MORE than 250 Dorset jobs have been protected by a new deal to provide British Army equipment.

The government has announced a new five-year, £1.6 billion maintenance and spare parts contract for tanks, armoured vehicles and more with defence firm, Babcock.

The company, which has a base in Bovington, will cover military assets including Challenger 2 tanks, 105mm artillery guns and Trojan armoured vehicles.

As well as the 250-plus jobs in Dorset, more than 400 in Telford and 1,600 in total will be supported by the deal.

The Service Provision and Transformation Contract comes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer committed to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP.

Maintenance services will cover preventative maintenance, emergency repairs and spare parts management, the government said, as well as digital transformation to improve fleet management efficiency, keeping more vehicles and equipment primed for soldiers to use.

It comes amid a plans to boost the readiness of British Army combat vehicles comes as he nation leads planning efforts for a Coalition of Willing nations to help secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, said: “Tanks, armoured vehicles and kit are the backbone of the British Army.

“We are taking action to ensure the outstanding service men and women of our Armed Forces are properly equipped and ready to respond to ever-changing global threats.

“Supported by largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, this substantial investment with Babcock demonstrates how defence is an engine for growth: supporting businesses of all sizes and sustaining more than 1,600 good, well-paid jobs across Britain.”

Babcock chief executive officer, David Lockwood, said: “In a period of increased global instability, more is being expected of our armed forces. This contract extension ensures that Babcock continues to provide the British Army with the tools to do its job, when and wherever they are needed.

“Our know-how, application of technology and extensive experience in the land domain help ensure that the British Army is ready to fight and win wars.

“While the Land Integrated Operating Services programme places future contracts, this deal will also support approximately 6,000 UK businesses throughout the wider supply chain, as well as 200 apprentices.

“These apprenticeships will offer valuable training and development opportunities in fields such as HGV maintenance and automotive refinishing, providing career paths in the defence sector for the next generation of skilled workers.”

And MOD director land environment, Major General Lizzie Faithfull-Davies CBE, added: ”It has taken a lot of hard work to collaboratively deliver this SPTC Reframe contract amendment.

“I am delighted to renew our relationship with Babcock. With this amended contract, DE&S, the Army, and Babcock will now provide even better support to the in-Service platforms of our Armed forces; ensuring that the vehicles the Army will fight from are repaired, maintained, and ready whenever the Army need them.”

The work comes ahead of the Defence Industrial Strategy, which the administration says will bolster UK industry and provide more opportunities for defence to be an engine for economic growth.