Armoured vehicles boom.

Byline: By Graeme King

The former Vickers tank factory on Scotswood Road in Newcastle is in line to benefit from a boom period in the armoured vehicle market, says owner BAE Systems.

A recent report that an order for BAE Tactica vehicles would be fulfilled in South Africa seemed to be at odds with the company's pledge to base such work in Newcastle, and led to queries as to the company's intentions.

BAE refuses to comment on the Tactica order, citing customer confidentiality, but has indicated that the Scotswood Road factory is busy and strong demand in the armoured vehicle market should keep it that way.

Industry magazine Jane's Defence Weekly has reported that BAE has won a "several hundred million dollar" contract to supply its Tactica vehicles to the Saudi government ( and suggested that this work would be carried out at BAE's Land Systems OMC subsidiary in Johannesburg.

The Tactica was originally an Alvis vehicle, built in Telford in Staffordshire, and when BAE closed that plant, the company said its workload would be transferred to Newcastle.

BAE has refused to say exactly where the Saudi vehicles will be built, the only indication being that the company will decide which plant to use based on which has spare capacity at that time.

A spokesman for BAE Systems Land Systems, said: "Whilst we cannot comment on this particular story, there is large and growing demand for armoured vehicles across the world and that bodes well for Newcastle.

"Jane's suggestion (of the Saudi Tacticas being built in South Africa) is speculation."

The Tactica vehicles are said to be needed by the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) for use in internal security work.

The Land Systems OMC factory in Johannesburg is known for mine-protected vehicles such as the Mamba and Casspir, but does not currently boast the Tactica as part of its range.

Mine protected vehicles are in demand because of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Meanwhile with the UK MoD's Future Rapid Effects System (FRES) programme gearing up to get under way in the coming months, the BAE factory on Scotswood Road is expected to play a significant role in delivering the 3,000 vehicles required.