William Cook wins order to supply Ajax fighting vehicle

Cook Defence Systems will supply the track system for AJAX, which will be the most advanced armoured vehicle in the world when it comes into service in 2019.  The 589 AJAX vehicles are being delivered by General Dynamics Land Systems-UK.

The contract with General Dynamics European Land Systems, which is a sub-contractor on the AJAX programme, will run until 2023.

It is the second successful announcement for Cook Defence Systems in recent months. In November 2015, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon visited the company to announce a £70m, four-year deal to support the Army’s existing armoured vehicles.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “This company has a long and proud tradition of providing track for British armoured vehicles, having done so since the Second World War.  This contract follows on from the £70 million I announced when I visited William Cook group last year. It is part of our £178 billion equipment plan, backed by a growing Defence budget.”

William Cook, General Manager, said: ‘We won this contract despite stiff international competition. I am pleased that we can help deliver the very best for the British’.

Cook Defence Systems is part of the William Cook group, a Sheffield steelmaker which traces its history back to 1840 and whose factories have manufactured tracks and armour for British tanks since the Second World War.

The company prides itself on being the world’s leading independent designer and manufacturer of tracks for armoured vehicles.

In September 2014, the Ministry of Defence placed a £3.5 billion order for 589 new AJAX armoured fighting vehicles, which will be Assembled, Integrated and Tested in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales by General Dynamics Land Systems-UK.