UK Trials Prototypes for FRES Programme

The British Army is trialling three prototypes of new battlefield armoured vehicles as part of its Future Rapid Effective System (FRES).

The FRES programme will develop medium-weight armoured vehicles which will provide high levels of protection and will be air-transportable.

Lord Drayson, Minister of State for Defence Equipment and Support, says the trials are a 'significant step forward' for the programme.

The three designs are the Boxer, by the Dutch-German ARTEC consortium, the Piranha, a Mowag design by General Dynamics and the VBCI, by French company Nexter.

The designs will be evaluated by technical experts and soldiers over the coming month.

The winner, to be announced in November, will be further developed to meet the Army's future needs.