General Dynamics UK hosted Edwina Hart, Welsh Government Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, on a visit to its Oakdale site yesterday.

The Minister visited for a briefing on the SCOUT Specialist Vehicle (SV), which General Dynamics UK is developing for the British Army.

It was the Minister’s first visit to the company’s Oakdale 2 facility, the home of SCOUT SV, and she took the opportunity to tour the building and meet with employees delivering the programme.

General Dynamics UK invested £12m in the facility to establish Oakdale as a first-rate Armoured Fighting Vehicle design and engineering centre, and it was inaugurated Carwyn Jones AM, the First Minister of Wales, in December 2012.

A core component of Future Force 2020 for the British Army, SCOUT SV will offer unparalleled protection, weight and agility for a vehicle of its class, along with the most advanced Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities on a single platform.

During her visit, Edwina Hart said: “Visiting General Dynamics UK today, I could clearly see the enthusiasm and dedication of its highly-skilled employees who are delivering SCOUT SV, a vehicle that will provide world-leading capabilities to the British Army in the decades ahead. As one of our leading Anchor Companies, we will continue to support General Dynamics UK, wherever possible, to ensure that it can continue to deliver cutting-edge programmes such as SCOUT SV. Wales is proud to be the home of SCOUT SV.”

Kevin Connell, vice president at General Dynamics UK - Land Systems, said: “We are delighted the Minister was able to visit today and meet the team delivering SCOUT SV. Everyone at General Dynamics UK is committed to delivering an armoured vehicle for the British Army that is unrivalled in weight, agility and protection for a vehicle of its class. We thank the Minister for her ongoing support, and that of the Welsh Government.”