STANHOPE COMPANY ON TRACK AFTER NEW CONTRACT AWARDED
THE Stanhope company that makes tank tracks is set to provide spare parts to the British Army as
part of a new multi-million-pound deal.
Cook Defence Systems, in Bondisle, Stanhope, has signed a new agreement with the Ministry of
Justice to supply spare tracks for the army’s armoured fighting vehicles. The three-year deal, which
will “sustain” 125 jobs, was announced on Monday on a visit to the factory by Armed Forces Minister
Luke Pollard MP. It will see the company supplying spare parts for all the army’s principal combat
vehicles including its new Challenger 3 tanks, the army’s “main battle tank for the future”.
Cook Defence Systems has played a vital role in the UK’s support of Ukraine amid the ongoing
conflict with Russia, supporting donated British armoured fighting vehicles.
The firm remains one of the world-leading independent designer and manufacturer of track
systems for armoured vehicles. It is also the main manufacturer of spare tracks for the Soviet-era
vehicles used by the Ukrainian Army.
Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard MP said: “This contract not only strengthens our
Army’s warfighting capability but helps sustain hundreds of skilled jobs in the North East.
“It’s a clear example of the defence dividend – this Government’s historic increase in defence
spending supporting high-skilled jobs across the UK, part of the Plan for Change.
“This investment is a clear example of the defence dividend where higher defence spending,
spent with British firms, supports good, well-paid skilled jobs nationwide. The war in Ukraine has
taught us that a military is only as strong as the industry behind it.
“That’s why we’re investing more in our own forces and working with UK industry to scale up
production, support our allies, and secure long-term national resilience.”
William Cook, director of Cook Defence Systems, added: “As the only British designer and
manufacturer of track systems for fighting vehicles, Cook Defence Systems is critical to the
operational independence of the British Army and allied forces. This latest contract directly supports
125 jobs at Cook Defence Systems and underpins £5m of investment in new plant and machinery
over the next twelve months.
“Our core relationship with the UK MOD is the foundation of our export success, with Cook
Defence Systems currently supplying British allies in Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.”
The new agreement comes as part of a wider defence investment and builds on the
recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review, published in June, and the upcoming Defence
Industrial Strategy.
The UK is continuing to ramp up its acquisition of ammunition, drones, and combat spares in
response to lessons learned from Ukraine, whilst continuing to support the country.
The announcement also supports the Government’s plan for change.
