Barrus is awarded a new seven-year contract by the MoD

Published on: 08/06/2020

Barrus is proud to announce that the company has signed their acceptance of a new seven-year contract with the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD), ‘for the delivery of engine support to maintain the capability of MoD boats’.

The scope of the contract covers the supply, overhaul, and repair of all outboard engines, Yanmar inboard diesel engines, and related post-design services and in-service support.

The contract covers support to approximately 1100 boats within the current MoD in-service fleet for craft under 25 metres, including Inflatables and 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.”

“The award of this prestigious contract is recognition of Barrus’s reputation as the leading custom-engine builder,” commented Robert Glen, Chairman, E. P. Barrus Ltd. “Our Research & Development Team work closely with the MoD to understand their specific requirements, and, utilising the latest technological advancements deliver engineering solutions that match the demanding operating conditions of their in-service craft.”

Barrus has a long-standing partnership with the MoD spanning over 75-years. The first Post Immersion Restart Engines (PIRS), were introduced to the MoD back in the late 1970s. ThePIRS® System drains water from the engine allowing it to be rapidly restarted following submersion. Over the years, Barrus has developed derivatives of the PIRS® patented technologies including the latest GEN 2 FAST PIRS®, a simpler, more durable and cost-effective FAST PIRS®, and Capsize PIRS®, a four-stroke adaptation.

In addition to PIRS®engines, Barrus will be supplying the latest Mariner mine hunting outboard engines and SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) certified engines 15hp to 150hp, an exclusive in the industry.

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

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

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.”

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