The Ministry of Defence has confirmed a single-source contract worth £30 million with Van Kappel Ltd for the repair, remanufacture, and maintenance of ESW Challenger 2 Auxiliary Power Units (APUs), according to a press release.
Babcock Land Defence Limited, acting as the MoD’s agent, announced that Van Kappel Ltd is “the only supplier with the specific know-how, STTE and ownership of the bespoke OEM designed APU Test Set and associated tooling.”
Consequently, the agreement will proceed under Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011, which allows for a negotiated procedure without prior publication on technical grounds.
The contract covers the ongoing support of Challenger 2 APUs, including repairs and remanufacturing of units, and is designed to maintain operational efficiency and interoperability.
According to the award notice, the MoD “is not in a position to be able to identify the exact technical requirements” for this specialised equipment, contributing to the decision to rely exclusively on Van Kappel Ltd.
The notice clarifies it is “not a request for expression of interest,” confirming that negotiations will be restricted to the named supplier. The arrangement is expected to preserve the Challenger 2’s core capabilities by ensuring its auxiliary power systems remain functional and securely integrated with the main platform.
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So I know what APUs are for on aircraft, sane for tanks??
Allows stuff like radios, sighting systems, night vision, turret power etc to run without using the main engine. Saves wasting fuel, making lots of noise, reduced heat signature etc.
Silly me!
I thought ALL our Challenger 2s were being converted to 3s by (spits) Rheinmetall.
Most, but until they upgraded to Challenger 3s they remain Challenger 2s.
It’s going to be a while for the final challenger 2 to leave front line service..not until 2030 probably.
It is good news as it means we are not running down CH2 maintenance and groping it while waiting for CH3
I suppose the same sets will be used in ch3 as well as ch2?
AA
I do hope the Government will reconsider CH3 numbers as some commentary is pointing to the importance of the MBT on the modern battlefield. Though many MBT’s have been lost on both sides in Ukraine the heavy tank is still the only method of attack across land obstacles and in urban areas. They may visually change considerably with tutel-like additional protection (which allegedly is being considered on UK tanks) thus making them heavier and strange-looking machines. Britain does not have a realistic MBT force and the US may identify this as a weakness, which requires a major rethink? To support US tank fleets in Europe they must consider the UK as a principal military player and Trump’s obvious concerns over Germany’s and France’s commitment to growing their defences, may place the UK in an awkward position. Regardless of how the war in Ukraine progresses the existing tensions in this area are not going anywhere in the short/medium terms which places defence spending as a priority. Trump will waste little time in pressing home his agenda on issues of NATO member expenditure/commitment and the possibilities of reduced US support. The UK may face greater defence costs due to Trump’s policies regardless, of which route he chooses to take…….piggy in the middle comes to mind.
Hi Maurice.
I think, at the most, the third Regiment of Ch2 could be reprieved, and not convert to Ajax.
That will be made clear in the SDR and Project Wavell, if it ever reports and we see it in its entirety.
Any further expansion of Tank numbers is highly unlikely.
And I’d prefer the money spent on the RA, AD, and other enablers.
The best tank in the world snafu’d by the buromob.
With proper anti tank Drones instead of these cobbled together barbarians ones all tanks better beware.
🫶✌️
The ESW is a more modern Perkins engine with a different generator, ancillaries and ECU. Loss for Babcock as they used to refurbish the CRARRV APU’s which are very similar, this was a legacy ABRO contract which they probably still have. Often shortage of ESW service items -rocker breather valve and stainless gauze, oil pressure inhibit switches were source of no-start trouble.