist Vehicle (FRES-SV), which has a total potential value of up to GBP4 billion (USD6.5 billion).

FRES-SV aims to replace the currently deployed Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) (CVR[T]) family of light armoured vehicles, the first example of which entered service with the British Army as far back as 1973.

The first part of FRES-SV to enter service will be Recce Block 1 (RB1), which is expected to be worth up to GBP2 billion and cover the supply of about 600 vehicles out of the total FRES-SV requirement for about 1,200 units.

All of these FRES-SVs will be tracked and there are only two contractors bidding for the contract: BAE Systems Global Combat Systems, with the CV90 Recce, and General Dynamics UK with a further development of the ASCOD 2.

RB1 includes FRES – Scout, armed with the 40 mm Cased Telescope Armament System CTAS (also mandated for the Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme upgrade); an armoured personnel carrier (to replace the current Spartan); plus equipment support repair and equipment recovery variants (the latter to replace the current Samson).

Of the 600 units in RB1, it is expected that about 245 will be in the Scout version, the replacement for the currently deployed Scimitar, which entered service with the British Army as far back as 1974.