Published 17 June 2020.

The MOD have signed a £26.7m contract with British company EP Barrus to supply and maintain outboard and inboard motors fitted to the MOD’s small boats fleet.

The MOD have awarded a £26.7 million contract to supply and maintain outboard and inboard motors fitted to the MOD’s small boats fleet.

The Oxfordshire-based company, EP Barrus, secured the seven-year contract for the upkeep, update and supply of engines fitted to more than 1,100 craft.

The contract will support boats within the current MOD in-service fleet for craft under 25 metres, including Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs), the Mexeflote landing-raft system powered by the Thrustmaster propulsion unit, workboats, and planned future craft.

James Melia, Project Manager for DE&S Boats Team, said:

“Boats are an essential capability of the UK Armed Forces and are used for many different operations around the world ensuring that our Navy has the reach it needs to protect our interests around the globe.

“We are committed to ensuring that engines are effectively managed through every stage of their life cycle and our partnership with EP Barrus will provide critical support to this.

“DE&S is proud to maintain excellent working relationships with EP Barrus, a valued industry supplier and we look forward to continuing to work together to support our front line with the equipment they need while also maintaining vital British skills and jobs.”

Over the seven years the contract will support operations in the UK and overseas involving the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army, Ministry of Defence Police, and Cadets.

The contract will support approximately 40 jobs within Barrus’s Engineering Centre, and secure future roles for young engineering students and the company’s graduate engineering intake programme in Oxfordshire. In addition, around 80 jobs across the UK supply chain will benefit from the contract.

Defence Minister Jeremy Quin said:

“Our maritime industry continues to grow from strength to strength. This contract will secure an essential capability for our Armed Forces and support over 40 quality engineering jobs in Bicester, plus many more throughout the UK.”