Dockyard signs £30m MoD contract

The MoD hopes the vehicles will be with UK troops early next year

A £30m contract has been signed with the Ministry of Defence by Devonport Management Limited (DML), in Plymouth, to build new patrol vehicles.

DML, which operates Devonport Dockyard, has been commissioned to build a number of mobility weapon-mounted installation kit vehicles.

They have a top speed of 80mph and can be fitted with a range of firepower, including machine guns and launchers.

It is hoped the vehicles will be ready for troops in Afghanistan by next year.

The MoD said the patrol vehicles offered better protection and mobility for UK troops.

Lord Drayson, Minister of State for Defence Equipment and Support, said: "These vehicles are well armed, swift, and agile.

"They will boost our capability with some serious firepower."

Each vehicle can carry up to three soldiers and can go off road.

DML has also recently been awarded a separate contract for a number of military enhancement programme vehicles.