Gloucester-based cyber security company, Ascentor, will play a pivotal role supporting ARTEC to develop secure information technology components, for the next generation of BOXER Mechanised Infantry Vehicles.
This work is critical to safeguarding the MOD’s information and our military personnel serving in the field.
ARTEC, a joint venture between Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall, will supply over 500 BOXER vehicles to the UK army. The contract was awarded by OCCAR, an international organisation responsible for cooperative defence equipment programmes. The vast majority of vehicles will be manufactured by the UK-based companies Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL, a Rheinmetall/BAE Systems Joint Venture) and WFEL (a KMW subsidiary).
There will be four different ‘build configurations’ based on a common platform already in operation in Germany, the Netherlands and Lithuania. An established supplier to Rheinmetall and RBSL, Ascentor will be responsible for platform information assurance and defence accreditation – the tasks and activities required to minimise the risks of classified information being compromised.
The contract will run to the end of 2023 and represents a strategic triumph for Ascentor, a small-medium enterprise (SME) with a long track record in the military information security market. Ascentor is an active participant in the vibrant local cyber community, renowned for the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) and National Cyber Security Centre, and future home of Cyber Central, a cyber security and innovation centre of excellence due to open in 2023.
Ascentor’s Managing Director, Dave James, commented: “We have worked long and hard to establish strong relationships and a solid reputation with Rheinmetall and ARTEC, so this is an excellent result for us and the local community. It also sends a positive message to the UK SME community that key positions on major programmes are out there and can be won.”
Background information
Founded in 2004, Ascentor is wholly owned by EMB Group. A mid-sized, East Midlands-based company, EMB helps organisations drive business resilience, efficiency and profitability through cyber security, UKAS-accredited certifications and government-funded business improvement projects.
Established in Düsseldorf in 1889, Rheinmetall is Europe’s foremost supplier of defence and security technology. The company designs, manufactures and supports military vehicles.
Munich-based ARTEC GmbH was founded in 1999. It is a joint venture of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, Rheinmetall Landsysteme and Rheinmetall Military Vehicles Nederland. ARTEC is the prime contractor responsible for the BOXER development programme for Germany, the Netherlands, Lithuania and the United Kingdom.
For further information, please contact the team at Ascentor.
T: 01452 881712
