WFEL Expects Further Indonesian Bridge Contract

WFEL Single storey Medium Girder Bridges (photo : WFEL)

Indonesia is in discussions with WFEL with regards to purchasing more Medium Girder Bridges following a contract for one in January.

The rapidly deployed tactical bridge for the Indonesian armed forces is due to be delivered in March 2013, and the contract is worth £3 million, Max Houghton, sales and marketing director for the company toldShephard at the DSA 2012 exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 16 April.

'We're currently in discussions with Indonesia for a few more,' Houghton explained. 'Our systems are designed for the military but used in disaster relief. If the military can't afford it, they say it has a dual use.'

He explained that in a Brunei white paper released last year it stated that the military did not want to buy solely for civilian or solely for military use, and this appears to be a trend in the region. 'The real challenge is getting the budget and the requirement. They are designed for the military but used in disaster relief.'

Brunei is a customer for WFEL, along with South Korea, Thailand and Japan, with the latter using the bridge after the earthquakes last year.

'Rapidly deployable bridges are a way of getting supplies and relief trucks to people cut off,' Houghton explained.

'We'd like Japan to buy more; we know the Japanese are looking to double their bridge holding.
'Australia have also started a bridging procurement programme, Land 155,' he continued, and said that this is due to begin next year.

The company's Dry Support Bridge has some $600 million of sales in the US, and was purchased by the Swiss armed forces in December 2011 under a £57 million contract. The UK also purchased a new Medium Girder 18 months ago.

(Shephard)