Cook Defence Systems is track supplier of choice at DSEI 2019

The Company, which has just completed a £5m investment in a new manufacturing facility in County Durham, is the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of track and running gear for armoured vehicles. It is the sole supplier of track systems to the British Army, several other armies worldwide, and global armoured vehicle manufacturers.

Its safety-critical track systems featured on a number of major new armoured fighting vehicles unveiled at Defence and Security Equipment International in London.

General Dynamics Land Systems UK demonstrated the AJAX family of vehicles, which it is supplying to the British Army in a £4.5bn programme. The AJAX (pictured in the ATHENA variant) is fitted with TR40 503FS lightweight tracks from Cook Defence Systems and is described as being at the forefront of technology and survivability and the vehicle of choice for British Army soldiers on operations.

Otokar, a supplier of NATO and the United Nations, exhibited its Tulpar armoured tracked vehicle, which it said is designed to meet current and future needs of modern armed forces. The vehicle is fitted with TR30 222TB tracks from Cook Defence Systems and according to Otokar can operate in a wide range of challenging terrains and climate conditions with superior mobility and high levels of protection.

The Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land joint venture showed for the first time the upgraded Challenger 2, part of a Ministry of Defence project to extend the life of the main battle tank until 2035. The Queen’s Royal Hussars tank regiment said they were “deeply impressed” with the heavily armoured and highly mobile vehicle, which is fitted with TR60 414FS tracks from Cook Defence Systems.

Lockheed Martin UK displayed a Warrior armoured fighting vehicle with “game-changing capability”. The vehicle, which is fitted with TR30 201TB tracks from Cook Defence Systems, is part of the Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme and last month successfully completed 20 battlefield missions, a key milestone for the project.

Cook Defence Systems, part of the William Cook group, has just completed a £5m investment at its manufacturing facility in Stanhope to secure the British Army’s supply chain for track systems for the next generation of armoured vehicles. The investment has created a number of highly skilled jobs and secured many more in Wearside in the North East of England.

Mr William Cook, group commercial director at William Cook, said: “The six new and upgraded armoured vehicles showcased at DSEI this week are testament to Cook Defence Systems’ position as the world’s leading independent designer and manufacturer of track systems for armoured vehicles.

“Our role in the AJAX, Warrior CSP and Challenger 2 LEP programmes in particular highlights our commitment to maintaining a strategic on-shore supply chain for the British Army’s tracks; a critical battle-winning consumable.

“This is why we are investing so heavily in our advanced manufacturing capabilities and our highly skilled workforce in the North East of England.”