Don't mind the gap: Army to get new Challenger 3-capable General Support Bridges

The British Army's battlefield mobility will be boosted following the award of a £150m contract for a new General Support Bridge.

Stockport-based company KNDS UK (Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Nexter) will be delivering the bridges, securing 300 jobs in the North West.

Each General Support Bridge is able to extend out to 46 metres, the length of five buses, and can take the Army's incoming Challenger 3 main battle tank, which weighs 66 tonnes.

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The bridge can be used to cross both wet and dry gaps, enabling the safe movement of personnel and equipment across the battlefield.

Having a secure bridge will also help to ensure the resupply of forward fighting elements as well as humanitarian aid in disaster relief situations.

The General Support Bridge will be replacing the Royal Engineers' BR90 Able system and will be interoperable with other Nato bridging systems, meaning resources can be shared between nations during joint exercises and deployments.

Defence Procurement Minister James Cartlidge said: "This is a fantastic example of this Government... investing in UK industry and delivering world-class bridging capabilities to our Armed Forces."

The General Support Bridge contract is part of Project Tyro, which aims to enhance the mobility of future Armoured Brigade Combat Teams and equipment across gaps in the terrain.

The Tyro General Support Bridge system is expected to be one of the world's most technically advanced, rapidly deployable military bridges and will be mounted on Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicle HX2 tactical trucks.