DVD, a major event in the Defence calendar, expanded its reach this year to encompass clothing, medical and general supplies, food, fuels and test equipment as well as vehicles.
“DVD offers a unique opportunity to trial military vehicles for another year at the excellent facilities at Millbrook Proving Ground as shown by our photography of the event” said Dr. Anthony Mc Donagh-Smith, CEO SAE-UK.org and Editor of DefenceIntegration.org
This year's DVD industry day was the most popular to date, with more than 5000 visitors attending the event to learn about the latest developments in the provision of vehicles, equipment and supplies to frontline troops. DVD 2008, hosted by the Specialist Utility Vehicles Integrated Project Team (SUV IPT) of Defence Equipment and Support at the MOD, was the most comprehensive so far, with eight teams, including Defence Food Services, Medical and General Supplies, Defence Fuels Group, Defence Clothing, Deployable Support and Test Equipment and General Support Vehicles and Battlefield Infrastructure, there to interact with industry and do business.
“The tremendous success of this year's event shows just how valuable the exchange of knowledge and ideas is to our suppliers and their customers,” said Nigel Gilhead, SUV IPT Team Leader. “Almost every aspect of using, maintaining and loading vehicles was covered, alongside a vast range of transportable supplies. It's a unique opportunity for the defence community and will certainly lead to more effective frontline operations.”

Minister for Defence Equipment and Supplies, Baroness Ann Taylor, unveiled Ridgback, a new heavily armoured patrol vehicle, announcing that soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan will soon have access to 157 Ridgback vehicles. The new vehicles will help to protect troops from roadside bombs and landmines, and represent a further £150m MoD investment in the provision of protected patrol vehicles to UK forces.
"There is no such thing as absolute protection, but we have got to provide the best range of equipment,” said Baroness Taylor. "I am always looking for the newest technology to address the ever-changing threats, and offer the greatest protection, mobility and firepower while giving our commanders the choice of vehicles they need to carry out the tasks they face."
The new Ridgback is based on the proven Cougar 4x4, a smaller, more agile version of the Mastiff, which currently operates in urban fringe and rural environments. The similarity between the vehicles will allow troops to benefit from the support and training already in place for Mastiff, ensuring a smooth integration with patrol vehicles currently in the field.