An industry event will be held in South Wales next week that aims to connect companies and organisations around the country with the UK’s lucrative defence supply chain.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced earlier this year that the UK will rejoin the Boxer programme and explore options to equip the British Army with the 8x8 troop carriers to modernise its vehicle fleet and meet the army’s Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (MIV) requirement.

The assessment phase for the MIV programme, which is due to conclude in 2019, will consider the benefits of different manufacturing locations and supply chains for Boxer, as well as value for money.

The aim is to have the first vehicles in service with the British Army in 2023.

In an effort to ensure that Welsh companies can compete for contracts to manufacture some of the vehicle sub-systems, Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns is leading a call for organisations to sign up to Artec’s industry event at the University of Wales’s Treforest Campus on 10 September.

He said: “The defence sector supports thousands of jobs and millions of pounds of investment in Wales.

“The Artec industry day provides an opportunity for Welsh businesses to capitalise on the supply-chain opportunities presented by the Boxer programme and the wider defence sector.

“The experience they will gain from it will give them the additional credentials needed to help springboard them into other markets, and I encourage them to take full advantage.”

The UK played a major role in the original design, development and testing of the Boxer, and it would re-assume the rights it had as a project partner if a deal was to go through — allowing the option for the vehicle to be built in — and exported from — the UK.

The deal could see the Boxer assembled in the UK, mainly using British-made parts.

Artec, the consortium which manufactures the Boxer vehicle, already has an established UK footprint. Its planned investment is expected to secure or create at least 1,000 jobs in the UK, including in Wales.

As part of the programme, the UK is also expected to see substantial inward investment from Rheinmetall, one of Artec’s parent companies, which signalled its intention to launch a production and integration centre for armoured vehicles in the UK.

Those wishing to attend the event can register on the Web site (www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/boxer-supplier-engagement-event-september-2018-tickets-48442903027?aff=es2).